COLOR THEORY

QUICK REFERENCE SHEET FOR DESIGNERS

Navigating the World of Color
with the Theory Wheel!

In the visual arts, color theory is the body of practical guidance for color mixing and the visual effects of a specific color combination. Color terminology based on the color wheel and its geometry separates colors into primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color.

ADDITIVE

CREATED WITH LIGT; START WITHBLACK. ADD COLOR, RGB

SUBTRATIVE

CREATED WITH INK; START WITH WHITE, ADD COLOR, CMYK

COLOR TYPES

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

TERTIARY

COMPLEMENTARY

ANALOGOUS

COLOR RELATIONSHIPS

Monochromatic

Complementary

Split Complementary

Double Complementary

Analogous

Traid

MEANINGS

RED: Intense, Fire & Blood, Energy, War, Bander, Love, Passionate, Strong.

BLUE: Sky, Sea, Depth, Stability, Trust, Masculine, Tranquil.

VIOLET: Royalty, Power, Nobility, Wealth, Ambition, Dignified, Mysterious.

YELLOW: Sunshine, Joy, Cheerfulness, Intellect, Energy, Attention-getter.

GREEN: Nature, Growth, Fertility, Freshness, Healing, Safety, Money

ORANGE: Warm, Stimulating, Enthusiasm, Happiness, Success, Creative, Autumn.

TERMS

CHROMA: How pure a hue is in relation to gray

SATURATION: The degree of purity of a hue

INTENSITY: The brigtness or dullness of a hue

LUMINANCE: A measure of the amount of light reflected from a hue 

SHADE: A hue produced by the addition of black

TINT: A hue produced by the additino of white

Indigo Breeze-BL 0678

Carbon Flint-J1423

Ink Grey-GA 6032

Smoke Grey-J1422

Blue Horizon-GA 6033

Grand Bay-GA 6034

WATER’S EDGE-J1421

Clear Sky-GA 6035

Mirage White-J1420

Thunder Cloud-GA 6026

Blue Lake-GA 6027

Granite-GA 6003

Voltage-GA 6028

Brook View-GA 6029

Bali Blue-GA 6030

Sensibility-GA 6031

Cool Crystal GA 6009

Raw Jute-WH 0143

Cream Pie-WH 0144

White Cameo-J1025

Sonnet-WH 0139

Harmony-J1024

Blossom Tint-WH 0140

South Pole-J1023

Mica Matte-WH 0136

Rain Drop-WH 0137

Love Song-WH 0138

Soft Glow-WH 0113

Snow Blush-J1022

Swan Wing-WH 0114

Milky Way-J1008

Pearl Star-WH 0115

Cotton Wool-WH 0116