Design Elements - Color
Color is the part of light that is reflected by the object we see.
Color appeals to children as well as adults.
The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. They are called primary
because they are not mixtures of other colors.
Mixing any two primary colors results in a secondary color.
The color wheel is created when the primary and secondary colors are placed
in a circle.
Colors directly across from each other on the color wheel are called
complementary colors.
Orange and blue are complementary colors
Yellow and violet are complementary colors
Red and green are complementary colors
Complementary colors used together provide extreme contrast.
When complementary colors are used together the resulting
image is difficult to look at for any length of time.
Less contrast is achieved by using every other color on
the color wheel, such as
blue, red, and yellow
orange, green, and violet.
More harmonious effects can be achieved by using colors that are
close together on the color wheel.
Another way to organize color is by color "temperature." Colors are either
"warm" or "cool."
Red, orange, and yellow are considered warm colors.
Blue, green, and violet are considered cool colors.
Color is the last design element.
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