Principles of colour
The principle of colour in art is a fundamental aspect of visual composition, encompassing
the use of colour to evoke emotions, convey meaning, and create visual impact within an
artwork. Artists harness the properties of hue, value, and saturation to establish mood,
atmosphere, and narrative within their compositions. Variations in colour harmony, achieved
through complementary, analogous, or triadic colour schemes, contribute to the overall
aesthetic appeal and coherence of the artwork. Contrast, both in terms of hue and value,
serves to emphasize focal points, define forms, and add dynamism to the composition.
Additionally, colours often carry symbolic associations and cultural meanings, allowing
artists to communicate ideas and themes through the subtle language of colour. By skillfully
manipulating colour, artists can evoke powerful emotional responses in viewers, enhancing
their engagement and interpretation of the artwork.
Hue
Hue refers to the attribute of colour that allows us to distinguish one colour from another on
the colour wheel. It's essentially the purest form of colour without any added tint or shade.
Colour Wheel: The colour wheel is a visual representation of hues arranged in a circular
format. It typically consists of primary colours (red, blue, yellow), secondary colours (orange,
green, violet), and tertiary colours (mixtures of primary and secondary colours). Each hue
occupies a distinct position on the colour wheel.
Primary Hues: Primary hues are the three basic colours from which all other colours are
derived: red, blue, and yellow. These hues cannot be created by mixing other colours
together.
Secondary Hues: Secondary hues are created by mixing equal parts of two primary hues
together. For example, mixing red and blue produces violet, mixing blue and yellow produces
green, and mixing yellow and red produces orange.
Tertiary Hues: Tertiary hues are produced by mixing a primary hue with a neighboring
secondary hue on the colour wheel. This results in colours like red-orange, yellow-green,
blue-violet, etc.
Value
The value of a colour can be arranged on a scale from white (high value) to black (low
value). Intermediate values are shades of gray or the variations in lightness or darkness of a
particular hue.
Form and Depth: In art, value is used to create the illusion of form and depth. By varying
the value, artists can depict light and shadow, giving a three-dimensional appearance to a
two-dimensional surface.
Colour Harmony and Balance: Balancing values within a composition can achieve
harmony and visual interest. A well-balanced range of values can guide the viewer’s eye
through the artwork or design.
Emotion and Atmosphere: Different values can evoke different emotions and atmospheres.
Light values often feel airy and open, while dark values can feel more intimate or dramatic.
Colour Mixing and Pigments: When mixing pigments, understanding the value of each
colour is important. Adding white or black to a hue will change its value, which can
significantly affect the final outcome.
Intensity
The intensity principle of colour, also known as saturation or chroma, refers to the purity or
vividness of a colour. It is one of the key dimensions in colour theory, alongside hue and
value. Here are the main points about the intensity principle:
Purity of Colour: Intensity measures how pure a colour is. High-intensity colours are bright
and vivid, with no addition of white, black, or gray. Low-intensity colours are more muted or
desaturated, appearing closer to gray.
Saturation Scale: Intensity can be visualized on a scale from fully saturated (pure colour) to
completely desaturated (gray). Intermediate levels of saturation include tints, tones, and
shades:
Tint: A colour mixed with white, increasing lightness but decreasing intensity.
Tone: A colour mixed with gray, reducing intensity without changing lightness
significantly.
Shade: A colour mixed with black, increasing darkness and reducing intensity.
Colour Harmony and Balance: Balancing intense and muted colours can create visual
interest and harmony in a composition. Too many high-intensity colours can be
overwhelming, while a predominance of low-intensity colours might seem dull.
Emotional Impact: Intensity influences the emotional response to colour. Bright, saturated
colours are often associated with excitement, joy, and energy, while muted colours can
convey sophistication, tranquility, or melancholy.
Context and Contrast: The perceived intensity of a colour can change depending on its
context and surrounding colours. Placing a highly saturated colour next to a desaturated one
can enhance the vibrancy of the saturated colour.
Mixing and Adjusting Colours: Artists and designers often manipulate intensity by adding
complementary colours, adjusting lighting, or using digital tools to achieve the desired effect
in their work.
Conclusion
Colour brings additional dimensions of emotional and psychological influence, guiding the
viewer's eye, creating focal points, and ensuring visual harmony. Understanding colour
theory, including colour relationships and cultural connotations, allows designers to use
colour strategically within these principles, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and
functional effectiveness of their work. Mastering the integration of design principles with
colour is crucial for producing compelling, cohesive, and impactful visual compositions.
