Introduction to the Color Wheel
The color wheel is an essential tool for understanding the world of colors and their combinations. It represents the continuity of color transitions and their Hue, Saturation, and Brightness (HSB). The wheel’s sectors display various color tones arranged in the order of the spectral colors, with purple connecting the extreme ends (red and violet).
Historical Background
Many prominent scientists contributed to the development of the color wheel. The first attempt to systematize visible colors is credited to Isaac Newton, who developed the concept alongside other well-known figures such as Claude Boutet, Moses Harris, Johann Schiffermüller, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Philipp Otto Runge, and Johannes Itten.
The Evolution of Color Schemes
Before the color wheel, artists and designers relied on intuition and experience for color selection, without a systematic approach. The invention of the color wheel by Isaac Newton marked a significant milestone in color theory. In 1672, Newton published his groundbreaking “New Theory about Light and Colours,” revealing that white light consists of seven distinct colors.
However, not everyone agreed with Newton’s theory. Notably, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a poet, philosopher, and naturalist, offered a different perspective in his 1809 work, “Theory of Colours,” which included detailed color diagrams and circles. Despite some errors, Goethe’s work has historical significance, particularly in the study of vision physiology and psychology.
Key Color Schemes
The color wheel laid the foundation for various color schemes, which are widely used in art, design, and other fields to create harmonious and attractive combinations.
1. Monochromatic Scheme
A monochromatic scheme uses shades of a single color. Notable examples include:
- Painting: Pablo Picasso’s Blue and Pink periods.
- Design: The Coca-Cola logo’s iconic red color.
- Photography: Kelsey McClellan’s food photography series.
2. Analogous Scheme
This scheme combines colors located next to each other on the color wheel. Examples include:
- Painting: Ivan Aivazovsky’s “The Wave.”
- Photography: Elizaveta Porodina’s works featuring harmonious color transitions.
3. Complementary Scheme
Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. Examples include:
- Painting: Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.”
- Photography: Polina Washington’s vivid complementary color photography.
4. Triadic Scheme
This scheme uses three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel. Examples include:
- Painting: Piet Mondrian’s “Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow.”
- Photography: Works by Diana Villadsen and Kenichi Nakao.
5. Tetradic Scheme
The tetradic scheme involves four colors, often seen in:
- Painting: Joan Miró’s “The Birth of the Day.”
- Design: The Google logo, which is a famous application of this scheme.
6. Analogous-Complementary Scheme
This scheme combines a color with two colors adjacent to its complementary color. It is used by:
- Artists: Arkhip Kuindzhi, Henri Matisse, and David Hockney.
- Photography: Sabina Villiard’s editorial work.
Application of Color Schemes in Film
Color plays a crucial role in cinema, helping to set the atmosphere and convey emotions. Directors often choose specific color schemes to emphasize a scene’s mood:
Complementary Scheme: “Amélie.”
Analogous-Complementary Scheme: “Lost in Translation.”
Analogous Scheme: “American Hustle.”
The color wheel and its various color schemes are of great importance in art, design, and cinematography, helping us create harmonious and expressive color combinations in various areas of creativity and life. It is especially important to consider the color wheel and the way color will play a role before shooting. When possible, it is advisable to choose a color scheme in advance.
In the following chapters, we will look at each scheme in more detail, learn about their shades and how to create them.
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