Color Theory

     Color Theory is the set of principles, which are used to guide and make harmonious color combinations. From color theory the color wheel was developed, aiding artists and designers and the public alike as a tool, defining basic relationships of color. Almost all of us at some point in our lives had to make a color wheel, so we’ve all had experience with how color interacts. The origins of color theory evolved from primitive colors, now known as the primary colors; red, yellow and blue. The theories on the qualities of how these colors were blended enhanced when “complementary” colors, or colors of opposing hues  were produced.  These color observations were summarized in the findings by Goethe in the “Theory of Colours” in the 1800s. The goal of color theory is to find and mix colors that work well together. However the ideas of how the colors work is up to interpretation. The Juxtaposition of colors lends to produce strong contrasts and tension some say, while they also produce harmonious color interactions as others say. Whatever the opinion, color theory is always used in society by designers and individuals alike to produce or evoke certain emotions. Whether creating the next ipod for Mac or a crayon drawing for your parents, playing with complementary and contrasting colors, or working with the differences in warm and cool colors; color theory will lead you to your final destination. There is no right and wrong in picking colors, it is simply your idea of what looks right and wrong when producing your work. 

[Photos from: http://www.the1948timemachine.com/portfolio%20graphics/PORTFOLIO%20NEWBIES/avian-color-theory.jpg, http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://goldtent.net/wp_gold/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/color_theory.jpe&imgrefurl=http://hasan11.seesaa.net/article/131390169.html&usg=__hK4UYOJ-pzT4JH96RKJd61h-i9s=&h=880&w=980&sz=1017&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=-sxK11lL-SkReM:&tbnh=134&tbnw=149&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcolor%2Btheory%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D, http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://wpcontent.answers.com/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/GoetheFarbkreis.jpg/180px-GoetheFarbkreis.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.answers.com/topic/color-theory&usg=__lh3ZIcKJxl0DeXsFBrHOQJxZEn0=&h=188&w=180&sz=19&hl=en&start=35&um=1&tbnid=mG5lu8ZI8wrJlM:&tbnh=102&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgoethe%2527s%2Bcolor%2Bwheel%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D21%26um%3D1]