What is Color Theory?

Color theory is defined as a theory because it cannot be proved. Theories are generally accepted, despite the fact that they cannot be proven. Laws are accepted because they can be proven. It can be broken down into 3 part such as the color wheel, color value, and color schemes. Each part of color theory builds on the previous. The first theory is color wheel, the color wheel was developed by Sir Isaac Newton by taking the color spectrum and bending it into a circle. If you follow around the color wheel, you will find the same order of the color spectrum- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo(blue-violet), and violet. The color wheel is made up of three different types of colors it is Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary. (Fussell, 2015)

The second theory of color theory is Color Values, color values it is value is the darkness or lightness of a color. When dealing with pure color (hue), value can be affected by adding white or black to a color. Adding white to a color produces a tint and adding black to a color produces a shade. When grays are added to the color, the intensity of the color is affected. Intensity is related to value. (Fussell, 2015) For example:

Figure 1 : The Interactive Color Wheel

Figure 2 : Adding white to a color produces a tint.

Figure 3 : Adding black to a color produces a shade.

The third theory of color theory is Color Schemes, it means are ways colors are put together in an intelligent way. The example of color schemes is monochromatic, analogous, complementary colors, colors triads, split complementary, warm colors, and cool colors. (Fussell, 2015). Below the examples of color schemes.: