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The human eye can identify approximately 30,000 different colours. Each sensation of colour is outcome of blend of its different characteristics. The difference in colours arises from varied proportion or level of these characteristics of colour. The characteristics of the colour are as follows:
- Hue
- Value
- Chroma
Hue
Hue is the name of the colour comprising of a group of specific wavelengths in the light spectrum. Hues are usually presented on colour wheel (Fig. 6.1a) where different classes of hues are arranged in a manner to show relation among primary (Fig. 6.1b), secondary and tertiary hues. Colours normally visible to us are a combination of the effects of the following:
- Properties of the coloured substance
- Properties of the light falling on it and getting reflected or transmitted (or both)
- Properties of our eyes, on which the reflected/transmitted light falls
Hue is usually the key quality of a colour to impress a viewer. The hues next to each other on a colour wheel are called as analogous or adjacent hues and those opposite to each other across the wheel are known as complementary hues. The relationships between hues on colour wheel thus help in controlling value and intensity and in developing colour harmonies.
Value
Value is the lightness or darkness of a hue on the colour wheel. The value of a hue can be varied by adding white or black colour to it. It is called a tint when white is added and a shade when black is added (Fig 6.2). Tints are considered to have high value while the shades have low value associated with them. The value of a hue on colour wheel is called normal or home value. The yellow has the highest home value and violet with the darkest home value. Tints of dark hues such as blue or violet can be darker than shades of hues with light home value. Absolute blackness or whiteness cannot be achieved in case of garments. Clothing can approach but never achieve; its effect depends on the fabric texture.
Chroma
Chroma is also known as intensity and is the brightness or dullness of a hue. It depicts the saturation or purity of the colour. The brighter the colour higher is its intensity and vice versa in case of dull colours. The neutral colours namely, black, grey and white have no intensity. A hue on the colour wheel has its highest purity which gets dull on addition of neutral and other colours. Hence, a hue is at its highest intensity only at its home value. The brightness of each hue on the colour wheel is not same; highest in case of red and lowest for violet. The variation in chroma of different hues is clearly visible on Munsell colour sphere.
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