Fundamentals of Art and Design 3(1+2)

Lesson 02 : Elements of art

Color

Color is universal and the great enjoyment of color is the ability in enhancing the beauty of interiors or the environment that we live in. To use color effectively, one needs to understand the characteristics, nature and language of color. The study of color may be approached with different angles, like that of the physiologist, chemist, physicist or a psychologist who deals with color differently. But as home makers and interior decorators in home furnishing, the approach will be altogether different. They need to know the popular names of color, the warm and cool hues, the advancing and receding hues and their effects. Further the various color schemes and application of the principles of design in use of color for the interiors which is an art and science by itself.

Color is derived from reflected light. Light rays reflected from objects, reveals the color of the object. White light from the sun is really a combination of all colors. The colors of the spectrum in order are: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, Indigo and violet. Color is described with the words hue, value, and intensity. Hue refers to the name of the color like blue, red etc. Value tells the lightness or darkness of a hue. Intensity refers to the brightness or dullness of a hue. An individual can use a color wheel and learn how colors work together.

Theories of color:
Of the many theories of color in pigment, two are in very common use. These are generally known as the “Prang System” and the “Munsell System.” The Prang theory only will be used when experimenting the properties and classes of color.
The Prang color System:

There are three properties or qualities which may be called the dimensions of color, and which are just as distinct from one another as the length, breadth, and thickness of an object. These color dimensions are:

1. Their warmth or coolness(the hue or name of the color)
2. Their lightness or darkness (the value of the color)
3. Their brightness or dullness (Intensity or chroma) of the color.

All three of these dimensions- hue, value, and intensity- are present in every color, just as objects have length, breadth and thickness.