LESSON 3
COLOUR FAMILIES
STRUCTURE 3.0
OBJECTIVES
3.1
INTRODUCTION
3.2
VISUAL EFFECTS OF COLOURS
3.3
ASSIGNMENTS 3.3.1 CLASS ASSIGNMENTS 3.3.2 HOME ASSIGNMENTS
3.4
SUMMING UP
3.5
POSSIBLE ANSWERS TO SELF-CHECK QUESTIONS
3.6
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
3.7
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED FURTHER READING
3.8
GLOSSARY
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3. COLOUR FAMILIES In the previous two lessons, you were introduced to colours, the colour media and the language of colours. This lesson will help to express feelings that arise when you see a particular colour and to recognize the various colour families depending upon a common characteristic their members possess.
3.0
Objectives After going through this lesson you will be able to:
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Understand the visual sensation produced by a colour
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Recognize to which family a particular colour belongs.
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Choose the colour for a particular situation or background or condition.
3.1
Introduction
During winters, we generally prefer to wear dark colour pullovers and sweaters because they are supposed to keep us warm. On the other hand in summers light colour apparels are worn so as to keep cool. The logic behind this trend is that dark colours absorb heat while light colours reflect a significant part of it and impart a cool feeling. On the same logic, we can group colours into different families and in this lesson we will see how this is done.
3.2
Visual Effects of Colours
Colour families are a way of grouping certain colours to give a particular visual impact. One single colour with its different shades, hues, tones, etc can create very strong visual effects. For example: i) HOT- Hot refers to red in full saturation on the colour wheel; this is red at its strongest (Fig. 3.1). Hot colours project outward and attract attention. For this reason, red is often used in graphic signage and design. Hot colours are strong and aggressive and seem to vibrate within their own space. The power of red colour effects people in different ways such as increasing blood pressure and stimulating the nervous system.
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Fig. 3.1 Hot Colours
Fig. 3.2 Cold Colours
Fig. 3.3 Warm Colours
ii) COLD- Cold refers to fully saturated blue. At its brightest, it is dominating and strong. Cold colours remind one of ice and snow. The feelings generated by cold colours (blue, green and blue-green) are the direct opposite of those generated by hot colours. Cold blue slows the metabolism and increases one’s sense of calm. When placed next to each other, cold and hot colours vibrate like fire and ice. iii) WARM- All hues that contain red are warm (Fig. 3.3). It is the addition of yellow to red that makes warm colours substantially different from hot colours. In warm colours, such as red-orange and orange and yellow, orange always contains a mixture of red and yellow in its composition and encompass a large part of the emotional spectrum. Warm colours are comforting, spontaneous and welcoming. The warmth of these hues radiates outward and surrounds everything in reach. iv) COOL- Cool colours are based on blues (Fig. 3.4). They differ from cold colours because of the addition of yellow to their composition, which creates yellow-green, green and blue-green. Cool colours such as turquoise blue and verdant green are seen in nature. Like spring growth they make us feel renewed. These hues provide a soothing and calm effect, a sense of depth as well as comfort. Cool colours are just like swimming in water.
Fig. 3.4 Cool Colours
Activity 1. From a set of sketch pens, differentiate the various colours on the basis of their visual effects for example hot, cold, etc.
Self-check Questions 1.
What is the difference between: i) hot and warm colours ii) cold and cool colours
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Another way in which colour families are formed is when colours are used with addition of white / black colours. i)
LIGHT - When the colours have white added to them there is a lightness to the composition (Fig. 3.5) and it gives you a feeling of airiness, rest, and liquidity. This conveys a message of relaxation.
Fig. 3.5 Light Colours
ii)
Fig. 3.6 Dark Colours
DARK - Dark colours are hues that contain black in their composition (Fig. 3.6). They close up space and make it look smaller. Dark colours are concentrated and serious in their effect. Seasonally, they suggest autumn and winter. Combining lights and darks together is a common and dramatic way to represent the opposites in nature, such as night and day.
iii)
PALE - Pale hues are the softest pastels (Fig. 3.7). They contain at least 65% white in their composition, and have a diminished hue which is most often referred to as soft or romantic. Pale colours like ivory, light blue and pink suggest gentleness. They can be seen in the clouds in a soft, early light, or in the lavender colours of a misty morning. Since they are calming colours, pale hues are frequently used in interior spaces.
Fig. 3.7 Pale Colours
iv)
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Fig. 3.8 Bright Colours
BRIGHT - The amount of pure colour within a hue determines its brightness. The clarity of bright colours is achieved by omission of white or black. Blues, reds, yellows and oranges are colours in full brightness. Bright colours (Fig. 3.8) are vivid and attract attention. Yellow school buses, a bunch of coloured balloons, a clown’s red nose, never go unnoticed. Exhilarating and cheerful, bright colours are perfect for children’s clothes, fashion, packaging and advertising.
Self-check Questions 2. Define the following classes of colours: i) ii) iii) iv)
3.3
Light Dark Pale Bright
Assignments
3.3.1 Class assignments i) There are two parts to this exercise: a) First put the articles in groups based on their colours. b) After you have put them in their colour groups, then try and make families out of them. You should be able to get some colour family from the objects that you have. 3.3.2 Home assignments i) Make a beautiful chart showing various colour families using oil pastels and your creativity. This exercise will only reinforce the knowledge you have gained of colours and colour families.
3.4
Summing Up
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Grouping of certain colours to give a particular visual impact is called Colour Families
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One single colour with its different shades, hues, tones, etc can create very strong visual effects.
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Families are also formed with addition of white/black colours.
3.5 1.
Possible Answers to Self-check Questions i) Hot vs. Warm •
HOT - Hot refers to red in full saturation on the colour wheel; this is red at its strongest
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WARM - Addition of yellow to red makes warm colours substantially different from hot colours. In warm colours, such as red-orange and 5
orange and yellow, orange always contains a mixture of red and yellow in its composition. ii) Cold vs. Cool •
COLD - Cold refers to fully saturated blue. At its brightest, it is dominating and strong. Cold colours remind one of ice and snow.
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COOL - They differ from cold colours because of the addition of yellow to their composition, which creates yellow-green, green and bluegreen.
2. Definitions i) LIGHT - When the colours have white added to them there is a lightness to the composition. ii) DARK - Dark colours are hues that contain black in their composition. iii) PALE - Pale hues are the softest pastels (Fig. 3.7). They contain at least 65% white in their composition. iv) BRIGHT - The amount of pure colour within a hue determines its brightness. The clarity of bright colours is achieved by omission of white or black.
3.6
Terminal Questions
1. What are the different colour families? 2. Which colour families do we get by the use of the following colours with its tints / shades: Red, Blue, Yellow/ Red, Blue/ Green
3.7
References and Suggested Further Reading
1. Sutton, T. and Brides, M. 2003. The Complete Colour Harmony. Wheelen Rockport Publications, Massachusetts.
3.8
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Glossary
1. Impact
Shock, affect
2. Aggressive
Fast-growing, pushing
3. Spectrum
Range, scope
4. Spontaneous
Self-generated, natural
5. Omission
Deletion
6. Exhilarating
Stimulating, Making lively and cheerful
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