COLOUR NOTES
To uncover the measurable attributes, characteristics and nuances of colour.
Theses projects are based on the Colour Wheel by ITTEN 'the Elements of Color' 1961
Theses projects are based on the Colour Wheel by ITTEN 'the Elements of Color' 1961
YELLOW
One of the first pigments used by humans.
To replicate the sun, the ancients sourced the deadly mineral orpiment and refined gold for colour.
The alchemy to procured lead tin yellow & the manufacturing of these yellows
supplied 'modern' pallets
along with the imported exotic pigment from India.
The introduction of chrome and cadmium yellows by modern chemistry led to an explosion in the use of the colour yellow
To replicate the sun, the ancients sourced the deadly mineral orpiment and refined gold for colour.
The alchemy to procured lead tin yellow & the manufacturing of these yellows
supplied 'modern' pallets
along with the imported exotic pigment from India.
The introduction of chrome and cadmium yellows by modern chemistry led to an explosion in the use of the colour yellow
RED
Humanities first red was derived from earth pigments,
a naturally occurring oxidization of iron and ochre.
For a primary red we must turn to technology
invented by the ancient.
Red lead is one of the earliest manufactured pigments.
a naturally occurring oxidization of iron and ochre.
For a primary red we must turn to technology
invented by the ancient.
Red lead is one of the earliest manufactured pigments.
BLUE
The reason that we see blue when we look up at the sky is optical.
When light is scattered, water particles develop in the atmosphere.
These shorter wavelengths, the blue ones, are the most visible.
Very few blue pigments are available in nature, so early civilizations turned to technology.
The Ancient Egyptians devised extraordinarily sophisticated techniques to create a synthetic pigment,
Egyptian Blue.
This colour marks an “ intersection between technology and culture” elegantly wrote David Coles in 'Chromatopia; An illustrated history of Colour'
When light is scattered, water particles develop in the atmosphere.
These shorter wavelengths, the blue ones, are the most visible.
Very few blue pigments are available in nature, so early civilizations turned to technology.
The Ancient Egyptians devised extraordinarily sophisticated techniques to create a synthetic pigment,
Egyptian Blue.
This colour marks an “ intersection between technology and culture” elegantly wrote David Coles in 'Chromatopia; An illustrated history of Colour'
ORANGE
The first orange pigments were natural orchers.
In fact, the word Orange was introduced to Europe from Asia by Portuguese merchants in late 15th century with the fruit.
Modern chemistry produced more stable cadmium oranges enticing orange into the modern palette.
In fact, the word Orange was introduced to Europe from Asia by Portuguese merchants in late 15th century with the fruit.
Modern chemistry produced more stable cadmium oranges enticing orange into the modern palette.
GREEN
‘Cholors’ the original name for the pigment in plants.
Chlorophyll enables plants to absorb energy form the light through photosynthesis.
In the late 18th century, Verdigris, a new copper-based pigment was manufactured using arsenic.
The brilliant colour that poisoned thousands in Britain.
A secondary colour in the subtractive model of painting, it can be mixed with yellow and blue.
In the additive colour model of light, however, green is a primary colour, alongside red and blue to create all the other colours.
Chlorophyll enables plants to absorb energy form the light through photosynthesis.
In the late 18th century, Verdigris, a new copper-based pigment was manufactured using arsenic.
The brilliant colour that poisoned thousands in Britain.
A secondary colour in the subtractive model of painting, it can be mixed with yellow and blue.
In the additive colour model of light, however, green is a primary colour, alongside red and blue to create all the other colours.
Purple
It's luxurious richness flows strongly through its’s history
Purpura/ porphyra – this was the name for the Tyrian purple dye manufactured in classical antiquity.
Extracted from a 8500 Mediterranean Sea snail per gram
it was more precious than gold.
Purpura/ porphyra – this was the name for the Tyrian purple dye manufactured in classical antiquity.
Extracted from a 8500 Mediterranean Sea snail per gram
it was more precious than gold.
Triadiccolour Scheme
Analogous Colour Scheme
Reflection
Transparent
Texture
Treats
Light & Dark
Monochromatic
LIGHT
A new understanding of light,
Optics came in 1660 when Isaac Newton revealed a spectrum visible in white light refracted by a prism,
the rainbow
With that Alchemist, Mathematician, & Physicist became rock stares of their day,
the trades became artists.
This breakthrough in optics also led to Impressionism. And sparked circular colour theory
DARKS
14th Century Renaissance,
shiny was out and shadows were in.
Black was added into to the colour repertoire.
Prior to this pure colour was the darkest.
Pure colour is now the middle ground, between the highlight and the shadow.
Highlights pull shapes forward and dark values draw you into the piece.
And thus, three dimensions
‘The midpoint between darkness and light which he thought held greater power than light”
Janice Lindsay, All About Colour – 2011
A new understanding of light,
Optics came in 1660 when Isaac Newton revealed a spectrum visible in white light refracted by a prism,
the rainbow
With that Alchemist, Mathematician, & Physicist became rock stares of their day,
the trades became artists.
This breakthrough in optics also led to Impressionism. And sparked circular colour theory
DARKS
14th Century Renaissance,
shiny was out and shadows were in.
Black was added into to the colour repertoire.
Prior to this pure colour was the darkest.
Pure colour is now the middle ground, between the highlight and the shadow.
Highlights pull shapes forward and dark values draw you into the piece.
And thus, three dimensions
‘The midpoint between darkness and light which he thought held greater power than light”
Janice Lindsay, All About Colour – 2011
Tone/ Sanguine/ Texture
SANGUINE/sanNgwen/
Adjective; optimistic or positive, especially in a bad or difficult situation
Noun; blood-red colour
AKA Red chalk drawings are a reddish-brown colour. Popular for centuries for drawing
Adjective; optimistic or positive, especially in a bad or difficult situation
Noun; blood-red colour
AKA Red chalk drawings are a reddish-brown colour. Popular for centuries for drawing