Color Harmonies_Week 6

Green colorharmonies from Thomas Everett Green

Color Harmony_Midterm_Pattern Assignment

Color Terms and Harmonies

Harmony-A relational combination of hues that produce a pleasing effect; the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole; agreement, unity.

Temperature-the relative warmth or coolness of a color as determined by its hue (blue is cool, orange is warm)

Tint-adding white to a pure hue

Shade-adding black to a pure hue

Monochromatic Color Scheme-Using and tint, tone, or shade of just one color

Complementary Color Scheme-Uses colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel

Analogous Color Scheme-Uses colors that are close to one another on the color wheel

Triadic-uses colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel (this relationship makes an imaginary equilateral triangle)

Split Complementary Color Scheme- this is a variation on the complementary color scheme.  In addition to the base color, it uses the colors adjacent to its complement.

Tetrad Color Scheme-uses four colors arranged into complementary pairs, and adjacent to a complementary set of colors.  (this creates a rectangle)

Square Color Scheme-Similar to the rectangle, but with all four colors spaced evenly around the color wheel

For this assignment, you will research and find an interesting pattern that has uniform and varying shapes (i.e. no checkerboards).  

Step 1. Do your research--look at wallpaper patterns, all over patterns, progressive patterns, dress patterns, irregular patterns, or choose from patterns in Mandalas, nature, etc.  Print these images off and bring them to class with you.  You will want to do some sketches (4 to 6) on the different patterns in your sketchbook.   Break down and simplify the patterns (if necessary) until you have about 30 shapes for each panel. 

Step 2. Transfer your pattern to the Bristol-Once you have selected a pattern, you will create a large four panel gouache series based on that pattern.   Gently draw the shapes onto your panels and paint.   will divide two 9x12" Bristol sheets either lengthwise or horizontally (please see examples below).  If you are having diffuculty deciding, ask and I will help you decide. 

Step 3: Cut and paint the bristol-Once you have transferred your shapes to two 9x12 sheets of Bristol, You will paint your four panels using one of the following color schemes on each panel Analogous, Triadic, Split Complementary, and finally Tetrad.  Try to not use the same color in each of the four panels. 

Finally, mount your four compositions on a (white or black) 15x20 illustration board--using only a 1/4" border in between the four compositions. 

Remember: Color Harmonies/Color Schemes are like recipes.  If you do not follow the recipe, you will be altering the recipe and the Harmony will not be successful.