The secret of successful designers. Color circle

Regardless of what a person creates, whether it is an ad, a picture or a page on the Internet, this should please the eye. That's why almost all designers, illustrators and some artists use different schemes of color matching. The most common of these is the color wheel. It allows you to choose harmonious and pleasant combinations, but in order to use such a thing, you need to know how it works. There are rules and nuances that you will have to consider when using this tool. Of course, there are people for whom it is useless. Possessing an innate talent, they choose the right combinations of colors and shades. But now it's not about them.

History of creation

Since ancient times, people have tried to understand the nature of color, there have been many theories. Practically all spheres of science were engaged in this question: optics, art criticism, culturology, psychology and others. In particular, it is because of this that color could not be formed as a separate science. The first systematization was created by Leonardo da Vinci. He discovered that the variety of colors is limited, and the true called black and white. He also analyzed the perception of colors, revealed contrasting and additional ones.

A new stage of development began when Isaac Newton singled out seven primary colors, taking as a basis the spectrum of white light. Until now, this phrase is known: "Every hunter wants to know where the pheasant is sitting". But the great scientist closed the chain and added purple to it, considering it a mixture of red and purple. From this moment, it became possible to compose the most famous color circle scheme. Although the very first circle was drawn by Goethe, who was interested in painting the surrounding objects. The first symmetrical color wheel was created by Kastel, it consisted of 6 sectors (now called the Goethe circle). The great German poet belongs to the first in the history of work on coloristics - "Theory of color." Over time, improving, the circle has come to a form in which it can be found almost everywhere. There are other schemes of color matching, but it's not convenient to use them in everyday work, so they are not so popular.

The circle of Itten

This is a twelve-part circle, which is obtained from three main, three secondary and six tertiary colors. The second triple is obtained by mixing pairs of yellow, red and blue colors, and tertiary, respectively, when mixing primary and secondary. It was invented, as the name suggests, by Johansen Itten - a Swiss artist and teacher. He made a great contribution to understanding the nature and perception of color and its shades. Until now, the scheme he invented is considered a classic and is still used by designers and artists around the world.

Oswald Circle

A more modern version is presented in the form of a spectrum. In the image shown by Oswald
Palette can be divided into three main colors. It is on them that the current additive color model RGB (Red, Green, Blue), that is, red, green and blue, is based. As it was proved, these colors are perceived directly by our eye, all other shades are obtained by mixing these three. Of course, on such a scheme there is neither black nor white. They have no place in the spectrum, they are considered as extreme points of saturation. The spectral color wheel is used mainly when you need to see as many shades as possible.

Perception training

It's no secret that the human eye is able to distinguish up to 150 shades. However, due to the training, the artists this number increases to 350-400. Many people working in areas where one has to deal with coloring do not possess an innate intuitive sense, so they are rescued by the circle of Itten. Now it is available, you can print it on a printer or buy it from a specialized store, but from time to time, for training, it's better to draw it with your own hand. It may not work out right away, but it is necessary for proper perception, because it is very difficult to get the right shade from the first time. For example, the green should turn out to be green, but not yellowish or bluish.

Formal approach

To create harmonious combinations it is necessary to study not one rule of the color wheel. Understanding the principle of work, you will be all on the shoulder. Whether you are making clothes or drawing pictures, or, perhaps, you are an interior designer, sooner or later you will have to face color. But the use of various schemes should in no case limit your own flair or fantasy. So, there are basic combinations or combinations in which there are 2 to 4 colors. If you are an active user of the computer, you can always use special programs to select hues, since they all have a color wheel as their basis.

Complementary colors

They are also called additional or contrast. On the circle of Itten, they are opposite each other. Their combinations look quite vigorous, although it is believed that they are too sharp, in nature one can find more than one example of their harmonious unification. Is it not wonderful to see red roses in the frame of green leaves or a strawberry in the garden? These combinations are used in cases where you need to highlight something or emphasize something. But they are completely inappropriate for text compositions.

Triads

There are three types - classical, analog and contras. The first is formed by colors that are at an equal distance from each other on the circle of Itten. For example, purple, green and orange. Each is located across three sectors from the other. The combination looks life-affirming and positive, even if one takes unsaturated shades. But to achieve the greatest harmony of colors, choose one main, and two others use as auxiliary. But the analog triad looks harmonious in any case, since the three colors are arranged on the circle in sequence. The composition of such a triad does not irritate the look and looks comfortable. It is most often found in nature, therefore it is perceived naturally. But even then it is better to make one color basic, and two others - additional. The third kind is a contrasting triad, it is built from one color and two neighboring from its complementary brother. For example, take the green. Its opposite is red, so for the triple we take red-orange and red-violet. Use this combination is carefully and only if you are sure that you will be able to do it most concisely.

Rectangular and square schemes

Four colors, each pair of which is contrast, constitute a rectangular pattern. It gives the greatest number of variations. The composition will look better if you select one color as the main one, and use the others as additional or auxiliary ones. The second scheme is square, it also consists of four colors. If you look at the color wheel, they will be equally removed from each other. This combination looks more vivid, so it's also preferable to choose one main hue.

Now you know all the basic rules, but it is worth noting that if you follow only one rule, then you can achieve a little. People who work with color, must have a creative flair and taste. The color circle is only an assistant, the rest depends on imagination, you can not be content with only a formal approach.