Hue Definition
When describing a color as red or green we are talking about the hue, and in general most names of colors are descriptors of hue.
(We also describe hue with temperatures, such as warm hues and cool hues.)
Warm Hues
Warm hues, like red, orange, and yellow, express an active or assertive quality.
Cool Hues
Cool hues, like green and blue, are normally considered to be quiet and relaxing.
Monochromatic
A group of colors that is restricted to a single hue is defined as being monochromatic.
(A monochromatic group of colors are fixed in hue and only have variation in value or saturation.)
Analogous
A group of colors that utilizes multiple but similar hues is considered analogous.
(Analogous colors provide an overriding bias in hue.)
Complementary
Two colors that exhibit maximum difference in hue are considered to be complementary.
(Complementary colors have strong interaction.)
Value Definition
Aside from Hue, all colors have a defining property called value.
Value is defined as the relative lightness or darkness of a color. The value of a color can be measured through the use of a value or tonal scale, which ranges from white to black.
(Given a single Hue, there are three types of value variations that can be created: Tints, Shades, and Tones.)
Tints
Tints are created by adding white, and are always lighter than the base value of the hue
Shades
Shades are created by adding black, and are always darker than the base value of the hue.
Tones
Tones are created by adding gray, and may be lighter or darker, or maintain value.
Tonal Key
In any composition, a tonal key is established, which is the overall tendency of the piece toward being light, medium, or dark.
(The three types of tonal keys are High Key, Intermediate Key, and Low Key)
High Key
A High Key is light, and usually reads as being lightweight or airy.
Intermediate Key
An Intermediate Key usually reads as being stable or static.
Low Key
A Low Key, in which dark values dominate, generally looks heavy or somber.
Tonal Range
The Tonal Range of a piece describes the amount of variety between tones.
(There can be a Narrow Tonal Range, or a Wide Tonal Range)
Narrow Tonal Range
A tonal range that is Narrow creates a more relaxed and quiet impression.
Wide Tonal Range
A tonal range that is Wide and feels more active and energetic.
Contrasting Tones
Contrasting tones separate objects in space, whereas a gradation of tones suggests a continuous mass or contour.
Primary Sets
Painter Primaries (RBY), Printer Primaries (CMYK), Light Primaries (RGB)
(A Pixel contains RGBA from 0 to 255)
Saturation (Intensity/Chroma) Definition
Saturation refers to the purity or strength of the color. Colors that have a high saturation are referred to as bright, vivid, pure, strong, or brilliant.
Chromatic Colors
Chromatic colors are colors that have a noticeable degree of saturation, allowing their hue to be determined.
Neutral Colors
Neutral colors are colors that are generally defined as having minimal saturation. Warm grays, cool grays, and assorted browns are all neutral.
Achromatic Colors
Achromatic colors are colors with no saturation and no discernible hue – black, white, and desaturated grays.
