Tip of the month – July 2008

What is contrast? When we can see distinct differences in a comparison of two effects, this is called contrast. Comparative differences can be great or small.

These differences are known as VALUE CONTRAST and are important in artistic expression.

In visual art, the comparison or contrast of color can be approached from a number of points of view.

Each of these triads of undiluted colors illustrates CONTRAST OF HUE. To learn more about triads, click on NOVEMBER 2004.

Color can also be compared by its relative lightness or darkness. Each color has a definite value starting from the lightest color yellow and finishing at the darkest color purple or violet.

Notice how the value (relative lightness to darkness) becomes darker in the colors that contain blue in the mix. The values of the colors that contain yellow are lighter by comparison.

On the color wheel, the colors from yellow to red violet are described as being warm colors. The colors green through to violet are described as being cool colors. But this is not always true. When comparing analogous (neighboring) hues on the color wheel, one hue will seem warmer or cooler by comparison.

Upon close examination, the warmer hue will have yellow or red in its mix and the cooler color will have blue in its mix.

Look at the colors on your palette and choose any two colors. Compare them and decide which color is warmer and which color is cooler. Try this with several pairs of colors.

More Tips

For more information join Barbara's "tips" mailing list.