Skip to content

Ask an Academic

  • Home
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us
Art gallery

The Theory of Colour

September 20, 2019 by AskanAcademic.com

A short answer that details the understanding of the theory of colour

Question

describe your understanding of the theory of colour

Answer

Colour theory is a complex framework within the visual arts that provides guidance on the mixing of colours and the visual effect that combinations of colour produces. The simplicity of this basic definition belies the complexity of the theoretical framework and its historical evolution. Understanding it begins with the definition of various colours and grasping their uses. For example, primary colours may be additive or subtractive, with the former being red, blue and green and the latter being blue, red and yellow, and secondary colours being made from any two of these colours (Ambrose & Harris, 2007). Of course, this deals solely with the composition and basic purpose of colours but there are several variations of the theoretical framework that extend this point. Indeed, there is no single theory that underpins it but rather a series of ideas and analyses that are important to the understanding of the composition, use and effect of colour. For example, Goethe’s (2015) 1810 Theory of Colours discusses how colour is perceived and the qualities each one possesses, although its sparse scientific elements were debunked by physicists (Sepper, 2009). However, despite its scientific issues, Goethe’s theory emphasises the fact that colour theory encompasses very different elements. In terms of the modern status of colour theory, there is a need to acknowledge that technologies influence the practical application of colours (Bleicher, 2012) but the basic premise of the theory remains constant.

References

Ambrose, G. & Harris, P., (2007). Basics Design 05: Colour. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Bleicher, S., (2012). Contemporary Colour: Theory and Use.2nd Ed. Boston: Cengage Learning.

Goethe, J., (2015). Goethe’s Theory of Colours. A. Johannsen ed. Washington DC: Library of Alexandria.

Sepper, D., (2009). Goethe, Colour and the Science of Seeing. In A. Cunningham ed. Romanticism and the Sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 189-198.

Post navigation

Previous Post:

Currency Management in the Banking Sector

Next Post:

What are some examples of mores and taboo in Canadian society?

Search Q&As

Categories

  • Art Media and Literature (74)
  • Business and Management (256)
  • Computing and ICT (14)
  • Construction and Engineering (35)
  • Education (90)
  • Environmental Sciences (2)
  • Finance and Economics (91)
  • Health (64)
  • Languages (12)
  • Law (88)
  • Mathematics and Statistics (2)
  • Medical Sciences (19)
  • Politics and International Relations (83)
  • Research Methodology (1)
  • Science (49)
  • Social Sciences (101)

Archives

Who We Are

Askanacademic.com is owned and operated by All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. Company Registration No: 4964706. VAT Registration No: 842417633. Data Controller No: Z1821391.

Registered office:
Venture House
Cross Street
Arnold
Nottingham
NG5 7PJ

Main Navigation

  • Home
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us

Legals

  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Categories

  • Business and Management
  • Law
  • Finance and Economics
  • Health
An an Academic Logo
© 2023 Ask an Academic | WordPress Theme by Superb Themes
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Reject
Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT