Color Theory

This course develops an understanding of color properties and relationships through formal exercises, research and creative thinking. Students build a vocabulary for analyzing and identifying color and phenomena. Concepts of color theorists and color use in a variety of fields are examined to understand the application of color theory.

Color Journal Assignments

Students complete a series of assignments which focus on particular aspects of color mixing/color phenomena by maintaining a color journal. Here, professional presentation is emphasized, as well as comprehension of course content. Observing and manipulating hue, value and saturation are foundational introductions to color. Materials include found imagery, gouache paint, color-aid paper, and pens. Critiques serve as a dialogue for discussion and shared experience of working with materials and demonstrate the broad range of interpretation of various prompts as assignments become more creative.

Color Matching Painting Assignment

After learning about optical mixing in Impressionist painting, students choose a historical painting and select a 4”x4” area of the painting to recreate. Students use guoache paint to match the hue, value, and saturation of colors, while also replicating painting style. This assignment challenges students to synthesize their understanding of color through creative problem-solving and trial-and-error.

CoLOR harmonies

Students develop their own theme for a series of 6 photos to represent color harmonies. Using various found objects and color-aid paper, students take photos which explore the following color schemes: monochromatic, analogous, complimentary, split-complimentary, triadic and muted.

Vanderpoel Color Notes

Students learn about Emily Noyes Vanderpoel whose book Color Problems, anticipates later theories of color by nearly 50 years. Vanderpoel ”sought not so much to analyze the components of color itself, but rather to quantify the overall interpretative effect of color on the imagination.” By studying her watercolor studies, abstract color fields, and color analyses, students develop their own color notes, observing forms from their environment.

Color Analysis

Here, create a color analysis of a found object using color-aid paper. Students observe various hues found in the object and consider the proportion of these colors in relation to the whole. These are represented using vertical strips of color aid paper which are arranged in an interesting way.

Final Project: Complimentary Triptych

For their final project, students develop a concept for a painted triptych using gouache paint. Establishing visual parameters by choosing a theme is emphasized. Through a series of in-progress critiques, students create unique compositions and assign colors to each of their paintings. The goal is to create variety and unity throughout. Through color studies, students develop paintings where hue, value, and saturation are used purposefully and thoughtfully.