Understanding Color

Color is something that is fundamental to our understanding of art. Most artists use color in varied ways. In order to look at art property, it is necessary to look at it as something that uses color. Basic color theory is a must that all art fans need to know once they plan to study this subject. Color theory helps show why certain colors go together as well as how varied shades can form a coherent whole in the eye. Studying color theory also helps people understand how such art is perceived by the eye once people see a particular work of art.

The Fundamentals

All colors come from light. Light divides into multiple shades that can be seen by the eye. The absence of color makes black. When colors are blended together, the result is a color the eye sees as white. The rest of the colors in the spectrum can be divided into roughly eight shades. These are the classic shades of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Each color can be further subdivided by shades.Color shades are traditionally made by adding more black to a given base color to make it darker or by adding more white to make it lighter.

Mixing Color

Before paints were commercially produced, many artists relied on their own sense of color to create shades. This often resulted in intense color shades that we can still admire today. While commercially available paints are often used, it is useful to know how to mix paints even today. Any art lover should be aware of basics such as mixing blue and yellow makes green. Such knowledge can help them better understand how certain art effects have been created. This can also help them appreciate the art in front them even more.