Week #6: Color Theory Exercise

This week we continued our discussion of color theory, and worked on our monochromatic filtered self-portraits.  We were asked to think about how we might teach color theory to a class of our own, and this is what I got after giving it some thought:

I would begin a lesson in color theory by introducing the color wheel and its associated vocabulary.  I would make sure to cover primary, secondary, and tertiary or intermediate colors, as well as tints and shades.  Then I would cover color schemes and combinations as they relate to the color wheel.  We would cover complimentary colors, analogous colors, and color schemes including the triadic, split-complimentary, tetradic, and square.  In order to supplement this information I would have students complete their own color wheels in order to experiment with the mixing of color.

(Retrieved from:  http://blog.asmartbear.com/color-wheels.html)

(Retrieved from:  http://ideas.demco.com/blog/space-planning-design-103-choosing-colors-fabrics-finishes/)

(Retrieved from:  http://www.donsmithpaint.com/Don-Smith-decorating.php)

Following this discussion and activity I would try to gauge the interest of the class.  In an advanced class, or one that shows particular interest I might introduce the concepts of additive and subtractive color.  I would distribute diagrams and discuss the physics of light, tying the concepts into the modern technology of screens and printed images.

Additive & Subtractive Color Systems - based on reflected

reflected and transmitted light.

(Retrieved from:  http://obsessive-coffee-disorder.com/tag/color-wheel/)

The "Correct" Color Wheel,

taking into account physics

of visible light and color.

(Retrieved from:  http://blog.asmartbear.com/color-wheels.html)

Next I would introduce the actual long term project and ask students to begin working.  I would have them produce contour drawings of interesting objects from the room, or that they bring into class.  I would provide them with photographs of the objects filtered through Photoshop in order to block colors and values together (i.e. posterize or cut-out filter).  The students would use these photographs as reference material to draw the contours of the areas of color.  Next the students would divide their paper into nine sections, in the form of a grid with pencil.  Each of these sections would then be painted in to match the values of color on the photograph, but with each section of the grid adhering to a different color set or color scheme.  As a result students would be able to experiment with more colors and combinations than a traditional drawing or painting, or even a similar project featuring a single color scheme.

Examples of similar projects from the net

can be seen below: