In teaching color to students, it is important to teach the adjectives that we use to describe color. In the world of fine art, visual art, graphic design, fashion design, interior design, cosmetics, cars, and in many industries, these color terms are important for clear communication.
Cool colors: This generally describes blue, green, and purple or violet. As representers of water, sky, and green these are colors considered to have a colder or cool hue.
Warm colors: Warm colors are red, orange, and yellow. As the colors of fire, the sun, and lava, these are the colors that are associated with a warmer temperature.
Jewel Tone: Jewel tone is used to describe highly saturated and intense colors. Many times this is the kind of adjective used to describe clothing or cosmetics.
Neutral: This is the kind of adjective that is used to describe tan, beige, brown, and grey colors. Colors are neutral that lack an overall hue and therefore go well with most other colors.
Primary colors: red, blue, yellow. These are described as primary colors because in the visual spectrum all other colors may be made from these three colors.
Secondary colors: This term is used to describe the colors that can be made from a straight mix of primary colors. For example: mixing red and blue creates the secondary color of purple. Mixing red and yellow creates the secondary color of orange, mixing yellow and blue creates the secondary color of green.
Tertiary colors: These are colors that can be created from the mixing of primary and secondary colors. For example, mixing red and orange creates an amber color.
Complementary colors: These are colors that are across or opposite each other on the color wheel.
- Red is the opposite of green.
- Blue is the opposite of orange.
- Yellow is the opposite of purple.
While these colors can be used to provide contrast and to compliment each other, the term is used to describe opposites and not to describe pleasing color combinations.
Additionally, colors may be described as:
- Bold
- Pale
- Pastel
- Pleasing
- Colorful
- Clashing
- Contrasting
- Dull
- Bright
- Hot
- Cold
- Vivid
- Saturated
- Flat
- Intense
- Deep
- Delicate
- Festive
- Fiery
- Glowing
- Harmonious
- Iridescent
- Matching
- Monochrome
- Muted
- Opalescent
- Rich
- Somber
- Soft
- Translucent
- Vibrant
- Washed-out
While other more common adjectives can be used such as beautiful, fun, or gorgeous, be careful. These are more generic adjectives that can be used to describe most anything and not specifically color. And remember: Be colorful and creative in your use of adjectives to describe color and hue.
Source:
"Art Terms and Definitions." Canadian Art. Web. 05 Nov. 2011.
Mary Rayme - Mary Rayme is a graphic designer and arts educator with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.
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