Complementary Colors

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Mark Rothko
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Complementary Colors
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What are Complementary Colors? Colors which lie
directly across from each other on the color
wheel. Also called Color Dyads, since theyre in
pairs.
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The major Complementary Colors consist of the
three Primaries and their Secondaries (Primary)
(Secondary) Red ? Green Yellow ?
Violet Blue ? Orange
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Every color has a complement. Complementary
Colors can complement, enhance and balance each
other. They produce the highest color contrast
(after Black White). Their INTENSITY is
heightened when paired alongside each other.
BUT
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Andy Warhol
commissioned work of Muhammed Ali
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Katy Grannans Cassandra
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Persian Miniature Painting
Hindu Deities Krishna and Radha in a Grove, 1780.
(gouache on paper)
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3 Properties of Color

1. VALUE
2. HUE
3. SATURATION / INTENSITY

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3 Properties of Color

• 3) SATURATION / INTENSITY

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Complementary Colors can also neutralize or
cancel each other out. When mixed together, their
original INTENSITY is suppressed, leading us to
Chromatic Neutral Grays
Soon Y. Warren (watercolor)
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Willem de Kooning
Seated Womanoil and charcoal / board     54" x
36"1940
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La Fenetre Ouverte, 1921
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Complementary Color combinations found outside
the Fine Art world
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Jack Lenor Larsens Red Garden
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Ad for Havaianas sandals 2008
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And in sports!
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ALBERS COLOR RELATIVITY

• The 3 Principles of Color Interaction
• 1. Light/Dark Value Contrast
• 2. Complementary Reaction or Effect
• 3. Subtraction

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ALBERS COLOR RELATIVITY

• The 3rd Principle of Color Interaction
• 3. Subtraction

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Principle 1LIGHT/DARK CONTRAST
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Principle 1 2 LIGHT/DARK CONTRAST SUBTRACTION
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Principle 3 COMPLEMENTARY REACTION/EFFECT
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Principle 3COMPLEMENTARY REACTION OR
EFFECTOur eye seeks the complement of any
given color. For example, youre staring at a
red stop sign for a long period of timeyour RGB
photoreceptors grow tired, namely the R-receptor.
Therefore, G-receptor comes to the rescue and
appears to give the R-receptor a break.
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Jessica Stockholder Interview Art21
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Exercises Work time on 2 RE-Master
Paintings Collect Apocalypstick written
responses DUE NEXT WEEK -2 RE-MASTER
Painting / Collage Achromatic Monochromatic