CLASS NOTES:
CG130 Drawing & Design Fundamentals

This introduction to color is very basic, so if you want a stronger foundation in color read the notes and textbooks for AD100 Applied Color Theory.

Color is a sensation we experience when light rays of a specific frequency
strike the cones in the retinas of our eyes.

We are biomechanical creatures, and our eyes have to constantly refocus as we travel into or away from objects in the world around us. Colors entering our eyes also causes us to refocus, and this gives us the feeling of something either moving towards us, or away from us.

Warm Colors fire, sun red, orange, yellow Tend to advance Cool Colors sky, water, plant, grass blue, green Tend to recede

Warm frequencies unfocus our eyes in the same way as something nearing us causes them to refocus, thus giving us the impression that they are coming toward us. Cool frequencies work in the opposite manner, unfocusing our eyes the same way as something retreating from us would cause us to refocus, and thus gives us the impression of moving away.

[Side Note:] When trying to balance colors,
it takes 85% of cool colors to balance 15% of warm colors.