colour theory
A quick rundown of colour theory throughout history.
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ARISTOTLE 384BC
the original colour theorist
Aristotle devised a linear colour system with all colours being derived from black and white and further described in relation to the elements: earth, air, water, fire.
iSAAC NEWTON 1643
the divider of light
Isaac Newton published the first circular diagram of colours in 1704. He used a prism to show that white light could be split into a spectrum of colors, which he arranged in a circle to demonstrate their relationships.
He was the first to identify the phenomenon of metamerism. For artists this means that the same colour can be achieved through different mixtures.
MOSES HARRIS 1766
FIRST PIGMENT MIXING WHEEL
Moses Harris, an English entomologist and engraver, expanded on Newton’s ideas by introducing a colour wheel focused on pigment mixing. His wheel was based on three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. This is the basis for our basic artist’s colour wheel today.
GOETHE 1810
COLOUR TEMPERATURE AND EMOTION
Goethe, a German poet and naturalist, took a more humanistic approach to colour theory in his book Theory of Colours. His colour wheel was based on the idea that colours evoke specific emotions and that their combinations create harmonious or disharmonious effects. He emphasized the contrast between warm and cool colours and their impact on the viewer.
CHEVREUL 1839
TINTS, TONES
AND SHADES
Michel Eugène Chevreul, a French chemist, developed a colour wheel that was influential in both art and textile design. His system catologued all hues as they are affected by their tints (mixed with white), tones (gray), and shades (black).
ALBERT MUNSELL 1905
COLOUR AS
A SCIENCE
Albert H. Munsell, an American painter, introduced a more systematic and scientific approach with the Munsell Colour System. Rather than focusing solely on artistic use, Munsell aimed to create a precise way to describe colours.
RGB AND CMYK
MODERN COLOUR MODELS
RGB Wheel: Used primarily in digital screens and lighting, the RGB wheel is based on additive colour mixing -colours are created by combining different intensities of light. Mixing all three primary colours produces white.
CMYK Wheel: This wheel is used in printing and pigment-based media, relying on subtractive colour mixing. Here, colours are created by subtracting light. When mixed, the three primary pigments (cyan, magenta, and yellow) produce black.
