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Drawing and Painting

Introduction to Colour Theory

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

Understanding how to use and orchestrate colour effectively is essential in any art and design practice. This practical course introduces the principles of colour theory and colour mixing. The course will aim to demystify the terms for describing colour and colour relationships; understanding the distinctions between primary, secondary and tertiary colours to hues and tints and to the difference between complementary, contrasting and colour harmonies.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge of the subject is required.

Special Information

Materials you will need to bring to the first class:

  • Sketch / note book

  • Paints – A range of acrylic and watercolours

  • A range of painting surfaces for, acrylics and watercolours

  • Bristol board / one-sides card

  • A range of brushes

  • Painting palette

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicative tools, materials and equipment:

  • Sketch / note book

  • Paints – A range of oils acrylic and watercolours

  • A range of painting surfaces for oils, acrylics and watercolours

  • A range of brushes

  • Paintings palette

Content of Course

Each session, students will be introduced to various aspects in relation to colour theory. The sessions will explore a combination of contextual references and feature practical exercises and demonstrations, which include:

1. An exploration of basic primary and secondary colour mixing and their relationships using acrylic paints.

2. Working tonally with a single colour.

3. Develop the relevant vocabulary to discuss colour relationships.

4. An exploration of coloured neutrals, tertiary colours and limited palette colour mixing.

5. Work with earth colours and blacks.

6. A focus of using watercolours and optical mixing colour without the use of white paint.

Teaching method(s)

This course will be based and delivered in specialist art and design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises and introductions to techniques, processes and concepts. This is supported by practical demonstrations, group discussions, contextual references and one-to-one support.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Develop and understand and the principles for mixing colour to achieve specific results.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of colour theory

  • Apply a relevant vocabulary to discuss colour relationships.

  • Develop an awareness for colour mixes with opaque pigment and optical watercolour pigment.

Sources

Core Readings

  • Itten, J., 1974. The Art of Color: The Subjective Experience and Objective Rationale of Color John Wiley & Sons; Revised edition

  • Mirza, J., Lidzey J.,Harris N., Galton J. 2002 The Art of Colour Mixing: Using Watercolours, Acrylics and Oils. A&C Black Visual Arts

  • Hornung, D., James. M. 2012 Colour: A Workshop For Artists and Designers Laurence King; 2 edition

  • Albers, J., & Fox Weber. N. 2013 Interaction of Color Yale University Press; 50th Anniversary edition edition

Class Handouts

Will be provided as required.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.