Colour theory is both the science and art of using colour . It provides a logical foundation for organizing colour and explains the visual effects of how colours mix , match , and contrast with each other . Colour theory also explains how humans perceive colour both physically and metaphorically . In general , colour theory broadly addresses five elements : » primary colours » the colour wheel » hue & saturation » warm & cool colours , » colour harmonies
PRIMARY COLOURS Although Newton did not specifically define the primary colours , his 1672 prism experiment was the first step in showing that colours ( light ) could be combined together to produce a broad array of additional colours .
Colourists of the 17th and 18th centuries believed that red , yellow , and blue were the primary colours from which all other colours could be created .
THE COLOUR WHEEL All three colour models still remain relevant and can be translated into colour wheels that all adhere to the same fundamental principles of colour organization and colour harmony . The most common version , however , is the “ artists ’ wheel ” consisting of 12 colours based on the RYB primaries .
RYB
RGB
In 1802 , scientists proved an alternative model , defining red , green , and blue as the primaries ..
Another hundred years later , in 1906 , printing innovation drove the discovery of cyan , magenta , and yellow as the new true primary colours .
CMY