- I'd like to have a conversation about light,…because without light, we can't see color.…This makes light one of the top considerations…for defining forms, developing space,…and depicting emotional content in a piece.…The exploration of light as it affects color in an image,…will lead us to consider many things:…Value, intensity, saturation, and neutralization of a color,…and complimentary relationships.…We'll start with the most concrete concern…creating or developing the illusion of form.…
When I work with a model setup for my color class at RISD,…one of the most important decisions is,…where do I put the lights.…The colors for backdrops and costumes…are carefully considered,…and the model pose designed for a strong composition.…But if the light is too bright, too dim,…or not positioned for maximum interest,…the composition will suffer, and the form can appear flat.…If we're playing the roll of magician…with light and color,…we can't ignore how light can be used effectively…to create the depth of field in an image.…
Author
Mary Jane Begin
Released
8/20/2013These lessons are applicable to a number of fields, including graphic design, photography, and illustration, and both traditional and digital media. Dive in and get a fresh look at color that is sure to revitalize your creativity and your work.
- Understanding why color is essential for you as an artist, designer, or human being
- Storytelling with color
- Understanding brand identity and color language
- Reviewing the history of color usage, from print to digital
- Working with the color wheel
- Understanding value, saturation, and temperature
- Seeing through color: opaque, translucent, and transparent
- Creating contrast
- Exploring depth of field
- Seeing complementary relationships in light
- Achieving harmony and discord in a palette
- Understanding color blindness
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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Welcome1m 6s
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Exercise files22s
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1. How Color Shapes Meaning
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Concepts made clear4m 1s
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Brand identity and language2m 53s
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Sequence and pattern2m 31s
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2. The Color Wheel
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What is the color wheel?2m 20s
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3. The Elements of Color
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An overview of elements2m 48s
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Saturation to neutralization3m 22s
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Temperature: How hot is hot?3m 12s
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4. Contrast
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What is contrast?3m 10s
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5. Color and Light
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Illuminating light1m 54s
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Value and saturation2m 27s
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On temperature2m 58s
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On complements2m 10s
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RGB vs. CMYK3m 2s
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6. Palettes
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An introduction to palettes2m 15s
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Harmony and discord2m 33s
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Unifying color grounds2m 40s
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Unifying glazes and layers2m 13s
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Charting a color family2m 8s
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7. Color Shape, Texture, and Context
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Weaving textural color2m 50s
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Color in context2m 31s
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Color blindness3m 15s
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Next Steps
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Conclusion1m 3s
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Video: Illuminating light