Color theory and color harmony

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Color theory encompasses a multitude of definitions, concepts and design applications. All the information would fill several encyclopedias. As an introduction, here are a few basic concepts.
A color circle, based on red, yellow and blue, is traditional in the field of art. Sir Isaac Newton developed the first circular diagram of colors in 1666. Since then scientists and artists have studied and designed numerous variations of this concept. Differences of opinion about the validity of one format over another continue to provoke debate. In reality, any color circle or color wheel which presents a logically arranged sequence of pure hues has merit.

PRIMARY COLORS - Red, yellow and blue.
In traditional color theory, these are the 3 pigment colors that can not be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these 3 hues.


SECONDARY COLORS - Green, orange and purple.

These are the colors formed by mixing the primary colors.

TERTIARY COLORS - Yellow-orange, red-orange, red - purple, blue - purple, blue - green and yellow - green.
These are the colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That's why the hue is a two word name, such as blue - green, red - violet, and yellow - orange.

COLOR HARMONY

In visual experiences, harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye. It engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience. When something is not harmonious, it's either boring or chaotic. At one extreme is a visual experience that is so bland that the viewer is not engaged. The human brain will reject under-stimulating information. At the other extreme is a visual experience that is so overdone, so chaotic that the viewer can't stand to look at it. The human brain rejects what it can not organize, what it can not understand. The visual task requires that we present a logical structure. Color harmony delivers visual interest and a sense of order.

Some Formulas for Color Harmony...

There are many theories for harmony. The following illustrations and descriptions present some basic formulas.

A color scheme based on analogous colors...
Analogous colors are any three colors which are side by side on a 12 part color wheel, such as yellow - green, yellow, and yellow - orange. Usually one of the three colors predominates.


A color scheme based on complementary colors...
Complementary colors are any two colors which are directly opposite each other, such as red and green and red - purple and yellow - green. In the illustration above, there are several variations of yellow - green in the leaves and several variations of red - purple in the orchid. These opposing colors create maximum contrast and maximum stability.

A color scheme based on nature...

Nature provides a perfect departure point for color harmony. In the illustration above, red yellow and green create a harmonious design, regardless of whether this combination fits into a technical formula for color harmony.

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Pierre Paulin. This exhibition is a homage to the talent of one of the most important French designers of the mid-20th century. In 1952, Pierre Paulin's first designs caught the attention at the Thonet firm through which he discovered and mastered new materials in the manner of the American designers Eames, Saarinen and Bertoia. It is only in 1956, after responding to harry Wagemans'invitation to join Artifort, that Paulin found the means and the support he needed to realize the production of his designs. In his concern for simplicity and refusal of any lyrical effect, his designs were given numbers. His innovate productions anticipated social revolutions through the lifestyles they encouraged. At the end of the 1960's, Paulin benefited from a close collaboration with the talented and inventive artisans of the new atelier of research and creation from "le Mobilier National", which coincided with the renovation of the Denon wing of the Musée du Louvre, the renovation of the private apartments of the President Georges Pompidou at the Elysée and lastly the creation of furniture for the Presidential Office of François Mitterrand in 1983. Although these prestigious commissions contributed to his renown, other designs, however, permitted the public to discover the comfort of modern living. These are the designs which we have decided to present at the gallery, a place that draws them closer to the sculptural works that in essence, they are. At once sculptural and rigorously functional, they're studied forms cradle the body in perfect harmony. A man of the future, Paulin scattered his path with poetic objects that were ahead of their time and whose rediscovery more than 30 years later inspire admiration.

- mushroom chair

- tongue chair

- ribbon chair

- 598 chair

- oyster chair

- tulip chair

- little tulip

- globe and little globe chairs

- orange slice chair

- ben chair

mouse - Philippe Starck

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