5/16/2025 7:32:26 PM	ART 4 Course Outline as of Fall 2026	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ART 4	Title:  PRINCIPLES OF COLOR
Full Title:  Principles of Color
Last Reviewed:5/12/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	35.00
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	4.00		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	70.00
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	6.00			Contact Total	105.00
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 175.00

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

In this course, students will explore the theory and application of color in two dimensional, visual art. Through lectures, extensive hands-on color mixing exercises, studio projects, and critiques, students will develop both technical skills and an understanding of traditional and modern approaches to color, color relationships, optical perceptions of color, and its expressive possibilities.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion of ENGL C1000 ( or ENGL 1A) or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this course, students will explore the theory and application of color in two dimensional, visual art. Through lectures, extensive hands-on color mixing exercises, studio projects, and critiques, students will develop both technical skills and an understanding of traditional and modern approaches to color, color relationships, optical perceptions of color, and its expressive possibilities.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Course Completion of ENGL C1000 ( or ENGL 1A) or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
Area:	E	Humanities
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	C1	Arts		Fall 1990
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	3A	Arts		Fall 1981
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: ARTS 270	Color Theory	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): ART4

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Create a portfolio of work demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of color relationships, using the color wheel to develop these relationships, integrating color theory with optical perceptions of color, and using color for expression in visual compositions.

2. Analyze, evaluate and critique the use of color in personal artwork and the work of peers both verbally and in writing using a specialized color vocabulary and a demonstrated understanding of the principles of color theory.

 

Objectives:

1. Develop and demonstrate perception and awareness of color relationships and principles, such as value, chroma and hue, tinctorial strength, warm/cool, optical effects, atmospheric perspective and simultaneous contrast.

2. Develop hand skills necessary to effectively mix and apply acrylic paint and understand health and safety concerns of paint and pigments.

3. Execute visually compelling compositions that demonstrate an understanding of complex color relationships, optical phenomenon and spatial effects.

4. Analyze the differences between traditional color wheels red, yellow and blue (RYB) and modern color wheels cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY), including their applications.

5. Understand the relationship of subtractive/reflective color mixing and additive/light color mixing and how this relates to the biological perception of color as Red, Green and Blue light.

6. Adjust hue, chroma and value using the principles of a traditional, artist double primary color wheel and understanding how to use this wheel to form complementary, analogous, split complementary, and triadic color combinations.

7. Analyze historical and contemporary artists and designers use of color relationships, spatial dynamics, and optical effects. 

8. Learn and apply essential color terminology to effectively articulate color decisions and evaluate outcomes in critiques and in written reflections.

9. Develop the expertise to present work professionally in a portfolio format.

Topics and Scope

I. Basic Elements of Color

     A. Value

     B. Hue

    C. Chroma

    D. Additive (light) vs subtractive (reflective) Color

     E. Color wheel, traditional vs modern (red, yellow, blue vs magenta, cyan, yellow)

II. Subtractive Color Principles and Techniques

    A. Simultaneous contrast

    B. Tinctorial strength (how potent the color pigment is when mixed)

    C. Adjusting value (including tints, tones and shades)

    D. Adjusting hue (maintaining chroma by analogous mixing)

    E. Adjusting chroma (reducing chroma by complementary mixing)

    F. Tinctorial strength (how potent the colored pigment is when mixed)

    G. Double primary color wheel, combining traditional and modern wheels for maximum spectral range in subtractive mixing.

    H. Chromatic blacks (Using Primaries)

    I. Color matching

     J. Spatial component of color- receding and advancing

    K. Atmospheric perspective- creating the illusion of deep space

    L. Optical mixing

     M. Creating the illusion of transparency

     N. How to use the color wheel to create combinations of colors: monochromatic, complementary, split-complimentary, analogous, triadic and warm/cool.

    O. Color as a compositional element

    P. Color to create/convey meaning and mood

III.  Proper Use of Paint Medium and Tools

    A. Acrylic paint

     B. Synthetic brushes

    C. Palette knife and palette paper

    D. Painting substrate, bristol paper

    E. Mounting and professional presentation, signing in graphite

    F. Safe handling and disposal of waste

IV. Historical and Modern Development of Color Systems and Pigments

V. Visual examples of Color Usage in Contemporary and Historical Art and Design from a Diversity of Cultural, Ethnic Backgrounds and Inclusive Perspectives

VI. Visual Literacy Component

    A. Group critique of color projects and assignments

    B. Written feedback, peer given and received

   

All Topics are covered in the lecture and lab portions of the course.

Assignments:

Lecture-Related Assignments and Lab-Related Assignments:

1. Understanding the basic elements of color exercises such as:

    a. 9-step Gray Scale: Create and control a value gradient.

    b. Value Mixing Exercises: Structured mixing exercises to explore Tinctorial Strength, Tint, Tone and Shade for each pigment of our primary colors.

    c. Monochromatic Composition: Develop a composition using variations of a single hue to explore value and chroma.

    d. Hue Mixing Exercises: Structured exercises using each pigment of our double primary system to understand through experience how to maximize chroma through analogous mixing relationships.

    e. Create maximum color chroma  through understanding the color spectrum as it applies to our pigments in the double primary system.

    f. Chroma Mixing Exercises: Structured mixing exercises using complementary pairs to reduce chroma.

     g. Neutral Exploration: Explore complementary pair to create composition with highly reduced chroma.

    h. Chromatic Black: Understanding subtractive color mixing and color wheel relationships to make a neutral black and create a composition.

    i. Building Color Combinations: Creating cohesive color palette to communicate mood from memory or observation. Observe Simultaneous Contrast and Spatial Receding and Advancing phenomena.

    j. Atmospheric Color: Use shifts in Value and Chroma to create depth and the illusion of deep space.

    k. Transparency: Produce a painting that uses color to create the illusion of transparency. Use color wheel relationships to determine combinations.

    l. Optical Mixing: Explore phenomenon of optical color mixing and alternative paint applications.

    m. Advanced Color Mixing Challenge: Mix and match colors to replicate a palette from observation, emphasizing nuanced color relationships.

    n. Final Project - Self Portrait Through Color: Create an artwork that uses color to tell a story or communicate a theme, incorporating spatial depth. Include a written artist statement.

3. Portfolio: Compile a completed portfolio of projects for review and discussion.

4. Additional assignments as determined by instructor may include: Exam(s) and/or quiz(zes)

5. Attendance and participation

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments and skill demonstrations are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 40 - 60%
Project(s) and portfolio
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 30%
Basic elements of color
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 10%
Exam(s) and/or quiz(zes) (if assigned)
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 10 - 30%
Attendance and class participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The Elements of Color, New Edition.  Itten, Johannes. Spoon Press, 1990. (Classic).

Interaction of Color, 50th ed. Albers, Josef. Yale University Press, 2013. (Classic).

Instructor provided materials

Print PDF