What is a chromatic circle for?

The daily colors are presented in bulk before our eyes. They are treated by our minds so that they are easily identified. It is therefore easy for us to distinguish one color compared to another. And it is not by chance that we distinguish more on panels, facades, etc.

But the colors are not always presented in any way. In some professional areas, there are codes to follow and standards to be respected. It is in this context that between the famous chromatic circle.

What is a chromatic circle?

AND an orderly representation of colors. These are presented to follow the order given by the rainbow. In this chromatic circle, the closure is performed by a transition from red to purple. Although we distinguish only a few well -defined colors in a rainbow, the chromatic circle, adopts the same concept but including shades, intensity and saturation.

The colors are presented discontinuously. With such precision, The chromatic circle is mainly used in dyeing, painting, mode, industrial design, graphic artsetc.

In the «Common of Mortals» a rose remains a rose without wanting to really discuss even if there is a nuance. Which is not exactly the case for some people. Moreover, From antiquity the perception of color has been different. In these times, we have classified the colors on a staircase and the base has always been made with black and white. Since then, a sky blue and an intense blue have been considered two different colors. And it is in this perspective that the chromatic circle allows to distinguish between value and appreciation. This is all the interest of using the chromatic circle. This last structure is the perception of colors in reality and by registering them in a certain system. The goal is to maintain bright and pure colors following rigorous presentation principles.

The chromatic circle has only an organization of pure colors. All colors are taken under a tie. Note that a pure color is a color not me and cannot be approached through a mixture of other colors. Johannes Iten states that «the chromatic circle is a fundamental element of the aesthetic teaching of colors, because it represents the classification of colors.» «

Also be presented as a rainbow, The chromatic circle, however, responds to the rules of the color of the system. There are therefore primary colors: red, green and blue. These colors are unique because they cannot be obtained from mixtures of other colors. So the fundamental colors associated with primary colors arrive.

The fundamental colors are inseparable with primary colors. Given this distinction, it should be noted that primary colors are used only with each other. Nobody prohibits their association but would give too rich blends. This is the reason why we distinguish other colors for harmonious results. It is also thanks to these other colors that we can get deep and truly original pallets.

Color classification

In a book or on the internet we will present the basic classification of the following color. It allows you to know what color goes with another and how to make sure you have good results. And all these colors are presented in a methodical way in a chromatic circle. In short, the latter acts as a «brief summary», allowing you to make quick choices.

Primary colors: These are What we call the main colors. They are the source of all other colors. These are blue, red and yellow. Sometimes we can distinguish them as basic colors. Scientists emit the hypothesis that the primary colors correspond to the colors of the waves that are perceived by the sensory sensors of the eye. The basic colors are always three in number. And in parallel with the CMJ trio (Ciano, Magenta, Yellow), we also find the famous RVB trio (red, green, blue). In the case of the press, for example, we include black but the presence of this color is optional.

Secondary colors: It is the result of the combination of two primary colors in equal quantities. An unlimited number of shades is obtained. This is not based mainly based on the colors chosen but to their respective quantity when mixing them. They are mainly the painters who have more fun varying colors to obtain more original colors. On the chromatic circle, we find the secondary colors around primary colors.

Tertiary colors: They are obtained by mixing a secondary color and one of the two primary colors that make it up. 6 colors are included in the primary color: violet, turquoise, indigo, ocher, chartreuse green and vermilion. In the chromatic circle, the tertiary colors are located outside.

The same formation of these colors in the circle allows to distinguish them with precision and not to be wrong in the color adopted. So they can be recreated more easily without risk of confusion.

• Harmony and color layout

It is not always easy to have good harmony when it comes to mixing the colors. That's why the chromatic circle exists. Nowadays, there are codes to follow to correctly organize the colors and the basic reference remains the chromatic circle. Therefore, we do not get disparate or too busy results. To avoid this type of inconvenience it takes a good harmony of colors. You can easily have it with similar shades in the chromatic circle. In parallel we can also organize the colors by betting the composition of the tone on the tone. The goal is to take a single color and add black and white. We can then subsequently various shades based on the same color. Overall, we get a homogeneous and pleasant result to watch without going through excessive use. Regardless of the mixtures, following the system and according to the chromatic circle, you can easily get beautiful colors.

• Color identification

Above all, the chromatic circle is used to identify the color. The latter responds to the principle of decomposition of light. By presenting the colors in this wheel, you can easily distinguish the 12 different basic colors. This is what allows you to choose the right color before taking important projects. It is above all in the professional world that the chromatic circle provides its help. Identification is performed through the starting points, including the three main colors. It is from these colors that you can have the secondary colors. In fact we mix them and we can get after green, orange or purple. Note that the latter are intermediate among the primary colors. So we can create other blends that give other colors to the different shades.

Starting from this principle, mixtures can be made without devaluing any color. The chromatic circle allows you to associate the colors well by distinguishing them as in the case of the following categories:

Monochromatic colors: These are the colors of the same color. They present the different colors in a color. They can be associated with each other to have more important or not color contrasts. These colors allow you to play with darker or clearer results.

Similar colors: These are three colors positioned side by side. We can associate them to play with contrasts and in the search for more beautiful effects.

Complementary colors: In the chromatic circle, these colors face each other. These are colors that can go together playing with the quantity. One must be in greater quantity of the other. However, we can play with the similarity of the quantities, but the results are not really very convincing.

The distinction of these different types of colors allows you to identify better. A color defined for its fair value can be associated with other colors. The results can be predefined in advance because the color classification always guarantees good results.

The chromatic circle in which field?

Some areas in particular cannot do without the chromatic circle. We note in particular the professional world that must meet very distinct requirements. It should be noted above all that all areas relating to the use of painting use the chromatic circle. Large companies specialized in painting and tincture cannot do without this circle. However, art will be positioned at the top of the list because it is the first area that used the chromatic circle and this in all forms. Although in artistic activities, The sixth sense plays its role in choosing colors, the chromatic wheel always plays an essential role. At the same time, fashion also uses it to find a harmonious mixture while arousing interest. In all cases, the circle intervenes in many areas in search of precision and perfection in the perception of colors in general.

If the world as we perceive use this circle to highlight every color, the virtual world is not so neglected. When you turn on the TV, perceive only the colors of the orange or yellow type, etc. However, we face countless color palettes. Because the chromatic circle also occurs on TV screens, computer, telephone, etc. It all starts with primary colors: red, yellow and blue. But these colors have specific names: Ciano Blu, Magenta red and yellow. The virtual world cannot do without these colors and the chromatic circle in the colors alliance.

The world of design and decoration also benefits from the chromatic circle. People today judge easily according to the choices we adopt in life. The influence of the trends is such that we cannot do without. Although it is actually possible to overwrite the codes imposed by the company, it is often difficult to know how to marry colors. And in reality the choice of colors is of capital importance. And this is interpreted beyond reality because the colors perform roles on our psychology thus influencing emotions and moods mainly. The color association is therefore not the possibility and requires know-how. And it is on this point that the decoration and design impress.

Our living space must be pleasant for us and our psychological state in general. We believe that the chromatic circle stops only on a professional level. The implementation of this system plays an important psychological role. According to some studies conducted, we choose specific colors, our organization, mood, concentration can be strongly influenced or even affected. It is in the search for the perfect shade that we can find a certain balance. And it is according to all that the world of design and decoration is based. It will be noticed for example that the green in a certain shade calm the mind. A soft red can improve blood circulation while a bright red can quickly arouse anger.

The chromatic circle intervenes in many areas and it is useful both professionally and personal. Everything is a matter of perspective. However, we can summarize that the circle acts as a reference in the choice of ideal colors and to satisfy very specific codes and standards. Everything is simply knowing how to make good mixtures following the classification of each color.