The chromatic circle, chromatic rose or color wheel is a color representation system, generally in the form of a circle, in which three primary colors and the derivations of their mixtures are arranged.
This type of representation was introduced for the first time by the English physicist Isaac Newton in the year 1666, taking as primary colors red, yellow and blue, and was used mainly in the world of the arts..
Over time, some changes have been made to the choice of primary colors. This is because, depending on the medium in which the color is to be represented and the model to be used (additive or subtractive), different shades are generated.
On the other hand, due to the way in which it is arranged, the chromatic circle allows a harmonious visualization of the colors, showing the closeness or distance between them. It is for this reason that it is used to select the colors that combine best with each other..
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The chromatic circle is formed from three primary colors, and the derivations that arise from the combinations of these.
Depending on the model that is chosen, the primary colors will be different, as well as their secondary colors. Also, the color wheel can be 6, 12, 24, 48, or more colors, if it is a staggered representation. It can also be represented in other ways, such as gradient or flower shape (chromatic rose).
Within the chromatic circle are the following colors:
Each color model has its own color wheel:
It is the one that results when the colors of a segment of light are distributed around a circle.
It is the color wheel based on the primary colors red, yellow and blue. Since the Middle Ages it was proposed that these were the basic colors, from which the other colors derive.
In the additive system, colors are formed by the addition of colored lights, therefore they are not tangible. This system is used in computer monitors, televisions and cell phones, among others..
In the subtractive system, the colors lose pigmentation as they are mixed, forming new tones. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key. The latter is black, which results by mixing the first three.
This system is used for printing or painting, among other tangible media.
The following example explains how a 12-color RGB color wheel is constructed.
The first step is to draw a perfect circle, for this you can use a compass or also any object that has a circular perimeter and draw it, preferably, on a white sheet.
Then, straight lines should be drawn starting from the center of the circle to the edge. The number of lines to be drawn is equal to the number of colors to be represented. Also, the spacing between each line must be the same.
In the case of 12 colors, the separation is the same as that of the hours on a clock.
Once the circle and its divisions have been made, the three primary colors are placed equidistant, that is, each primary color must be separated from the other by the same number of boxes..
An easy way to calculate the number of boxes in which the primary colors are located is by dividing the number of colors that the color wheel will have by three, which is the number of primary colors..
Since the color wheel is 12 colors in this example, each primary color is 4 squares apart. So, taking as an example the arrangement of the hours of a clock, if one color is located at the 12 hour, the next one goes at the 4 hour, and the other at the 8 hour.
With the primary colors in place, the secondary colors are added, which are located between the two colors with which it was formed..
In the case of the 12-color chromatic wheel, the separation between each primary color is 3 boxes, therefore, the secondary colors are placed in the middle box, leaving a free box on each side.
Finally, the tertiary colors are placed in the boxes that were left empty. These colors are formed by mixing the two colors of the boxes next to them..
There are several studies regarding the reaction caused by colors in humans, as well as their combination.
The chromatic circle is generally used as a guide to choose the composition of colors that a painting, a company logo or a publication in a magazine will have, among others..
In this sense, depending on the reaction to be achieved, different techniques can be used, using a hue of similar colors, which are close to each other, or also, using complementary colors, which are in opposite places of the chromatic circle..
However, the representation system must also be chosen depending on the medium in which the work is to be exhibited. If the representation is to be done on cell phones or television, the RGB system must be chosen. On the other hand, if it is to be printed, the CMYK system is used.
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