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Lesson 4 of 7
  • Year 11

Revisiting colour theory: the science and emotion of colour

I can use the principles of colour theory for technical and expressive purposes.

Lesson 4 of 7
New
New
  • Year 11

Revisiting colour theory: the science and emotion of colour

I can use the principles of colour theory for technical and expressive purposes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The core concepts of colour theory include: hue, saturation, value, temperature and harmony.
  2. Colour has psychological and emotional effects which can evoke mood, tension, and atmosphere.
  3. Using colour with purpose to create a painting that communicates a specific feeling, idea, or concept.

Keywords

  • Hue - the pure colour itself, like red or blue

  • Saturation - how intense or vivid a colour is

  • Colour - what we see when light hits an object

  • Tone - how light or dark a colour is

Common misconception

Pupils may think that colour has universal meanings.

Remind pupils that colour has different symbolic meaning around the world.


To help you plan your year 11 art and design lesson on: Revisiting colour theory: the science and emotion of colour, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Keep a dual focus: the science of colour and the emotional impact it can have. This means helping students to, first, understand the technical language and principles of colour theory and then connect this knowledge to how colour choices affect mood, atmosphere, and meaning in painting.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A range of brushes, palette knives, sponges, or improvised tools such as card and sticks; acrylic paints in a variety of colours; mixing palettes or trays; water pots; sketchbooks or paper towels.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Tone is about how light or dark a colour appears.

Correct Answer: True, Correct

Q2.
Which components make up colour in art and design?

Correct answer: hue, saturation, and tone
contrast, value, and pattern
tint, shade, and gradient
light, shadow, and reflection

Q3.
Value (light and dark) helps create depth and can make objects appear three-dimensional.

Correct answer: True
False

Q4.
Which of these statements about colour temperature is correct?

Correct answer: Warm colours (red, yellow, orange) are linked with heat and energy.
Correct answer: Cool colours (blue, purple, green) are linked with calm.
Colour temperature has no effect on depth in a painting.
Correct answer: Warm and cool colours can be used together to create contrast.

Q5.
Which of these are examples of colour harmony schemes?

Correct answer: complementary (opposites on the wheel)
Correct answer: analogous (next to each other on the wheel)
Correct answer: triadic (three evenly spaced colours)
monochrome only

Q6.
How might an artist use colour to change the mood of a painting?

Correct answer: bright, warm colours to create energy and excitement
Correct answer: dark, muted tones to create mystery or sadness
using only one colour so the painting has no feeling
Correct answer: cool blues and greens to create calmness

Additional material

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