CA Color Theory & Composition 3

Question 1

What does 'color temperature' refer to in painting?

Accepted Answer

The perceived warmth or coolness of a color based on its hue

Answer

Color temperature refers to the perceived warmth (reds, oranges, yellows) or coolness (blues, greens, violets) of a color, which affects mood and spatial perception in a composition.

Question 2

How does atmospheric (aerial) perspective use color to create the illusion of depth?

Accepted Answer

Objects in the distance appear cooler, lighter, and less saturated

Answer

Atmospheric perspective mimics how atmosphere scatters light — distant objects appear cooler (more blue), lighter in value, and less saturated than foreground objects.

Question 3

A triadic color scheme uses which colors?

Accepted Answer

Three colors equally spaced around the color wheel

Answer

A triadic color scheme uses three colors equally spaced (120° apart) around the color wheel, offering strong visual contrast while maintaining harmony.

Question 4

What is the difference between a 'tint' and a 'shade' of a color?

Accepted Answer

A tint adds white to lighten a color; a shade adds black to darken it

Answer

A tint is created by adding white to a color to make it lighter, while a shade is created by adding black to make it darker.

Question 5

Which 19th-century painting technique relies on placing small dots of pure color side by side so the viewer's eye blends them optically?

Accepted Answer

Pointillism

Answer

Pointillism, developed by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, uses small dots of pure color that the viewer's eye and brain blend into mixed colors from a distance.

(CA) Certified Artist Practice Test

(CA) Certified Artist Practice Test

CA Color Theory & Composition 3