Design Principles & Color Theory Flashcards

In color mixing for decorative painting, 'optical mixing' refers to:

Answer: Placing small dots or strokes of color side by side so the eye blends them

Optical mixing (used in Pointillism) places separate color strokes close together so the viewer's eye blends them at a distance.

Which element of design refers to the perceived surface quality of an object — how rough or smooth it appears?

Answer: Texture

Texture describes the perceived tactile surface quality of an element, which can be actual (physical) or implied (visual).

A split-complementary color scheme consists of:

Answer: One color and the two colors on either side of its complement

A split-complementary scheme uses one base color plus the two hues adjacent to its direct complement, offering contrast with less tension than a full complementary scheme.

'Atmospheric perspective' in decorative painting achieves depth by:

Answer: Painting background objects with cooler, lighter, less detailed strokes

Atmospheric (aerial) perspective mimics how air and moisture cause distant objects to appear lighter, cooler, and less defined.

Which of the following is an example of asymmetrical balance?

Answer: A large vase on the left balanced by several smaller objects on the right

Asymmetrical balance achieves visual equilibrium by balancing unlike elements of different sizes or visual weight on either side of a composition.

Tertiary colors are created by mixing:

Answer: A primary color with the secondary color next to it

Tertiary colors result from mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color, yielding hues like red-orange, yellow-green, or blue-violet.

The concept of 'dominance' in a color scheme means:

Answer: One color occupies significantly more area than the others

Dominance in color means one hue, value, or intensity leads the composition while others play supporting roles, preventing visual chaos.