Key CLP exercises for a Universal Foundation
The set of exercises below represents the starting point for a foundation in colour literacy, structured around the four cornerstones. The CLP seeks to reframe colour education as a broad, interdisciplinary exploratory experience. Please read our FAQ to begin, for additional background on our approach. Note that the exercises can be done in any order. Feel free to do any additional exercises.
EXPERIENCING COLOURS
Core Concept: We are surrounded by colours
Choose 1 of:
Surrounded by colours
Scavenger hunt
Colour diary
The changing colours of nature
Background reading:
Experience colours all around us
Colour plays many roles in our lives
DESCRIBING COLOURS
Core Concept: Expanding colour language (colours are more than just hue!)
Sorting cluster - Do all:
Arranging hue families
Arranging characters
Achromatic vs chromatic
Background reading:
Intro to CHROMO sorting set
See FAQ entry on Can the exercises be adapted for students with limited colour vision?
Core Concept: Colour organization is 3-dimensional
Hue planes model
Recommended: Lightness chroma model
PERCEIVING COLOURS
Core Concept: Colour perception is contextual
Colours are contextual cluster - Do all: Koffka ring
Munker-White illusion
Simultaneous contrast
Core Concept: Light is key for colour
Light is key for colour cluster
Choose 2 of:
Lights on and off
Orange cube
Changing spatial contexts
Recommended: Examining the rainbow
Background reading:
Colour is a perception
Non-spectral hues
WORKING WITH COLOURS
Core concept: Colours communicate
Communicating with colours cluster
Character associations
Squares & diamonds
Core concept: Mixing results depend on process
Choose 1 of:
Comparative mixing
Comparing complements
Background reading:
Why can’t you mix colours?
