Understanding Color

A. Understanding Color

Human eye can see 6-7 million colorsUsually, the most noticeable feature of

clothesA design element (line, space, shape, texture)Use color to improve appearance, to draw

attention away from areas you want to de-emphasize and to areas you want to accentuate.

Color can create an illusion of height and size.

B. Impact of Color

1. Colors as Symbols

Traffic lights—red = stop, etc.

  Colors associated with

holidays—red & green = Christmas, etc.

Ceremonies and celebrations—white = weddings, baptism, etc.; black = funeral, etc.

Team colors, organizations, and countries—flags, uniforms, etc.

Emotions –“blue”-sad, “green”-envy, “in the red”-debt, “in the black”-solvent, etc.

2. Colors and Temperature

Warm colors—red, yellow, orange (fire, sun)

Cool colors—blues, greens, violet

Black—absorbs light (warmth)

White—reflects light (coolness)

3. Colors and Movement

  “Warm” colors appear to

“advance” (& attract attention)

  “Cool” colors appear to

“recede” 

4. Colors and Mood

Color influence mood—“cool” colors subdue—sense of calm and relaxation

“Warm” colors express excitement and stimulate action—encourage cheerfulness

  These psychological

influences are used in planning interiors for businesses, restaurants, hospitals, etc.

C. The Language of Color

1. What Is Color? 

Hue—color name-- “blue”, “red”, etc.

Light is the source of all color (proved by Sir Isacc Newton—mid 1600’s; light is refracted through a prism or moisture in the air bending the various rays showing their color)

All objects contain pigments—substances that absorb light rays and reflect others. You see those colors that reflect back to your eyes. 

2. The Color Wheel

A device (circle) used to show the relationship of colors to each other.

Primary colors—red, yellow, blue—colors from which all others are formed

  Secondary colors—green, orange, violet (purple)—formed when

equal parts of two primary colors are combined: red + yellow = orange; blue + red = violet ;yellow + blue = green

  Intermediate colors—yellow-orange, yellow-green, red-violet, red-

orange, blue-green, blue-violet—formed when equal parts of a primary and its adjacent secondary are combined

  Complementary colors—red and green, blue and orange, yellow and

violet. Colors that lie directly opposite each other on the color wheel.

3. Color Variations 

a. Value—the degree of lightness or darkness of a color; created by adding black or white to the color

  Tint—lighter color that results when white is added to a color—

pink, mint, etc. 

Shade—darker color that results when black is added to a color—navy, maroon, etc.

  b. Intensity—the brightness or dullness of a color.

  Intense or bright colors have more pigments—Jewel tones—ruby

red, emerald green, sapphire blue, etc. 

Dull, softened, or muted tones can be created by adding gray to the color or by adding its complementary color.—dusty rose, country green, cadet blue, khaki green, moss, etc.

4. Neutral Colors

--- lack of true color—black, white, gray

Black—absorbs all colors, reflects none.

White—absorbs no color, reflects all.

Beige is sometimes wrongly assumed to be a neutral. (actually have a yellow or green base)

D. Creating a Color Scheme

a plan for using a color or a combination of colors—to decorate a room or put together an outfit

1. Monochromatic—a color scheme that uses the values and intensities of just one color Example: pale blue shirt

with navy slacks or a French blue shirt with navy slacks

2. Analogous—a color scheme that uses two or more colors that are next to each color on the color wheel— blue, blue-green, and green are analogous

3. Accented Neutral—a color scheme that uses a small amount of color with a larger area of neutral—accent color brightens up the neutral color

4. Complementary—a color scheme that uses colors that are directly opposite on the color wheel

Not usually a good idea to use in equal quantities— each makes the other seem brighter by contrast.

Often better to use different values and intensities:

Instead of red and green----pink and forest green or burgundy and pine, etc.

Instead of blue and orange--- navy and rust, pale blue and peach, etc.

Or, to use a large amount of one color with a small touch of the complementary color:

Ex.: Red tie with narrow green stripes

5. Split-Complementary—a color scheme that uses two colors on each side of its direct complement. (Effect is not as bold as complementary color scheme— easier to use.)

Ex.: Yellow -- blue-violet -- red-violet

6. Triadic—a color scheme that uses 3 colors that are equal distance from each other on the color wheel

The 3 primary colors: Red-Yellow-Blue make up a triadic color scheme

E. Selecting Colors for You

Some color experts say that everyone can wear any color, as long as it has the right value and intensity.

Best to evaluate colors in natural light—“Ott” lights do not distort color and the “Reveal” bulbs also claim not to distort color.

Fluorescent light adds a blue tint and incandescent light adds a yellow tint.

Wardrobe colors are generally chosen in values and intensities of colors that complement your personal coloring, body shape, and height

1. Personal Coloring—consists of color of skin, hair, and eyes

  Skin Tones—vary widely

from ivory, cream, beige, honey, tan, olive, copper, to ebony

Skin with golden, yellow, or peach cast has warm undertones

Skin with blue or pink traces has cool undertones

2. Analyzing Colors

A good color accents your eyes or hair and seems to give them sparkle

Compare colors in various intensities and values to determine which colors make you look healthiest

  Some people use a color

analysis system based on “seasons” –based on hair, skin, and eye colors—warm and cool coloring

3. Body Shape

Some colors make you look larger while others make you look smaller, (or taller or shorter)

Based on the way some colors advance and other recede

  Warm, light, and bright colors

are more noticeable and make an area appear larger

Dull, dark, and cool colors make areas less noticeable and therefore smaller (or at least don’t add to size)

4. Height 

An unbroken block of color gives illusion of height—single color dressing or using only slight variations in color can make you look taller.

  Sharp contrast in color makes

you look shorter

5. Emphasis

Color can also be used to emphasize certain areas or diminish others. Bright contrasting scarf or belt draws attention to that area—matching belt minimizes a large waist.

6. Your Favorite Colors

Use your “best” colors when you want to look your best.

Compliments from others can help you to notice which colors are most flattering on you

Wearing favorite colors can also be fun