color theory
Color is one of those things you either can’t get enough of or can’t take for another second. It’s presence and its absence are both felt. Your personal relationship with color is for you and you alone.
Color is the general term we use to describe every hue, tone, tint or shade we see. It is the property possessed by an object, producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light.
The Facets of Color
People have a tendency to use the terms ‘hue’ and ‘color’ interchangeably. It's very common, especially with artists and designers, to assume the two mean the same thing. To an extent, they do, but technically, they don’t. Hue refers to the origin of the color we see. Think of a hue as one of the six primary and secondary colors. According to the infamous Artist Wheel, the 3 primary colors are red, yellow and blue. By primary, it means they cannot be made by mixing other colors together. Secondary colors include orange, purple and green. These colors are a result of mixing equal amounts of two primary colors at a time. Keep in mind that the ratio of each color you use when mixing them affects the final hue.
Tertiary colors are made by mixing equal amounts of a primary color and a secondary color together. There are six tertiary colors. On the color wheel, they live between the primary and secondary colors they are mixed from. The tertiary colors are yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, red-violet, red-orange and yellow-orange (also known as amber).
The collective color palette has evolved over time to include ‘non-colors’ or achromatic color, ones not found on the color wheel. White, black and gray are often referred to as colors. However, they are actually just shades and tints of existing colors.
A tint is a variation of a color produced by the addition of white, characterized by a low saturation with relatively high lightness. A shade is any hue or mixture of pure colors produced by the addition of black or gray. Even white, an achromatic color lacking hue, can be manipulated by introducing a small percentage of black, gray and other primary or secondary colors.
Warm vs. Cool
Want to wet the appetite? Consider warm colors which include reds, oranges and yellows. These colors are often associated with food, known to elicit feelings of hunger. If you notice, it tends to be a fast food restaurant favorite.
Want to get your creative energy flowing? Consider cool colors which include blues, purples and greens. Purple combines both red and blue , balancing between stimulation and serenity for that art studio you’re thinking of building.
It is important to note that warm + cool are also undertones. Undertones are exactly what they sound like: the underlying foundation of a color we see that can take it in either direction of warm or cool. There are reds that have a more cool undertone and greens that have a more yellow undertone. You especially notice the nuances when you are in the paint aisle and see all of the options. No two greens are exactly the same just like no whites or blacks are the same. When redecorating, be very specific and intentional with your color selection. Carry your paint swatch with you when shopping for fabrics and materials. It makes a HUGE difference.
Color Representation
Society has placed meaning on colors. These are the standard associations independent of your own personal life experiences:
Black - power, strength, authority + mourning
Gray - neutrality, timelessness + pragmatism
Red - passion, comfort + intensity
Orange - energy, prosperity + stimulation
Blue - loyalty, truth, focus + serenity
Yellow - laughter, optimism + hunger
Green - tranquility, growth, harmony + fertility
Purple - sophistication, exoticism, spirituality, royalty + mourning
White - innocence, cleanliness, purity + mourning
Notice there is some overlap and contradiction. Purple may represent royalty or mourning to you depending on your culture. How we interpret color is also associated with our life experiences. We may align a certain color with a traumatic experience and find it difficult to connect with that color as a result. It’s all subjective and open to interpretation.
Businesses use colors strategically to create the energy they are trying to engender within their establishment. You can do the same when decorating or even getting dressed. Wear what feels like a power color when you are trying to close a deal. Wear a color that reminds you to cheer up when you are feeling sad. It does make a difference and now you know how!
Thank you for tuning in. Catch us on Pinterest. Feel free to comment directly or email if you have further questions. We are amidst revamping our business model. You are welcomed and encouraged to join us as we transition.
xoxo
amelia dawn + shanelle julia rosita
♡
