IMPORTANT: I don’t want to lose you on this because you think its boring. If you are interested in USING colors but not  the mixing of colors and background info, skip down to USING COLOR.

Lesson One: The History of Color Theory

Just kidding, I’m not going to give you homework on who first wrote about the application of color theory (Leone Battista Alberti c.1435 and good ol’ Leo da Vinci c.1490) But I do think its important to understand some basics about color before you start choosing the shades you want on your living room wall or even in the scrap fabric you use to embellish a t-shirt. 

First off, lets talk about the basics.  

There are three words I want you to read and then store away in the back of your head:  saturation, lightness and hue.  Saturation = intense vs. dull  

Lightness (or value) = white vs. black or light vs. dark

Hue = green, blue, red, purple or orange.  

The only reason I want you to have those words knocking around in there is so you know what to ask for at a paint store, or what someone is talking about in what color they have chosen.  Lesson one = complete.

Lesson Two: What Colors Work Well Together

Have you ever seen a color wheel?  Well, here you go:

The red, blue and yellow spots are primary colors.

Mixing primary colors results in secondary colors, which fill the spaces between primary colors (red + yellow = orange, blue + yellow = green, blue + red = purple (or violet)

Further mixing secondary colors results in filling the rest of the spaces on the wheel, these are tertiary colors (yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green and yellow-green. 

With all the colors in place, the color wheel resembles a rainbow.  Refer to the wheel as a visual guide when figuring out complementary and contrasting colors…right now!

USING COLOR

Complimentary (aka contrasting) Colors: Simple answer? The complimentary colors are found opposite one another on the color wheel (red/green, yellow/purple, blue/orange) Ever wonder why the Vikings, the Broncos and well, Christmas have such popular, memorable colors?  They naturally compliment each other!  

If you choose complimentary colors, the result will ALWAYS be pleasing to the eye.  Remember that you can use different saturations of a color you like on the wheel.  Like the green/red combo? Use sage green and mediterranean inspired brick red. Maybe you like the blue/orange compliment, try french blue and deep gold for a provencal feel.  Choosing contrasting colors will make the colors you choose stand out more vibrantly.

Analogous Colors: This just entails choosing colors that are near one another on the wheel. I think of these color combinations as harmonious and easily to blend.  If your color choice is yellow, then pairing it with red and orange will create a soft, warm look.  Like purple?  Choose a royal blue and teal to go with it and you’re golden…well, not golden – you’ve got a great color combo.

WARM vs. COOL 

Everyone has a natural tone to their appearance.  I am a warm person.  And I don’t mean that I have a kind heart and an easy demeanor (though I like to think I do) I tend to look better in warm colors because they highlight the undertones of my skin and (natural) hair color.  Cool tones don’t work as well on me.  Want to know if you’re cool or warm? Click here) 

WARM COLORS:  these are made up of the red hues (pink, tangerine,  salmon, gold, brick, brown etc) These are usually associated with warmth, comfort and energy.  

COOL COLORS: these are made up of the blue hues (teal, grass green, navy, pea green, turquoise etc) Cool colors are soothing, calming, and tend to anchor color schemes.  

Want some visual examples instead of all this wordy-ness?  Here ya go…