To many of us, color seems simple. After all, our our minds
process it instinctively. Think, for example, how many shades
of blue your eye can recognize from baby blue to navy blue.
Yes, color seems simple, but color theory can be complex. This
includes everything from theories about how color affects our
moods to the exact science of mixing pigments. Let's simply
focus on specific color groups and which to choose when to
create the emotion you best want to depict...
PRIMARY COLORS -
red, blue
and yellow
These colors form a combination that is harmonious, balanced and
pleasing to the eye. Try these variations to change the
emotional feel: lighten them for a soft look, darken them for a
more serious tone, or leave them at their brightest for a feel
that is playful and energetic.
LIGHTS AND BRIGHTS -
pink,
lavender, mint and peach
The word "pastel" brings to mind certain images, such as babies
and innocence. These colors evoke very specific emotions,
feelings of romance, nostalgia and serenity. Pastels tend to
become tiring to the eye in large amounts, so using limited
amounts of pastel against a neutral background will create
maximum impact.
RICH HUES -
emerald, ruby,
indigo and eggplant
Rich hues define a serious, dignified or dramatic look.
Seasonally, they depict autumn and winter; emotionally, they
reveal a sense of wealth and status. For a bold statement using
rich hues, using a black background works well. The key to
these colors is to keep it simple; the more balanced,
the stronger the impact will be.
EARTH TONES - terra cotta,
stucco, mustard and pumpkin
These colors convey a sense of substance and stability. Keep
earth tones at the forefront and avoid using them in combination
with large amounts of pastel, as these two color groups will
fight against each other and may undermine the feeling of warmth
you are trying to achieve.
No matter how you choose to use color, whether it be
monochromatic or even using a color as your main theme (as I
have done in the example layout), the combinations of color you
choose will only be successful if they convey your message to
the recipient. Much of color theory is personal and even
unpredictable, which is what makes it such a powerful tool in
both art and design!
