Learning the Color Language Part 2

Pure Colors : All colors formed by mixing primary colors in varying proportions, undiluted by black, white, or grey are pure colors.

Color Value : Value refers to the quantity of light or dark in colors. Adding black or White to a pure color will give a new color value. The addition of white gives a tint (lightens color value); black gives a shade (darkens color value) - eg, shell pink is a tint; plum is a shade.

Color Intensity (the strength of a color): Grey is mixed by either a combination of red, yellow and blue, or black and while. The addition of grey to any pure color gives intensity (or strength of color). Therefore any color which contains the three primary colors, or two primaries plus grey, has intensity - that is, brightness or dullness.

Colors close together on the color wheel are harmonious (see violet, blue-violet); those furthest apart on the opposite side of the wheel are unrelated. The unrated colors are called complementary, or contrasting colors for instance, yellow-orange blue-violet. The greater the distance apart on the color wheel, the more distinct the contrast. One can see at a glance how opposed are the contrasts of red and green but then, opposites attract! Study the color-wheel and notice how each color's direct opposite is that particular color's most perfect contrast - red and green for instance, or orange and primary blue. Complementary color schemes make good decorating. But beware of using two primary colors in large doses ¬the effect will be garish and strident.

Analogous (or neighboring) colors are those which are next to each other on the color wheel. Each contains a fair amount of its neighbor's hue, and in decorating, they often make good partners.

Monochromatic colors arc tints and shades and greyed tones of one color, for example', ice blue, delphinium blue, pale aqua, mid-blue, royal blue and so on When used in a decorating scheme, monochromatic colors are very restful and appealing but one or two contrasting accent colors are needed to overcome any feeling of monotony. To use this type of scheme successfully requires a certain amount of sophistication in taste plus either experience in decorating or a ready-made scheme to copy down to the last accessory.