Archive for the ‘Color Decisions’ Category

Artists orefer to make their own color mixes

I don’t consider myself a great artist but one that is an artist by avocation, in other words it is a hobby. I have always enjoyed dabbling in the arts as a relaxing pastime and an avenue of exploring my creative tendencies.

I have often been asked about what the difference is between artists’ colors and those used by the paint manufacturers that tint interior and exterior paint products. Are the pigments themselves different or the way they are combined unique? Do artists think about color combinations in much the same way an interior designer or house painter might? The answer is yes and no, there are similarities but also many differences. 

Artists’ colors are made for their end use just like architectural paint is. Watercolors are usually non opaque as the paper serves as an influence on the color. White pigment is not used by strict water colorists; they use the white of the paper to convey the appearance of white. Light colors are made with transparent washes rather than with the addition of white. Oil paint and acrylic paints are more like architectural pigments in the sense that they are opaque and they use white pigment to make lighter colors. However watercolors, acrylics and oils have a much broader range of choices for pigments based on their appearance and they rarely are a mix of pigments but are a single pigment composition. Artists prefer to make their own color mixes for their own end result and are not concerned with repeatability or a formula. 

One the biggest difference between architectural pigments and artists colors is the way colors are mixed. Artists often make neutrals by mixing complementary colors such as blue and orange to make a brown or red and green to make a gray. Black is used by artists but not as often to make grays or neutrals. Architectural paint manufacturers shun away from this practice of mixing complements as it is hard to control the end result and use black to neutralize colors. A slight mistint in a complementary mix shifts the color in hue rather than in chroma or intensity. Colors are not just a little grayer but can be too much of the two colorful ingredients, for example too red or too green. 

Some paint manufacturers that make their own colorants use a combination of pigments for their colors. When a colorant contains more than one pigment and is mixed with another colorant with more than one pigment then the end result is often much grayer or neutral as the combination of more than four colors commonly will result in a combination that may contain complements. These popular neutrals with unique undertones are also often difficult to match by companies using single color colorants, especially when the matching programs try to do it using a maximum of three colorants. 

Color can be enjoyed for its end result and not so much for its method of achieving that end result. The old adage that beauty is in the eye of the beholder is as true for a work of art as it is for a new wall color, how it was achieved may be different but what you see is what counts.

-Pat Verlodt

Flattering Tie Colors for Men

The colors you wear say a lot about you, they may indicate your mood, your style or your attitude. You probably have colors in your closet that are more festive, serious, playful or business like, but do you wear colors that make you look healthy? 

Most of us have had people say, “you look good in that color”, but do you know why? The human population is made of up of many varieties of skin color, all of them are considered warm. They are all versions of brown, from the yellow side to the red side, light and dark. Some complexions have more yellow undertones, some have cool undertones and these undertones are what we look for when identifying your personal color style. The secret is to find what colors make you look healthy. A healthy look is one that brings out the “pink” in you also know as the rosy glow on your cheeks.

If you have a cool undertone to your skin then often it is cool colors that complement your complexion and since more people have cool undertones than warm ones we see blue as one of the most popular colors for clothing. Red is also a good color for these cool undertones along with pink and purple. Light skinned people look better in the softer versions of these colors while darker skinned people should wear the darker versions.

Yellow undertones look better when paired with colors that are yellower so as to bring out the pink healthy color in their skin. Light skinned yellow based complexions should be paired with the paler yellows, golds, oranges and yellow greens while the darker ones look better in the richer, deeper versions.

Women have many choices for using color to complement their complexions, including hair color and makeup, but what does a guy do? Fortunately there are more colors available in men’s shirts and ties than ever before. Since suits rarely have enough color in them to make a statement the everyday tie takes center stage. I always encourage men to wear an interesting tie, not only to add a little color to their wardrobe but also as a conversation piece and networking tool. If they wear a tie that has personality or tells a story than it gives people a reason to open a dialogue with that person. A tie that incorporates your color personality and tasteful graphics that say something about your business, hobby or design style are an added benefit. Men’s casual clothing has also changed over the last decade with the introduction of colors not seen in the past, such as pinks, peaches and lavenders to add to the arsenal of flattering colors for men.

Don’t let the colors wear you, they should be selected with thoughtfulness and the goal of making you look your best and your healthiest.

Perk Up Your Beige Room!

If there is one top color used in decorating today it is beige. It has been seen all over interiors and exteriors for decades. It is a staple in most product color lineups from big to small. Designers have told consumers to pick a neutral for long term items such as carpets, sofas, tile and siding.

Before we explore the colors that give beige a bit of spice we need to define what makes beige. Beige is a light value of brown and brown is a tone from the orange family meaning that black and white have been added to neutralize it. Because orange is a combination of yellow and red it has a yellow side and a red side. Yellow base beiges are the most commonly found and can be described as tan, cream, ivory, buff and sand (257 Shortbread). The redder side of beige includes taupe, blush or rose beige (131 Summer Beige). When buying beige make sure you don’t compare one beige against another. It is easy to mistake a beige as being on the yellow side when comparing it against something red or blue then discover that it looks pink. To be safe you can select a more neutral beige that works with many more colors. (216 Earthling).

Add color to beige with accents on walls, pillows, accent rugs, or accessories to add excitement, drama, interest or to just liven up the space. Use a pop of color for a front door or shutters on beige exteriors.  The selected colors are just suggestions, they can be darker, lighter or more muted and still achieve a pleasing combination. Noted colors are from Color Is, the second number is for Colorizer colors.

1.  Aqua or turquoise (681 Pleasant Stream, 7503). This color family is enjoying a revival and is a perfect companion to its complementary or opposite color of beige.
2. Orange (1011 Semolina, 8590). This color is in the same family as the warm and neutral beiges and therefore it is ideal as an accent in a bland beige room.
3. Purple (1200 Felicia, 7503) is a happening color; it can be unexpected and dramatic for areas such as family rooms.
4. Terra Cotta (1061 April Love, 8629). This earthy color is a natural companion to the natural color of beige.
5. Don’t forget charcoal or black (529 Black Licorice, 8285). This neutral is a sophisticated addition to any beige environment.

 Anyone who lives in the north knows that the color white means that the snow has arrived and spring can’t come soon enough. When Hirshfield Paint Mfg sponsored a color naming contest in conjunction with the Home and Garden show in February they received nearly 1500 entries for color names that describe how the northerners feel about color and their surroundings.

Memory Evoking Color Names!

When Hirshfields, a member of The Color Guild asked me to judge the contest as well as be a speaker at the Home and Garden Show, my first thought was, “great, it will be a great source for color names!”

Little did I know how creative the entries would be or that their descriptions were as memory evoking. I name thousands of colors every year and envied the fact that they only had to name 1 or all 12 colors, and they had the time to tweak, dig and explore each color.

 I selected the 12 colors from the Color Is palette used by the Color Guild members for their chameleon like qualities or their mysterious undertones that allowed them to speak a different language to each observer. For example; a description for the same color ranged from “vibrant” to “shy”.

 As judge I used the criteria of a descriptive name with a logical connection to the mood described but also a name that would evoke memories for the majority of the population. The Color Is color “Lord Baltimore” is a dusty, muted mid range rose with a yellow cast and the winning name is “First Date” described as “Not out of hand yet noticeably attractive. Like blush on a cheek it’s the finishing touch to give the room dimension and depth. The hue gives off the impression of being easy to get along with”.

 Color Is “Skinny Dip” is a tan beige with equal parts red and yellow undertones and the winning name is “Doo Wah Ditty” described as “I give this hue a 10. It has an amazing beat and easy to dance to!”

 The name “Secret Diary” describes a warm neutral caught between beige and gray and Color Is color “Young Colt”, portrayed as “this is a color that has a mysterious feel to it-like an unopened diary rich with secrets”.

 “Skipping Rocks” depicts a yellow based beige with caramel highlights from Color Is “Tan Hide”. “I was fortunate to grow up and live on a lake in northeastern Minnesota. Skipping rocks was a common pastime that is a great memory for me!”

 As a beach love myself I connected to “Ahhh Sand” illustrated as “Laying on the warm sand at the beach it almost massages your body into a calmness”. It is Color Is “Sassafras” is a beige with a definite yellow undertone verging on green.

 Color Is “Greensleeves” is a neutralized green that could be described as a khaki color. The winning name “Honeyed Hazel” was described as “Like being swallowed up in a beautiful gaze from honeyed hazel eyes…”

 “Garden Bench” wins for an olive toned Color Is color “Bamboo Forest”. It is portrayed with “Wood achieves a contented hue when it spends it life outside. Nothing to prove, neither newly milled or silvery—just comfy”.

 The warm gray “Everlasting Sage” from the Color Is palette is a winner with “Storm Tossed”. “Minnesota is known for its tumultuous weather; not every color is meant to be calm. This color has the electric vibrancy of a Northern storm”.

 The dusty blue green color “Kathleen’s Garden” from The Color Is palette is renamed “Sidewalk Chalk”. Described as, “My daughter drew a beautiful picture of us at a cabin in sidewalk chalk. It is enjoyable to see drawings big and little done by precious hands”. What mother could not relate to those sentiments?

 “Northwood’s Nocturne” is the new name for Color Is “Beacon Fog”; a steely gray that is described as “Think full moonlight on snow or open water. This mysterious mixture of pastel shades captures the nuances of reflected light; it is watery, ever changing, enchanting and full of deep and secretive beauty!”

 Not all color names are romantic or memory evoking and the new name” Digital Gray” describes Color Is “Techile”, an extremely neutral gray. “Digital cameras can be ‘taught’ to record colors correctly if they are first exposed to a neutral gray (i.e. RGB values are equal) target in ambient light. I measured this color in Photoshop and it IS neutral gray”.  If only I had the time to do this to every color it would be easier for me to name colors.

 The last new name selected is “Different Drum” illustrated as “it doesn’t follow traditional neutral colors. It is a unique blend with its’ own beat. This color is like the vibrating membrane of a drum”. It depicts Color Is color “Cloudy Today”, a taupe like color.

 Let us all congratulate the winners and all the other entrants, your names and descriptions bowled me away and made it difficult to select just 12 of the new names. I know when I name colors after personal recollections and memories or even names of family and friends they are easier to remember and it gives me a sense of pride that I was able to touch so many people with a simple name.

-Pat Verlodt, Color Guild Colorist

Cape Cod Weathered Siding

Regional color preferences are based on several factors, foremost is the available and popular building materials of a region. It is true that most regional color preferences appear on the exterior of homes and commercial establishments whereas interior choices tend to be more personal.

Yes, the weather does have an influence on color, cool colors tending to show up in environments in the north and warm colors in the south. Is this because of the ambient temperature or a natural occurrence in a region? I think it is both, just as warm colors are dominant in the southern hemisphere because the sun is a major element but also the surroundings tend to be brown based or yellow toned hues. Dry grasses, sand and sun equal warm colors in the warmer climates whereas snow, sky, green trees and gray stone is obvious in the cooler climates.

Ethnic cultures also add to the mix in regions and often are common to an area such as the bright, warm colors of Mexico and Latin America that are strong influences in the southern part of the US. But also the use of materials, such as stucco is found in those southern countries and is are natural canvases for the warm colors of gold, peach, yellow, cream and orange. Putting cool colors on stucco doesn’t always work and can look somewhat out of place whereas peach looks terrible on cedar, the substrate itself strongly sways the choice of color.

Home styles often dictate the color of a structure, such as the dusty hues of arts and crafts, the historic colors on Georgians and Victorians as well as the rustic stains on cedars and shakes. Cape Cod gray is a natural color applied to cedar shakes due to the tradition of that color as a coastal favorite.

Florida Stucco Home

Roof colors are also regional with white as a common roof color in the warmer climate due to its concept of a light reflective color, terra cotta tile is more common in warm climates and grays appear more often in the cool climates. So as the roof color goes it influences the house color or vice versa.

White, a perennial favorite, is all over the map and can be found in all parts of the US as it is a perfect neutral along with beige and clay colors that are among the most popular colorsoverall.

The rules of regional colors are changing as more people move from one region to the next taking their favorites with them, so today you can find a mix of styles, colors and materials in one single neighborhood. Enjoy the diversity!

By Pat Verlodt

Every room in every home inside and out must have someone making color decisions that impact the look of the final setting. The choice of floor material, paint for walls and ceiling, fabrics, and furnishings will involve someone making several color choices. This task can seem daunting to many, horrifying to others and sometimes there is someone who does it with ease. But most of the time it is an overwhelming chore to the majority of the population. They look for guidance in shelter magazines, television shows, hundreds of books, newspapers and even advice from their friends and family and in many cases they still are at a loss as of what to do. Here are several avenues to follow to find that elusive road over the rainbow and into their homes.

• If the is an existing, unchangeable or desired color in a room or on the outside of a home use that as a starting place. Find a pattern or combination of colors in a piece of fabric, on a pillow or in the case of an exterior, a single stone or brick that contains that color. This pattern or combination of colors should appeal to you; search until you find something that really draws your interest. Use the other colors in the pattern for the rest of your color choices. Perhaps there is a neutral hidden in the pattern that can become the wall color, an accent color may exist in the group and that can be used in small amounts, maybe on a feature wall or on a front door.
• When starting from the ground up you can also accomplished this with a pattern or in some cases a favorite painting or even a pleasant place to visit. Using a painting or print you can identify the colors that caught your eye when you first saw it and use them to create the color combinations you are looking for. Take a photo of your preferred destination and select colors based on them.

What initially intrigued you about a particular painting or fascinated you in a pattern or combination of colors should be used to create the perfect environment for living and being comfortable in your color decisions.

Use a Painting for Inspiration

Using a painting as inspiration, in this case the pale off white could be the walls, the deep blue a carpet or piece of furniture, the lemon could be curtains. You don’t have to take the colors as they appear you can neutralize them by making them lighter or grayer and you can make them lighter to tone them down. The colors should be used in three proportions of visual interest, the largest for walls, the medium for carpet and the smallest for accents.

Suggested Color Is Colors: 0391 Sripsa, 0620 Star Studded, 0848 Yellow Tail

Red, Hot or Haute?

When thinking in colors in terms of their color temperature red is at the top of the scale for being a really warm hue. It is commonly referred to as the color of fire and flame and it sizzles in terms of sensuality. It is a romantic valentine or a sweet smelling rose on one level and a feared rash or sunburn on another level. There is nothing wishy washy about red, it makes a statement no matter how it is used. It says “stop” one minute and can indicate “come hither” the next.

This color has risen in the ranks of popular colors rather quickly in the last few years. There was a time when a paint dealer sold a quart of red a month and now they sell it by the gallon on a daily basis. Why is this? What happened to make this hue move to the top like the mercury in a thermometer? One factor in it move to the top is the preponderance DIY shows using it as a makeover color. The one thing a makeover show wants to provoke is a reaction from their participants and their audience, whether it is a good or bad response, it needs to be controversial to be memorable. It enjoys a love/hate reputation that one can’t deny is dramatic and thought provoking. Because red was highlighted often in these shows it gave confidence to consumers that they could achieve dramatic results in the easiest, least expensive method, a gallon of red paint.

Our connection to certain colors is based on our memories of past experiences or recollections of objects featured in that color. We may have had loved a color because it is the hue of a favorite flower, you may hate it because it was a color overused by a not so favorite neighbor. Looking for the most common pleasant memories is significant in the selection of colors for products and because of this packaging often uses red to boost the sales of certain products. Red can’t and won’t be ignored and it will remain in the limelight for years to come.

Red, HOT or Haute??