Standard Colour Harmonies

 STANDARD COLOUR HARMONIES

Related Colour Harmonies:

 In this colour scheme related colours are used. Colour schemes sharing common characteristics with one dominating colour are used in these schemes. Colours are closely situated to each other on the colour wheel and have one common colour. The related colour harmony schemes can be divided into

1. Monochromatic Colours 2. Analogous harmony

MONOCHROMATIC COLOURS

“Mono” means one and “chroma” means colour. Here only one colour is used in different values and intensities. One color is used in various degrees of light and dark valueof color. The idea of using one color with various values and intensities in a particular design is known as monochromatic color scheme, e.g., blue, cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, sky blue, sea blue, navy blue etc.

v  It involves one color and come in varying tints and shades as in figure

v  Monochromatic harmony evolve from a single hue

v  It is the variation of value and intensities of one

v  Eg: blue, light blue, dark blue

ANALOGOUS COLOURS

These are Neighboring colors of the color wheel are used in this color scheme. It is also known as similar color scheme. They are related because they contain a color in common. Due to this fact analogous color scheme is more interesting than monochromatic color scheme e.g., Red Orange and Orange, Orange and Yellow Orange etc.

It is a combination of three colors lying side by side in the color wheel

v  It uses appearing next to each other on wheel

v  They give pleasing and rhythmic effect

v  It can have upto4 hues

Contrasting Colour Harmonies:

Difference in colours is the basis of the contrasting colour schemes. Two colours which are extremely opposite in which one might be cool and the other warm, are chosen for the colour schemes. The colours give great variations from highly saturated values to very dull combinations. If two contrasting colours are placed side-by-side, one appears to advance while the other seems to recede, producing a vibrant effect. Contrasting colour harmonies are of six types.

1.     Complementary harmony

2.     Double complementary harmony

3.     Split complementary harmony

4.     Triad harmony

5.     Tetrad harmony

6.     Achromatic harmony

COMPLIMENTARY COLOURS

This are directly opposite on the color wheel. They ate completely unrelated in their normal intensity. They show strong contrast. This property enriches their quality. However strong and flashy complimentary colors appear they are vibrant, elegant and sharp for e.g., yellow and purple, red and green, blue and orange.

It consists of two colors which lie directly opposite each other in the color wheel

v  It is the opposite in the wheel

v  Unrelated colors are combined to give a pleasing effect, it is called as contrasting harmony

v  They lack harmony of hue and are more difficult to combine contrasting scheme

v  Example: yellow & violet, blue & orange, red & green etc.,

v  They are either attractive & satisfactory or loud & grayish

v  It is the combination of warm and cool colors

v  The warm should be used in smaller amount, example in accessories.

When colors directly opposite to each other in the colour wheel are used they form complementary harmony, few complementary colours are,

Ø  Yellow and violet

Ø  Red and green

Ø  Orange and Blue

Ø  Yellow orange and blue violet

Ø  Red orange and Blue green

Ø  Red violet and yellow green

DOUBLE COMPLEMENTARY COLOUR HARMONY

This results when two directly adjacent colours and their complements are used together. Examples are,

·       Yellow and yellow orange with purple and blue purple

·        Yellow orange and orange with blue and blue purple

·       Purple and red purple with yellow and yellow green

·        Red and red orange with green and blue green

In this there should be one outstanding hue for larger areas and it is dullest of all. The next may be little brighter but still dull, the third colour used in only a small amount must be half neutralized and the fourth one for the smallest accents may be in or near its brightest intensity.

This colour scheme is exciting, lively and sophisticated. Besides, it also provides more variety than a simple complementary colour scheme. Since this colour scheme provides a combination of both warm and cool colours, they can be successfully used in any room size, whether big or small. They are ideal for use in common rooms like living or a lounge. When sufficient care is applied in the amounts of various colour used, they make a stimulating and lively atmosphere.

SPLIT COMPLIMENTARY COLOURS

This is the combination of four colors placed equidistant on the color wheel. Their schematic arrangement needs some experience and practice for a successful combination. eg, blue violet red, yellow orange, green, or blue violet, red violet, yellow orange, yellow green.

v  It is a combination of a primary or secondary color together with two colorsimmediately next to its complement

v  Split complementary consists of one hue and two on each side of its complements

v  Many effects can be produced using this harmony

v  Example: yellow with red violet and blue violet

This harmony involves the use of three colours, combinations of a primary or an intermediate colour with the colours on either side of its complement form split complementary harmonies. Examples are,

·        Yellow with red purple and blue purple

·       Yellow orange with blue and purple

·       Green with red purple and red orange.

·        Blue green with red and orange.

 

TRIAD HARMONY

It is a combination of three colors which lie in equal distances from each other in the color wheel

a. Primary triad-blue, red, yellow

b. Secondary triad-Orange, green, Violet

c. Intermediate triad-yellow, green, yellow orange, red orange, red violet, blue violet, blue green

v  It is the combination of three colors located at the equidistant points of wheel

v  It is richest but more difficult to do

v  It can be of three primary colors-red, blue & yellow or three secondary colors orange, green, violet and any of the three intermediate colors.

v  Intermediate colors can be harmonized more easily, due to common hue present in any two colors

v  A triad harmony of primary hues as red, yellow and blue is more often seen in sports wear or children’s cloths.

Neutral Color Harmony

ACHROMATIC COLOURS are literally "Colors without Colors" it is also called as neutral colors. The color which comes under this color scheme are black, white and grey

WARM AND COOL COLOURS

The primary colors such as red and yellow is considered as warm color because of their effect upon us. This probably through our association with warm or hot sun rays and also the heat of fire and danger. Orange is also considered as warm color because it is obtained by mixing red and yellow colors.

Blue on the other side of color wheel is considered as cool color. Although green and purple are the mixture of cool and warm colors, they are generally classified as cool colors. When blue predominates, green and purple are more cool than when the colors are combined with red and yellow.

APPLICATION OF COLOUR ON FASHION FIGURE:

Ø  Color is one of the first things people notice about clothing. The use of color can create illusions of the figure size in the same way line does. Color should be selected on the basis of complexion-hair, skin, and eyes-as well as on figure size.

Ø  Colors should complement the complexion. A complexion that tends to be sallow (yellow tones) should wear colors that bring out the pink/red tones of the skin. A complexion that is florid (red/blue tones) should, avoid colors that emphasize the redness of the skin.

Ø  Matching of color to the complexion is a very personal matter. Old adages like "redheads should never wear pink" are not always valid. Careful selection of the value and intensity of a color, its placement and the complements used with the color can allow its use by almost everyone.

Ø  Colors are classified as warm-reds, yellows, and oranges-or cool-blues, and greens. Warm colors tend to create an illusion of greater size. Cool colors tend to create an illusion of reduced size.

Ø  The brightness or dullness and the lightness and darkness of colors also affect the illusion created. Dull and dark colors seem to recede and make the figure appear smaller. Bright and light colors have the opposite effect.

Ø  In addition to these general characteristics of colors, how they are used will also influence the illusion created. Contrasting colors in tops and bottoms create a horizontal line where they meet and tunic to shorten the figure. A single color outfit gives a vertical feeling and creates an illusion of height and slimness.