More Color Tools -- Part Two
By terryswaler
I did write about this topic a couple of days ago (and many other times in my blog). But the subject continues to interest me -- and I'm embarrassed to say that I have never seen the two things I'm writing about today. It's embarrassing that someone so interested in color could have missed them! <grin>
However, I have overcome my chagrin in the spirit of passing on really interesting information -- the first is an amazing tutorial on color
If you are at all interested in color, color theory, choosing colors for projects or for your home -- take the time to go through the exercises. Very visual, fun and interactive.
AND --
I haven't seen this before either (but if you have forgive me!) -- of all places -- BEHR has the AMAZING ColorSmart tool that lets you pick the color you're interested in -- and gives you an array of colors that complement or enhance your primary (or secondary) color (results display in a paint chip).
And if that weren't fun in and of itself - then you get to preview how those color combos might work in or on your house. (it's not like the Benjamin Moore color picker where you upload your own pics of rooms and that you pay money for -- DIY Maven writes about it here -- instead they are stock pictures of interiors and exteriors -- but there are enough options that you can typically find one that will give you an idea of how your room or house will look painted.)
It's easier in some ways than the BM pay-for-it version (which I have purchased and used) and -- big bonus -- it's FREE. You can register and save your workbooks online with just an email.
Very. Very. Very Cool.
I have to go and decide what I'm painting my kitchen now...
Tagged:
paint decorating home color color theory color wheel behr choosing colors colors
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I live in Upstate NY (Rochester) and live in a 1930's bungalow that I'm restoring. ...
terryswaler
amorcitos
terryswaler
Wow. Thanks for that clarification -- being a technologically challenged person -- I had NO idea what RGB was for (although I have to say I KNEW about it -- just not it's purpose for existence.)
Choosing colors is an art unto itself. My quest has been in understanding the relationships colors have to each other and the impact they have on me and my environment. So in that case, even though I'm not mixing colors together -- I am mixing them together in PROXIMITY -- so I do see what you are saying and understand the relevance.
Oh boy! MORE things to think about! (and I mean that!)
Thanks! Very cool.
kidgenius
I'd make an arguement that a lot of the color wheels that have been shown here lately are wrong. And here's why:
They show the primary colors as red, blue, and yellow.
Now, I know what you probably all will say is, "pfft...some genius, everyone knows those are the primary colors." to which I would reply you are correct....IF you are mixing colors.
The RYB color wheels are great when you want to know what colors mix together to make other colors. But how often do we really mix colors in decorating? We don't. We buy colors and try to get stuff to match. A Red-Green-Blue color wheel on the other hand actually is interested in the interaction of light. It deals with how we SEE color. And when we decorate, we are more interested in how stuff LOOKS next to one another, instead of how stuff mixes to make another color. So, for decorating purposes, I would argue that an RGB color wheel is a lot better for determing which colors look best with one another, and which colors act as a true complement if you want to add a little contrast.
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