Color Theory: Understanding the Basics for Color Analysis

By Elaine Stoltz, AICI CIM [email protected] Stoltz Image Institute, Texas USA www.stoltzimage.com

Color: A physical or visual sensation experienced when light rays of particular lengths stimulate the retina of the eyes. Color embodies the dimensions of hue, value, and intensity.

Why is Color Important? Color is an element of art.

Elements of Art § Line § Shape § Form § Space § Texture § Color § Value

Why is color important to the image industry?

______

The Stoltz Image Color Philosophy “Persons are often misled in regard to their choice of dress by attending to the ______, rather than selecting such colors as may increase ______.” - William Shenstone, English Poet, 1714-1763

Properties of Color

§ Hue § Temperature § Value § Value Contrast § Intensity

Hue:

Primary Colors:

Secondary Colors

Expanded Color Wheel:

Neutral Colors Achromatic Colors:

Muted Chromatic Colors:

Quiz!

1st Color ______

2nd Color ______

3rd Color ______

4th Color ______

5th Color ______

6th Color ______

Quiz!

1st Color ______

2nd Color ______

3rd Color ______

Quiz!

1st Color ______

2nd Color ______

3rd Color ______

Temperature § Temperature is the warmth or coolness of a color. § A color containing ______is considered to be a warm color. § A color containing ______is considered to be a cool color. § ______and ______are considered neutral temperature colors, neither warm nor cool.

Psychological temperature Warm: Relates to our experience with the ______and the ______, the ______, and the ______. These experiences suggest that ______and ______are warm hues.

Warm Colors:

§ ______§ ______§ ______§ ______§ ______

Psychological temperature Cool: Relates to our experience with the______, the ______, and the ______. These experiences suggest that ______and ______are cool hues.

Cool Colors: § ______§ ______§ ______§ ______§ ______

Neutral Temperature Colors: § ______§ ______

Temperature of Neutral Colors

Achromatic: ______Cool

Muted Chromatic: ______Warm

Temperature Chart

Quiz!

Picture 1 ______Picture 3 ______

Picture 2 ______Picture 4 ______

Value § The relative degree of ______or ______of a hue. § When a colored picture is turned into a ______and ______picture the colors represent varying ______.

Grey Scale

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Quiz!

Picture 1 ______Picture 3 ______

Picture 2 ______Picture 4 ______

Value Contrast § Comparative contrast of the values of two ______. § The distance between the values of the two colors on a ______.

Contrast Levels § High ______and ______§ Medium High ______and ______, ______and Black § Medium ______and White, Black and ______§ Medium Low Black and ______, ______§ Low Black and ______, White and ______

Quiz!

Picture 1 ______Picture 3 ______

Picture 2 ______Picture 4 ______

Intensity § The relative degree of ______or ______of a hue. § Other words for intensity are ______, the ______, the degree of ______, ______, or ______. § Intensity can be altered by the texture of a ______. § Textures that reflect light are more______than a matte fabric. Example: A______would be brighter than a ______.

Quiz!

Picture 1 ______Picture 3 ______

Picture 2 ______Picture 4 ______

Resonance § Resonance is the visual impression of a hue as it moves ______. § Resonance is a result of what was used to alter the ______pigment.

5 Resonances: § Tinted § Washed § Shaded § Toasted § Muted

§ Tinted: A hue that is mixed with ______to lighten a color. It appears opaque and milky. § Washed: A pure hue that is mixed with ______to lighten a color. It appears translucent and lightweight. The original pure pigment is still readily apparent. § Shaded: A pure hue that is mixed with ______to darken a color. ______is a cool color and will make all warm pigments appear cooler and cool pigments cooler still. § Toasted: A pure hue that is mixed with ______in order to lighten or darken a color. ______is a warm color. Toasting cool colors with ______will warm them. § Muted: Can lighten or darken a pigment by adding the pigment’s ______. When ______are side by side, they intensify each other. When they are mixed with each other, they mute or de-intensify each other. ______Colors: Two hues that lie ______one another on the color wheel.

Harmony § Combined use of color patterns to achieve enough variety to avoid ______, but not so much variety to create ______.

6 Harmonies: § Monochromatic § Triadic § Complementary § Tetrad § Analogous § Neutral

§ Monochromatic: A harmony where the same hue is presented in ______from light to dark. The hue can come from the color wheel or as ______or ______from the neutral chart. § Complementary: A harmony of two hues that are ______each other on the color wheel. § Analogous: A harmony of ____, ______, or ______hues that are ______on the color wheel. They may be used in a variety of values, intensities, and temperature. § Triadic: A harmony of ______hues that are ______from each other on the color wheel. § Tetrad: A harmony of ______hues that are ______from each other on the color wheel. § Neutral: A harmony where ______neutral colors are combined.

Human Coloring

“Persons are often misled in regard to their choice of dress by attending to the ______, rather than selecting such colors as may increase their ______.” English Poet, 1714-1763

We See Color First: When you walk into a store and look at the visual displays the mannequins are wearing bright colors and the outfit is perfectly accessorized. We look at the work of art and say "That is beautiful. I want the entire outfit." But your head is not on the mannequin. It’s a great outfit and beautiful work of art, but not great for you.

§ Your clothes are an extension of you.

You are a walking work of art each day. Each morning you select an outfit in your closet and walk out the door. Whoever sees you that day will observe your work of art. Some days you might do a good job and other days you might not. It’s important for you to talk first, not your clothes. One of the biggest mistakes women make is that they select clothing that is too bright and / or too much contrast for their own natural coloring.

§ Your clothing colors should be in harmony with your body colors.

When you leave our house each day, you cannot leave our head at home. Your eye color, hair color, skin color and red color are always going to be a part of your complete outfit. The clothing that you wear on the upper half of you lay right next to your face reflects that color onto your face. It is most important that those colors flatter your natural coloring and enhance your appearance.

Temperature, Value, Value Contrast and Intensity of your natural coloring will play a role in deciding which colors to wear. § Temperature: The ______temperature of your outfit should be similar to your ______body coloring temperature. § Value: The ______value of the outfit must be similar to your ______value. § Value Contrast: The ______value contrast of your outfit must be similar to your ______value contrast. § Intensity: The ______intensity of your outfit must be similar to your ______intensity.

Therefore it is imperative for you to learn what your ______color characteristics are.

You must start by studying each body color separately. You must learn the hue, temperature, value, value contrast, and intensity of each body color: eyes, skin, hair and red tones.

Customized vs. Category

What is Custom Color Analysis?

Benefits of Category Systems: § Familiarity § Quick consults § Minimal costs § Fast delivery of color palette § Consultants learn system quickly § Clients pay a low consult fee

Limiting Factors of Category Color Analysis: § Not a perfect color palette; contains good and bad colors § Client does not fit into a category § Mistaken categorization § Limited selection of colors § Less credibility for the consultant

Benefits of Custom Color Analysis: § Meeting the customization demands § No pre-planned groups of colors § Only great colors are included in the palette § Identifies exact body colors – eyes, hair, skin, reds § Not every color on the color wheel is included § No misdiagnosis § Client views consultant as a color expert § Analysis is completed in about an hour § Consultant is paid more for expertise

Color Swatch Material § Paper vs. Fabric § Plastic-Covered Fabric vs. Fabric

Customized Color Palette § Each palette is unique and customized for the client. § The palette contains the exact body colors. § The palette exudes an overall depth value. § The reds exhibit the overall temperature. § The palette demonstrates the range of intensities. § The palette contains only great colors.

Color Analysis Choices § Which set of color fabric swatches should you use? § Do you carry a fabric inventory or do you purchase fabric swatches from a company? § How many colors do you test on the client? § How many color swatches do you give to the client?

Elaine Stoltz, AICI CIM ------Elaine Stoltz, AICI CIM, is the founder and President of Stoltz Image Consulting, Inc., a personal image consulting firm located in Fort Worth, Texas. She is a Certified Image Master, one of ten in the world, calling herself “an architect of the body” and specializing in nonverbal communication of the individual. Elaine has a B.S. in Education - Mathematics from University of Missouri – Columbia. After working in the corporate world as a computer programmer analyst, she decided to change careers in 1987. Aptitude testing results from Johnson-O’Connor Inc. informed Ms. Stoltz that, in addition to her teaching skills, she possessed high visual acuity, three-dimensional perception, and color discrimination. She retrained for her new career by taking fashion courses at Texas Christian University and an image training course with Doris Pooser, an image consultant in California. Ms. Stoltz started her image consulting business is 1989, specializing in positive first impression. She received her CIP (Professional Certification) from AICI in 1994 and her CIM (Masters Certification) in 2004. For over 25 years Elaine has helped thousands of individual clients find their own unique style, enhance their self-confidence, and gain credibility. Her individual services include Custom Color Analysis, Body Style Analysis, Closet Audits, Wardrobe Styling, Personal Shopping, and Cosmetic Makeovers. Elaine also carries a private label line of cosmetics and skin care for her clients and recently launched an online store, making Stoltz Image Cosmetics available for purchase worldwide. Elaine is also a highly sought after speaker and trainer for many national corporations and has been quoted and featured in radio, TV, magazines, and newspapers. Her corporate clients include Lockheed Martin, RadioShack, BNSF, DBM, TCU, Merrill Lynch, Carter & Burgess, and Johnson & Johnson. She co-authored the book Image Power in 2009. For 12 years, Elaine worked with the Fashion Merchandising Department of Texas Christian University as a guest lecturer each semester on the importance of image and as a TCU Fashion Intern Sponsor teaching the business of image consulting to interns each year. She is currently on the Advisory Board for the Design, Merchandising, and Textiles Department of TCU. As a seasoned consultant, numerous individuals entering the image professional seek Elaine’s mentorship as they develop their own businesses. In 2005 Elaine opened her image training school, the Stoltz Image Institute. Elaine has created image courses that are well planned and centered on increasing her students’ knowledge of image related concepts. Her image concepts are both easy to understand and put into practice. Elaine’s teaching techniques help students understand and master the business of image consulting in a relaxed, lively, and interactive learning environment. Elaine Stoltz has been instrumental in advancing the field of image consulting by serving as International President, VP of Certification, and International Treasurer of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), and, in 2002, she received the association’s Award of Excellence. Elaine Stoltz, AICI CIM [email protected] www.stoltzimage.com 817-924-8300 Fort Worth, TX 76109 Stoltz Image Institute, Copyright 2015 10