More Color- Harmonies

COLOR HARMONY:

Color Harmony is the evaluation of two or more colors -- the “harmonious” colors, which are composed of closely similar chroma, or different colors with the same shades. They are combinations of colors that do not have a sharp contrast. Color Harmony is very individual.

Harmony is balance. To experiment with the subjectiveness of Color Harmony, try the Itten test.

If we gaze for some time at a green square and then close our eyes, we see, as an afterimage, a red square.”? Johannes Itten, The Art of Color               

   COLOR HARMONY FAMILIES

ANALOGOUS HARMONY:

The two colors on either side of the main color are analogous to the main color.

These are colors next to each other on the Color Wheel. For example, green is next to blue-green, which is next to blue, which is next to blue-violet.

If blue is the main color, it is mixed with another color to make the two colors.

This is a blending harmony.

MONOCHROMATIC HARMONY:

This means one color that is used in different shades and tints.

They are the same color from dark to light.

A good example of how this harmony works is a shorter person who wants to appear taller can wear monochromatic colors from head to toe and not have different colors breaking up the look.

COMPLEMENTARY HARMONIES

These are opposite on the color wheel.

The harmony colors are necessary to match hair, eyes and skin. They are especially useful in doing color analysis on clients.

Let us not forget NEUTRALS, which you would wear with your main color and the complements of it. Find one like your client’s hair color and skin tone.

COLOR FLOW

If you enhance your total image with the right colors, you will bring out your individual uniqueness, radiance, and confidence. Your total look will make you feel good about yourself and you will feel more positive about reaching out to others and projecting your successful image.

Color is a powerful language. Every human being has a psychological response to color. Men and women respond differently to color. For example, charcoal gray and navy blue will send an “unspoken” message that says, reliable, credible, “You can count on me.” If you choose to lighten colors, you can become invisible and end up in the background.

There is no question that people look better in some colors than in others. However, it is highly individual. Research shows that people wearing light colors seem friendlier and more likeable than those in darker attire do. If you wear clothing that makes you look somber, your popularity and credibility may suffer and cause business and social problems. If you are a guest on television, you need to wear more color in your makeup and in your clothing.

Joyce Knudsen, Ph.D. www.drjoyceknudsen.com [email protected]