Our world has never been monochrome, it contains a huge number of tones and color transitions. Experts say that a person can distinguish about two percent of the shades of what is available to the eyes of birds and some insects. Instead of an outdated and imperfect system of decomposing white light into seven basic color bands, artists, designers and makeup artists have developed their own table of warm and cold colors, because for painting and coloristics, the energy of perception, tone and shades have long become more important than the color itself.
Why do I need a color table
To be precise, the seven basic, fundamental colors in nature exist only in our perception for our vision. Coloristics really proved that for the human eye there are only three basic color components - yellow, red and blue, plus additional white. Any color or shade can be obtained from these three constituents, and the addition more or less hot than the background color can make it warm or cold.
In the colourist, there is a clear division of colors into three groups:
- Warm colors include yellow, red and orange;
- The cold group includes blue, blue, violet;
- Green can be equally attributed to both warm and cold at the same time, but, according to experts, green color is a relative of white, that is, completely balanced.
For your information! This division into warm and cold is rather arbitrary, it would be easier to use the concept of free energy. But the problem is that the shades of warm and cold content must be systematized and, most importantly, selected according to compatibility, based on human perception, and not on the basis of these devices.
A person does not have additional sensory organs with which one could taste the shade "to the tooth", there is only a receptor sensation of warmth and cold, which we are trying to use when classifying into cold and hot bases.
Using the cold and warm color chart
The practical application of gradation for cold and warm colors is based in part on human psychology based on several rules of mutual influence:
- The definition of "cold" or "warm" occurs only on the basis of one's own psychological experience and a person's stereotype. So, for example, white and blue are associated with ice and snow, so their combination can be considered cold;
- Contacting on one color field of two zones of pronounced warm and cold colors is a mutual equilibrium influence. For example, when blue and red are in contact, the first becomes softer, warmer, the second emotionally becomes more piercing and harsh;
- Mixing color bases with each other with the addition of white allows you to control the visual temperature of the color.
For your information! The table, using the last two points, tries to describe the mechanism of how you can make the perception of the shade warmer or colder, since the associative method does not give 100% result.
The same combination of white and blue in different people can cause completely different associations. For some it is cold blue ice and snow, for others it is a hot blue sky around a white sun. Therefore, we switched from psychology to the temperature of the color matrix.
How to change the color temperature
The easiest way to illustrate the effect of changing color temperature on the three most important colors for us, yellow, green and red.
For warm yellow, you can increase the temperature only by adding shades with a lower energy, for example, red, as in the table.
Warmer than basic yellows include, for example, honey yellow, dandelion, or sunflower.
For a transition to colder tones, add green or blue.
Red is energetically warmer than yellow, making it more difficult to control its temperature. The energy gradation of different shades of red is the most difficult to perceive.
To make the red colder, you have to shift its background towards purple with the addition of blue and gray.
Warming red is much easier with the addition of yellow.
Green color changes in temperature saturation much easier, since it can be obtained by mixing two components with different temperatures - yellow and blue. The procedure for giving the necessary energy is actually reduced to strengthening one of the color components.
Any of the three primary colors, red, yellow, and blue, can be warm, neutral, or cool. The names of all of them are unlikely to come in handy in life, unless you are an artist. But knowledge of the main ones will definitely help in choosing clothes and creating an image.
Cool colors and shades
Cool shades of colors always have a noticeable proportion of blue or gray in their composition. They suit girls of the “summer” and “winter” color types. In this case, "summer" girls are better off choosing smoky, pastel, muted shades, and "winter" - bright colors and shades of the cold spectrum.
The coldest color is turquoise. Regardless of the shade, it cannot be warm.
Cold shades of red - scarlet, alizarin, magenta; yellow - lemon; green - turquoise; blue - azure; purple - indigo; brown - taupe; gray - the color of wet asphalt; pink - ultra pink, ash pink.
Warm shades of color
Warm shades contain a yellow or red tone. For red, carrot, tangerine will be a warm shade; for yellow - honey, saffron; green - light green; blue - heavenly; purple - orchid, lilac; brown - sand; gray - quartz; pink - pomegranate, mauve, salmon.
Warm shades of colors are suitable for color types "" and "". The beauty of "spring" will be emphasized by light and soft shades, and for "autumn" girls the best choice will be bright, saturated shades.
The warmest color in the spectrum is orange. He is never cold.
It is best to combine colors and shades from the same temperature range. Mixing warm and cold shades in one look negates the advantages of each of them, introducing imbalance and slovenliness.
This summer, stylists propose to diversify monochrome bows, choosing clothes and accessories not tone-on-tone, but different shades of the same color. Such images look very stylish and elegant at the same time.
Contrast is another popular way of mixing shades. For this, one or two color spots of a contrasting color are added to the main shade. Use the color wheel to determine the brightest and purest contrast. Just draw a straight line from the selected shade through the center. The color that the line on the second side of the circle will fall into will be the opposite of the one selected.
The correct combination of shades of color is a real art, which, however, can be quite learned.
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The concepts of "warm" and "cold tones" are widely used in a wide variety of areas of life, especially in art. Almost all books related to painting, fashion or interior design mention color shades. But the authors mainly dwell on the fact that the execution of a work of art in one tone or another. Since the concepts of warm and cool colors are widespread, they require more detailed and careful consideration.
Arnheim's theory
There is one theory, which was created by R. Arnheim, explaining warm and cold tones as a phenomenon. According to this theory, any shade can be either warm or cold. If any color deviates in the direction of another, then it may become different from the heat load than it was at the beginning. For example, yellow or red with a touch of blue will look cool, while yellow and blue with a touch of red will look warm. From this we can conclude: an initially warm color with an admixture of a cold shade will also become cold. But this theory is not indisputable. After all, you need to take into account the entire system, where a particular color is located. Everyone can become warm or cold, depending on which admixture is added to it. In painting, hue is considered more important than color itself. After all, the original pure color always looks strict and impartial.
Saturation and rigor
Color "temperature" also depends on saturation. If a color is at optimal saturation, it will always look colder than a less saturated tone. Beauty, in which everything is observed with rigor, is characterized as cold. Architecture, where geometric proportionality and clarity are clearly expressed, as well as strict symmetry of form, is always called cold. And vice versa, if in any work of art errors, indistinctness, deviations from rigor are noticeable, then it is considered warmer, more spiritualized, close to everything earthly.
Purity of color
Considering warm and cold tones, the concept of color purity must also be taken into account. There are some tones that are traditionally considered mixed, such as yellow or orange. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to determine the main pure colors that can form the rest of the shades by mixing them. The predominance of red or blue is an indication of the temperature of the mixed shade. If the color approaches red, it is considered warm, and if it approaches blue, it is considered cold. We can say with confidence that in painting the concept of warmth and coldness of color does not carry any meaning. It is important to separate the shades into "colder" or "warmer".
Lightness and its effect on color temperature
First you need to determine what colors are black and white. It is believed that white denotes all colors at the same time, that is, it contains all existing shades. Balance and temperature neutrality are the main qualities of white. Interestingly, green is closest to white in its properties. Lack of color means black. It does not have its own color wave, where shades from light to dark are indicated.
Dark cold
Dark cold tones always remind a person of the winter cold. These include green, blue, purple, lilac. These colors and some of their shades look cool if they are not too saturated. They also have a slightly ash tint. The main thing in a cold color is the absence of a red tint, which is traditionally considered warm.
Light cold
Light cold tones include pink, blue, light green. They are not saturated and not too bright. When looking at such a tone, there is a feeling of coldness and the breath of winter. If there is more yellow in the color, then it will go into a warm range of shades, and if blue - into a cold one.
How do you determine which tone is right for a person?
To find out what color and its tone will suit a person's face, the main thing is to determine the shade of his skin. Someone will go for cold and contrasting winter colors, others - bright colors of spring, the glowing warmth of summer. For yellowish skin with a golden hue, it is better to choose a combination with cold colors may be unsuccessful, as the skin will acquire a sickly yellow appearance. If the complexion has a light grayish undertone and casts a little blue, then the person will always look like a winner by choosing cold tones. Against the background of warm shades, the skin will look faded and may even lose its healthy appearance. When determining the appropriate tones, a person must take into account the contrast. Some people do not like saturated and bright colors, since against their background, the personality can simply be lost. In this case, you need to dwell on gentle and calm colors. They will help to emphasize the type of face and skin, make a person more visible and brighter.
It's easy to look dignified and confident
They will be an excellent choice for people who are of the winter type. That is, for those who have fair skin, pronounced eyes and not faded hair. For example, people with darker hair will do well with cool shades of blue, red and green. They will highlight the merits and hide the flaws. The person will look memorable and will be able to stand out from the crowd.
Owners of light hair should focus on such cold tones as purple, blue, light red. They will become indispensable helpers if a person wants to look confident and beautiful. These colors set off blonde hair and enable a person to be bright and outstanding. People will turn their attention not to a person's clothes, but to his face, which is very important, for example, when applying for a job. Defining your tone that will help and emphasize your dignity is extremely important. To look great and always be on top is everyone's desire. The main thing is to be able to use colors and their shades correctly.
You need to know that there is no clear definition of whether a given color is cold or warm. This is a subjective assessment of the beholder. Therefore, the same color may be judged cold by some people and warm by others. Fortunately, in most cases, people see colors the same way, which allows us to negotiate their warmth.
Warm colors are the ones which contain some of the red... This is due to evolution, since for centuries, the red color of the fire has been associated with warmth. Warm colors evoke a feeling of closeness and optimism in a person. A pure red color can also cause aggression due to its association with a strong pathogen, which is a kind of blood.
In turn, in cold colors, blue prevails... These are, of course, associations with the coldness of water or ice.
Pure yellow is also generally viewed as warm, but a dash of blue is enough to make us think of it as cold.
Warm and cold tones in visage
We notice every day that each of us has a different color scheme. The color of the skin, eyes, hair is unique and each person creates an exclusive, one-of-a-kind mixture of these colors.
Our skin, hair, and eyes can also take on warm or cold colors. It would be nice to know your own color shade in order to choose the right colors for clothes, makeup, etc.
In harmoniously selected shades, our skin will look fresh and radiant, while poorly chosen ones will make our skin pale, stale and old.
The rule is that we look good in colors that are in harmony with our color type. That is, for example, if our skin, hair, eyes take on a cold shade, then we will look very good in cold shades. They will emphasize beauty and create harmony with it.
If a woman with a cold color type is dressed, for example, in orange clothes, she will look pale, we will emphasize her shadows under the eyes, her mouth will appear slightly purple.
And if a person with a warm color type is dressed in cold colors, for example, blue, his skin will give out more yellowness, it will seem unhealthy and stale.
Example
Look at the photo. We see on him a blonde with a cold color type, with well-chosen, very expressive makeup. Everything here is perfect: hair color, skin and eyes have a cool, almost bluish tint. The makeup echoes this color scheme:
Now let's change one element of her make-up: make her lip color warmer. They turned orange-brown. We immediately see that there is something we do not like in this photo, as if these lips are from another song.
Okay, let's take pity on the model and fix the rest of the makeup. Let's add some yellow shades that will warm up the eye makeup, as well as an apricot color on the cheeks:
It is better? Well, a little, but not quite yet. This is because the model is a cool type of beauty and her makeup is in warm colors.
This can be easily corrected with Photoshop, so let's add warm tones to her hair and skin color for the final effect.
This makeup is in harmony with the type of beauty of the model, all in warm colors.
How to determine your color type?
It's not easy, but if you do, you have a very simple shopping guide and a good chance of making a good choice every time.
To do this, you need to spend a minute of time, take a large mirror, multi-colored fabric (scarves, clothes, shawls, large sheets of paper, etc.). A friend's help is very desirable! It is also important to choose the right light. Daylight is best, but not in direct sunlight... Artificial light is not suitable because it is too yellow. The background is also important - it should be as neutral as possible, preferably gray. An intense background color will make it difficult to perceive colors correctly.
The technique is based on applying different colors to the face and checking which ones we will look better with and which ones will look worse. As a rule, two shades are enough for us, for example, orange and blue, but it would be good to also test whether we will be better in light or dark colors.
The test should be performed without makeup or tanning. If the hair is dyed, cover it with a neutral color, such as a gray shawl. When you choose the colors in which you look best, take a closer look at them: warm or cold tones prevail?
There are also people who have a mixed color type and they will feel good in all shades.
If you don't have the time and desire to use the above technique, there is an easier way: take a closer look at your closet. What color are your favorite clothes? What color is the one you bought but rather reluctantly wear? This will give a good hint about your skin tone.
Now that you already know what your color type is, you can choose the right cosmetics, hair dye, clothes and even the color of the room if you want to look good in it.
Remember that a warm color against a cold background (or vice versa) contrasts very much, so you can use this if you want to draw attention to yourself. You can, for example, choose an orange belt for a gray dress, if, of course, you are happy with your waist.
However, in makeup, the use of contrasting colors should be carefully considered and to be sure, look in the mirror several times. It is safer to highlight your benefits with more intense color or shine than contrasting paint.
Remember jewelry too! This is a very common mistake. Yellow gold, amber have very warm shades. A woman with a cold undertone in yellow accessories looks very pale. Choose rather silver or white gold.
You should be aware that our skin changes color when we tan. The vast majority of tanned people look good in warm colors. And here cold color types have an advantage, because usually look good in both cold and warm colors. Therefore, even if you have a cold type, you can wear a yellow dress on vacation.
See also a useful video tutorial on how to determine your color type:
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Earlier, long before the creation of this site, after completing express courses for makeup artists, I helped those wishing to determine the color type and choose makeup. Faced with the fact that a good half of the girls do not distinguish the warmth of shades, color nuances. Do not sense colors. This, of course, surprised me, so I decided to create a simple plate at my leisure in order to clarify a little the subtleties of the color palette.
Here is a general plate, I determined the colors in it rather conditionally. Above I placed a ruler from white to black for comparison.
In short - all shades containing nuances of yellow, golden shades are warm.
All shades containing blue (blue) and silver nuances are cold.
To determine the warmth of a hue, you need to compare it with white. It usually becomes visible. My pictures are on a white background, so you can see everything perfectly.
I especially want to note the fact that any color of the chromatic circle (in my case, a square) can be represented either in a cold or in a warm shade. For example, despite the fact that yellow is the first indicator of warmth, it can also be cold.
For example, yellow-lemon.
Likewise, the opposite situation - blue or blue, with a drop of yellow added to it, may seem warm until it turns into green.
In the diagram below, we can see an example of how green and red shades can be stretched into a ribbon from cold to warm.
Now about the main thing. How to determine which color type you belong to?
I thought for a long time whether another article about color types was needed, a million of them were written, but I realized that everything that is on the Internet is a hundred-year-old version of typing from some ancient Talmuds, so I wrote my vision.
Sit by the window in daylight (not at sunset or in bright sun, cloudy weather is ideal, daylight) with a mirror, a sheet of white paper and a cloth (paper) in four shades, which are indicated in the center of the following diagram - soft pink, fuchsia, peach and orange. Surely, these shades should be found at home.
First, we apply white paper (or fabric) to the face and compare carefully. How does leather look on paper background? Is it jaundiced and contrasts with the sheet or, on the contrary, is bluish and the paper emphasizes it even more? Take a close look at your hair, especially if it's not dyed. Do they have a golden sheen or ash based pigment? Look at your eyes. Do they have a warm or cold tone?
One of the colors should suit you. This means that the skin will appear fresher, nasolabial folds and wrinkles will be less noticeable, the look will become brighter and fresher. We compare all four options. You will definitely notice which of the four shades adorns you. Based on this, you can make the first conclusions about your type of appearance.
If it is still difficult to decide, use the large blocks in the diagram. Along the edges I made, in my opinion, the most "iconic" shades of the types. Check them out which group suits you best? (not pleasant or pleasing to the eye, but which one makes your appearance more advantageous)
For reference: pure white color does not go in spring, white and black in autumn, warm yellow and orange usually do not go to winter, deep warm shades do not go to summer - brown, brick, green, orange.
Our appearance is very diverse, there are a lot of color types, it is impossible to drive them into the framework of four types, there are much more of them, there are many transitional options. Nevertheless, the main thing can be determined, and further deeper into the topic.
It is worth noting that the color type in any case with the help of the modern beauty industry can be changed, especially in depth (from winter to summer and vice versa, or from autumn to spring and vice versa). Girls of transitional types can also jump from type to type, changing the warmth of their appearance. Also, all types are divided by contrast, each contrast has its own color nuances. I will definitely talk about this in the future.
Hope it was helpful.
The correct selection of colors is a guarantee that clothes or cosmetics will always adorn you. "Alien" colors can add age, make the skin look unhealthy, ugly shade hair and eyes. While “your” palette will highlight the skin, accentuate the natural glow and pigment of the lips. To learn how to choose colors for yourself, you need to understand how they differ.
All shades that surround us are derived from three basic ones: red, blue and yellow. Blending them gives us second order colors - orange, green and purple. And already with their help, you can get any tone from the spectrum.
How to identify cold and warm colors?
The most primitive classifications suggest considering the entire yellow-orange-red part of the color wheel as warm shades, and blue-green-violet as cold shades. This is not entirely true, since such pure colors are usually found only in pictures. In practice, everything is different: clothing designers, for example, tend to use interesting, complex, mixed options. The difference between cool and warm shades of colors is whether each subtone is cool blue or warm orange.
It is important to understand and remember that any color - blue, purple or red - can be warmer or colder, and you can select the shade individually in each case.
What are these warm colors?
- In yellow: mustard, sea buckthorn, curry, saffron, amber, sulfur yellow, sunflower, honey and egg yolk.
- In red: brick, coral, copper red, fiery red, tomato, poppy red, cinnabar, pomegranate and the like.
- In green: olive, khaki, pear, linden, myrtle, green peas, forest greens and others.
- In blue: sky blue, petrol, moray, cornflower blue, turquoise, protective blue, sea wave and so on.
What are these cold colors?
To determine which, warm or cold, colors in clothes suit you, you need to understand which of the 4 color types you belong to:
Spring... Warm . People of this type have fair, translucent, bronze-gold or ivory skin. The eyes are usually blue, green, or hazel. Hair can range from light to brown, and can be straw, honey-copper, or golden brown curls.
Autumn... The second warm color type. Skin - from transparent white to slightly golden. The eyes can be both light blue and the entire golden brown range (amber, hazel, red, and so on). Hair for "autumn" also includes warm shades: copper-gold, red and red-brown and the like.
Winter... This cool color is characterized by flawless porcelain skin, which almost always has a bluish undertone. Eyes - all shades of ice blue, gray or hazel (there are, however, also green). The hair is always contrasting, dark (from thick chestnut to bluish black).
Summer... Representatives of this color type have milky, pale or olive skin, but always with a cold undertone. Eyes "cool": gray, gray-blue, light green. Hair can be light blond, also with an ashy tint. But even if the "summer" curls are dark, then there are still no "redheads" in them - like "winters", they will always have a silvery-gray base.