Undertones
Undertones: Interior Designers sometimes say, "This green has blue undertones; that gray is yellowish." What difference does it make? It makes a big difference. The term undertones refers to the subtle, underlying color of a color. How can a color have another color? Few colors, especially those in interiors, are pure. Instead, they are mixtures of several colors, and the undertones reflect that mix. Put another way, the undertones of a mixed colors the minor color that influences the main color. Pure red has no undertones because it is a primary color. But terra-cotta, a version of red-orange, has yellow undertones. Where does the yellow come from? Red-orange is half orange and orange is half yellow.
Discerning undertones is a challenge for the novice, but practice will sharpen your eye and build your confidence. The key is to really look at colors and analyze their content. Think of it as a game: Can you see the red tones in a blue-violet fabric? (Remember violet is made up of red and blue.) That hint of red might cue you to consider adding other colors with red undertones, such as peach (made up of red and yellow) or melon (a lighter value of red-orange). Both colors are harmonious with blue-violet. Undertones are especially important when considering wall color. If you love yellow but are reluctant to use it on your walls, look for a near white with yellow undertones, a color you might call French vanilla. If you're using a patterned fabric with a neutral background, study it's undertones and choose a wall color with a similar color bias. Neutrals can have undertones too, and it is often easier to spot the undertones in a neutral than in a more vivid color. Comparing neutrals side by side helps; the green undertones in a greenish gray are obvious next to a true gray, which has no color. If you'r still having trouble identifying undertones of colors, simplify the exercise and ask, "Are the undertones warm or cool?" That information alone can help you choose compatible hues. Apple green, for instance, has warm undertones; aqua blue has cool undertones. In reality, identifying undertones is more about avoiding disaster than anything else. Undertones that clash - a bluish white next to a yellowish white, for example - may look unpleasant. Even slight differences in the undertones of wall and trim colors can be noticeable. |
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