Frugal Scrapbooking

When planning a dressmaking pattern project, the first consideration should be color usage. Following is a basic summary of how the varying colors should be used to create different looks.

SCIENCE OF COLOR

Color comes from light reflected, from the visible spectrum of radiant energy produced by electromagnetic waves. White is the combined reflected light of all the colors of the spectrum; and black is the absence of all reflected light and color.

COLOR IN LIGHTING

The use of colors in lighting differs from pigment colors or paint – and it mixes quite differently. In lighting the primary colors are not red, blue, and yellow – but BLUE, GREEN AND YELLOW RED.

Blue, green, and yellow red light combined produce white light. Blue and green combined produces blue-green light; blue and yellow red produces violet; green and yellow red produces yellow.

Red filters absorb all colors except red, which passes through; green filter absorbs all but green; blue filter absorbs all but blue; and the yellow filter absorbs all but red and green which pass through the filter in combination as yellow.

Green and red filters combined, absorb and stop the passage of all colors. COLOR IN PAINTS

In pigments, the substance we use to paint or color our material, the PRIMARY COLORS are RED, YELLOW, and BLUE. These are the colors with which we can reproduce all the colors of spectrum. COLORS COMBINED

The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue.

The secondary colors are midway between each primary color: Mixing yellow with red we get orange. Mixing red with blue we get purple. Mixing blue with yellow we get green.

The tertiary colors are midway between each primary and secondary color:
Yellow and orange produce yellow-orange.
Orange and red produce red-orange.
Red and purple produce red-purple.
Purple and blue produce blue-violet.
Blue and green produce blue-green.
Green and yellow produce yellow-green.

The following pairs of colors are complements to each other:

Red and Green Yellow-Orange and Blue-Violet

Yellow and Purple Red-Purple and Yellow-Green

Blue and Orange Red-Orange and Blue-Green

COLOR SENSE

VALUE expresses the tones tints, or shades of any particular color or hue ranging from very light – almost white but with a slight tinge of color – to very dark or almost black.

INTENSITY represents the purity of a color – color which is not neutralized or softened by mixing with its complement.

DOMINANT HARMONY is self color harmony of different values of the same color.

COLD COLORS: blue violet, blue, blue green, and certain shades of green and purple. In general, receding, silent colors are inconspicuous, such as the less intense, low value shades of secondary and tertiary colors or hues; and, the more intense the hue, the louder or more overpowering it becomes.

Traditionally the colors of spring have been pink and yellow green; of summer – yellow, blue and green; of autumn – orange and brown; and winter – red and black.

In the proper hue, value, and intensity this is the most restful color without being too depressing.

YELLOW and gold colors indicate sunshine, gaiety, honor, loyalty.

DEVELOPING COLOR SENSE

Color should enhance the natural qualities inherent in the color of skin, hair, and eyes.

Light colors appear lighter when placed next to dark colors.

Any color seems brighter when placed next to its complement. In artificial light the same colors will be subdued. Candlelight will soften colors, incandescent light slightly brighten, and fluorescent will change the apparent hue.

BLUE LIGHTS will dull green and yellow, intensify blue, apparently change red to purple.

UNDER A RED LIGHT yellow will seem almost red and both green and blue will appear dull, while red will be very intense.

With these guidelines, those involved with dress designing can gain a good understanding of color and increase their designing ability. By matching colors to the style and use of your garments you can ensure you are always dressing for success.