Natural Colour Palettes

Inspiration surrounds us in nature. People respond instinctively to the array of colours we see outside. For example, fall leaves have many popular shades used in homes: greys, light browns and tans, soft greens with bluish shades, muted reds, and bolder ones with violet as well. The proportions in nature also give clues about design, with bold colours adding highlights, different shapes for variety, small areas of black and white for contrast, and a unique item (speckled leaf) for a focal point. When choosing a paint colour, consider where it is found in nature, the proportions of it you normally see, and other colours typically found with it.

Analogous Vs. Complementary Color Scheme

Analogous Colors

 

Analogous colors are near each other on the color wheel. In the photos above the blues, blue/greens and greens used are analogous colors. They produce a harmonious, rich, monochromatic look.

Below, the same room is shown in complementary colors (red and green), which are opposites on the color wheel. They look bright when placed next to each other, and may produce a more lively look.

To influence the feel of a room, keep in mind the affect different color schemes will have.

Complementary Colors

Doggone It!

This t-shirt came with a beautiful embroidered dog image. However, even though the large dog in the before picture has the detail, the lettering and smaller dog compete with it because they are in colour. So I painted the large dog to make it stand out. This sharpened the focal point, and the embroidery remains to give texture and detail. Notice how the camera now identifies the white from the gray better in the second photograph, shot in the same location.

Before

After
 (My apologies to papillon breeders for not defining the 'butterfly' markings distinctly)