The Power of. insite 11/12. Text: Insite Correspondent Photos Courtesy: Insite Archives

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The Power of COLOUR Almost 2,500 years ago, Pythagoras tapped colour therapeutically and used his colour halls for healing in ancient China, Egypt and India.

1 The Power of COLOUR Almost 2,500 years ago, Pythagoras tapped colour therapeutically and used his colour halls for healing in ancient China, Egypt and India. Every colour has a unique energy and has a bearing on a person s physical and mental well-being. Text: Insite Correspondent Photos Courtesy: Insite Archives 82

Every colour has an energy all its own and by stimulating the pituitary and pineal glands can influence thoughts, behaviour and output.

2 material insight Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. Pablo Picasso colour Colours have the ability to invoke a variety of moods they can affect a person s mood, emotions, and, ultimately, health. Every colour has an energy all its own and by stimulating the pituitary and pineal glands can influence thoughts, behaviour and output. Research has also shown that changing the colours you live with can change your mood. Red stimulates and excites, pink calms, electric blue is dynamic, green symbolises health and golden yellow radiates happiness. There s a reason that restaurants use a lot of red, hospitals are done up in calming shades of blue and green, and banks like green. The Colour Wheel The colour wheel, based on red, yellow and blue, is the starting point of all colour design. In 1666, Sir Isaac Newton developed the first circular diagram of colours. After (violet and red) and lime green (green and yellow). Colours can also be complementary or harmonising. Complementary colours lie opposite each other on the wheel (red and green, blue and orange) and produce a visually dynamic environment. Harmonising colours lie next to each other on the wheel (yellow and green, blue and purple) and work well together. If too close in value, they can create a washed-out look. Colours can also be warm or cool. Those derived from the red/yellow/orange area of the wheel are warm and are called advancing colours, while those from the violet/ blue/ green area appear cool and are receding colours. The Attributes A colour has three attributes hue, saturation and lightness. Hue: A hues refers to names given to a colour or colour family, such as red, green, blue and yellow. It typically refers to pure colour without added white or black. Saturation: Saturation is the strength of a colour. Colours can be described as strong or pale. A colour becomes desaturated when displaced with white or grey. Lightness: The lightness (or luminance) of a colour is a measure of how bright a colour is, which is considered as adding pure white to a colour. that, a large number of scientists and artists analysed and developed various alternatives of the colour wheel. The numerous adaptations have led to debates galore over centuries, and today, any colour wheel that showcases a logically arranged sequence of pure hues hold merit. All colours are derived from the three primary colours red, blue and yellow. Mixing two primary colours results in a secondary colour orange (red and yellow), violet (blue and red) and green (yellow and blue). Tertiary colours result from mixing a primary colour with an adjacent secondary colour turquoise (blue and green), crimson 83

Colour and our perception of it also depends on texture, lighting and the décor of a room. But how does a colour behave with other colours and shapes?

It must be remembered that colour and the way we perceive it also depends on texture, lighting and the décor of a room.

3 Colour and our perception of it also depends on texture, lighting and the décor of a room. But how does a colour behave with other colours and shapes? Observing the effect colours have on each other helps us understand the relativity of colour. Values and saturations can also lead to differences in perception of colour. It must be remembered that colour and the way we perceive it also depends on texture, lighting and the décor of a room. Visualise a red painting it appears more jewel like against a black background and somewhat duller against a white one. When placed in front of blue, it shines brilliantly while against an orange background, it appears dull and lifeless. Creating Harmony What is harmony? In a visual experience, harmony can be defined as something that s pleasing to the eye. A harmonious arrangement be it on canvas, in a gallery or in the home has a sense of order and lends a feeling of balance. An arrangement that s not harmonious looks chaotic, disorderly or boring. A harmonious colour plan weds visual interest and a sense of order, striking the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity. Some basic formulas for achieving colour harmony include schemes based on analogous colours (yellowgreen, yellow and yellow-orange), complementary colours (blue and orange), and a design based on nature (yellow and green). Colour Therapy Every colour has a vibration that is associated with different qualities and traits. The most vibrant of the colour spectrum, red evokes energy, vitality and hunger. Works well in living areas, the kitchen and dining spaces. If it s too powerful a colour for you, use it on cushions, pillows, drapes, vases and crockery. 84 Orange, like red, warms a room, but in a friendlier manner. Associated with optimism, happiness and sociability, it works well even in tints and shades in living rooms and lounges. Yellow evokes the joy of sunshine and creates a cheerful décor. Evoking optimism and mental clarity, it also

Associated with nature and freshness, green is a very versatile colour. Use light greens in bedrooms, living rooms and bathrooms, and opt for mid-tones for kitchens and dining rooms.

4 material insight colour brightens up dead areas think dark foyers and basements. Blue leads to a feeling of tranquility and peace. Be it aqua or royal blue, this colour is ideal in bedrooms, bathrooms and home offices. Avoid in the dining area, since blue may suppress appetites. Associated with nature and freshness, green is a very versatile colour. Use light greens in bedrooms, living rooms and bathrooms, and opt for mid-tones for kitchens and dining rooms. Deep greens are ideal for entertainment areas. Violet appears tricky, which is why it remains under-used. However, the colour, associated with inspiration, creativity and beauty, works well in many rooms. Other options include purple, rose and deep pink. contrasting colours violet and lime green, turquoise and red, orange and fuchsia can be juxtaposed to create a striking look. Remember that colours that sit next to each other on the wheel are harmonious. However, too many strong colours may result in a mish-mash that looks eye-catching, but doesn t provide a restful feel. Using too many dark colours together can also make a room look smaller, while too many light colours together may give a washed-out effect. Think of a room as a dish if you re working with an emerald green chair, a touch of jade, a smidgen of orange and a dash of aqua could be the other ingredients to create the perfect recipe! Back to the Future Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, at the recent Design Dialogue at Decorex in Johannesburg revealed what she thought about home and interior colour trends for Black and white will remain a classic decorating tool. As far as other Pair bright pops of colour with neutrals like brown (goes well with blue, green, pink and yellow), gray (red, blue, green and purple), black (pair with lighter colours) and white (great with all colours). Bright colours may seem intimidating, but throwing together vivid splashes and pieces can create a dynamic new look. Vivid and 85

86 colours go, she said that people will be glad to know they won t go out of fashion quite as fast as in the past.

At the same time, there will be the consumer s expectation of practicality what colours have staying power and can be relied upon as a steadying influence in unsteady times, she added.

purple, pink nectar and white alyssum), Glamour (influenced by forthcoming other movies set in the Art Deco age; Rio red and Monaco blue, moon mist and jasper teal, silver and champagne beige), New

5 86 colours go, she said that people will be glad to know they won t go out of fashion quite as fast as in the past. In order to create the magic in the marketplace that ultimately leads to sales, colours for 2013 will need to coax and cajole, soothe or astonish, renew and replenish, she said in her guide. At the same time, there will be the consumer s expectation of practicality what colours have staying power and can be relied upon as a steadying influence in unsteady times, she added. Pantone has identified nine trends, which include Connoisseur (think history and elegance; the palette includes monochromatic violets and orchids, deep mahogany, champagne beige, silver, patrician purple, pink nectar and white alyssum), Glamour (influenced by forthcoming other movies set in the Art Deco age; Rio red and Monaco blue, moon mist and jasper teal, silver and champagne beige), New Old School (preppy with a twist; ribbon red, bright white, sodalite blue, ultramarine green and gargoyle and microchip greys), Rugged Individuals (Wild Wild West; polished leather, weathered wood, raw sienna, vintage indigo and stonewash blue), Extracts (tones of tangerine tango, the colour of the year for 2012; spiced coral, brandied melon, apple cinnamon, baked clay and green banana), Footprints (influenced by Africa; tangerine tango, peacock blue, pink flambé and Sudan brown), Sojourn (low on intensity, high on contrast; Syrah, foxglove and Baton Rouge fuchsia with green moss, cobblestone and shitake), Surface Treatments (textural palette that hints at the colours of water and sky; Maui blue, vapour blue, tornado, rock, birch and agave green), and Out of the Ordinary (Whackadoodle combinations; bonnie blue, pureed pumpkin, chocolate truffle, amber green, linden green, golden rod, bright violet and rosebud). Eiseman, the founder of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training, has authored eight books on colour and is responsible for the top ten seasonal colours in Women s Wear Daily, the bible of the fashion industry. She believes that we need to use more of one colour green, which she says is nature s neutral. i

Color. Paint. Prepared by Mrs. Leslie Parkertaken from Housing and Interior Design Picture from various sources and are not my own

Color. Paint. Prepared by Mrs. Leslie Parkertaken from Housing and Interior Design Picture from various sources and are not my own Color Paint Prepared by Mrs. Leslie Parkertaken from Housing and Interior Design Picture from various sources and are not my own Objectives Analyze the psychological impact and meaning of different colors