How much we take for granted

The experience of colour, and the effect it can have, as either a pleasureable experience, or an irritating experience, seems to us to be a modern idea. That dentists and hospitals tend to prefer a pale green wash to their walls doesnt mean it was on special offer at Wickes - no, its a science that has been explored for a very long time. Isaac Newton is acclaimed to have divided up the spectrum in 1666 and ever since scientists have been fascinated with the way light receptors, (eyes to you and I), send signals to the brain of pleasure and irritation-calmness and aggravation. Strangely enough they found some scientific links between the ancient connections between for instance, Mars Red and War. Its all to do with wavelengths and the brain's reaction to the stimulus of the information it receives.

Ok I know this is a floristry blog!! However, floral art gives us perfect examples of nature's own colour code. What am I on about you may well ask. Under ultra-violet light petals show distinctive tracks of colour leading the bee or other winged creature, deep into its middle as a signal, drawing it inside for pollen to get the chance to adhere to its fluttering membranes and in turn, be dusted into the next as it follows another flower's secret signpost.

All art studies take colour very seriously, colour harmonies, colour schemes and colour combinations. If you have actually painted the colour wheel in the previous workshop or have one from an interior home furnishing store somewhere, then get it and the following will be clearer.

Looking at a section from outer full spectrum strength ie BLUE down the layers we see BLUE plus white, BLUE plus grey and BLUE plus black - or PASTEL BLUE - AIRFORCE BLUE - NAVY BLUE. Look around your home and you will see many instances where you have chosed a MONOCHROMATIC (tints,shades and tones all relating to one colour)colour scheme, bedlinen, cushions, curtains etc. Your eyes know that this 'works'. So thats what MONOCHROMATIC means, there are others.

COMPLIMENTARY - opposites on the wheel, ie RED/GREEN ORANGE/BLUE etc
these are the exact opposite 'light wise' and it applies down through the segment ie PEACH and DUCK EGG BLUE instead of full strength orange/blue. Ringing any bells here??? Anyone looking at their lounge colours and seeing anything complimentary about their room? Anyway it works too, the brain likes that.

ANALOGOUS - up to 4 colours next to each other, so ie BLUE BLUEVIOLET
VIOLET and REDVIOLET, they work too, from the edge to the middle of those sections any combination is harmonious.

SPLIT COMPLIMENTARY - pick 2 colour directly opposite and then move one segment right and one left so we are now looking at for instance YELLOW BLUEVIOLET and REDVIOLET. Yet another colour harmony for you to consider - there are more but for now thats enough to provoke enough thought about what tie you choose next!!

A website on here explains it all with colour and I advise anyone who's interest has been aroused, to take a quick look.

Im just too good to you lot.

http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/color3.html#opponent

ejaytrading logo
I used a mango and lilac theme for my e-bay shop logo.
Who has any idea what colour harmony that is?