Ho, Ho, No. (color, demystified)
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 4:33PM Read Part One of the Color, Demystified series here.
Read Part Two of the Color, Demystified series here.
I love reading your comments and questions on the topic of color via this blog, on Facebook, Twitter, and on my Pinterest pages. Keep 'em coming!
So far, we've talked about two complementary color pairings: blue and orange, and yellow and purple. Today, I want to talk about red and green.
Not this Red Green, of obnoxious PBS fame.
Did the Red Green Show air in your area? Boy Aaron likes to say, "If she can't find ya handsome, she should at least find ya handy," -- a nod to Red Green, who believed everything could be fixed with duct tape.
To many of you, a red and green color palette means one thing:
Source: potterybarn.com via Mallory on Pinterest
And while it's true that Christmas has long been associated with red and green, I'd like to talk about using these two colors together in a non-holiday context.
Let's return to the color wheel. I like this one because it shows some of the adjectives and feelings that are commonly associated (in Western cultures) with a given hue.
Red is the highest energy color in the spectrum. Red quickens your pulse. Red is energizing and motivating. It produces strong positive and negative emotions, because it's the one most deeply ingrained in the human psyche. It's also no accident that some major retailers use red in their stores -- it makes customers more likely to impulse buy.
Red can signify danger and bloodshed. But it's also the color our brains associate with life-sustaining ripe fruit.
People whose favorite color is red tend to be natural-born leaders. They are assertive, dramatic, exciting, and spontaneous.
Reds with orange and brown undertones are warm and sturdy, and produce feelings of loyalty.
Reds with pink undertones are more youthful and playful than true reds.
Deep reds, like burgundy, conjure feelings of luxury, maturity, and expense.
We'll talk more about lighter pinks another time, but keep in mind that pink is considered a light shade of the red family.
Green is not just red's opposite on the color wheel, it also has the opposite effect on the central nervous system.
Source: budgetbridesguide.com via Colette on Pinterest
Green is scientifically proven to reduce the production of stress hormones, and causes people to subconsciously breathe more slowly and deeply, which in turn oxygenates your blood and tissues more efficiently.
I've been saying this for years, but it bears repeating: green is a neutral color.
Green goes with everything.
All greens go together.
Van Gogh agrees with me, OK? Don't try to argue.
Another photographic example of my mantra, taken badly by me at the Chicago Art Institute. Green goes with everything. All greens go together.
You don't have to believe me, or Van Gogh, for that matter.
Mother Nature obviously thinks green is a neutral, because she pairs it with everything. Red flowers can have green stems and leaves without people thinking of Christmas or how garish the color combination is.
Notice, though, that in the case of mother nature, the greens are the backdrop, the place for your eyes to rest after taking in the vibrant reds. Red will always come forward in a palette.
So what does this mean to you, your knitting, and your home?
1. Wear green.
All of you. Now. Get some.
Especially if you have red hair.
I suppose you probably already know that you look good in green. But if you didn't, perhaps you should consider taking my word for it. Just this once.
Source: google.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
Source: christina-hendricks.celebscentral.net via Christy on Pinterest
And yes, this includes hair that is not naturally red. If you color your hair, you have to adjust your wardrobe and makeup palette accordingly.
There is a green for everyone. Everyone, no matter your hair, skin, or eye color, can wear it. If you think green is not your color, you just haven't found the right shade yet.
If you're unsure of where to start, I'm of the opinion that rich emerald green looks good on everyone.
2. Limit the use of emerald and scarlet if you don't want to conjure up mistletoe.
Instead, try different variations of these hues, like rusty red and teal.
Source: fabric.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
Or minty jade and claret.
Source: garden-artistry.tumblr.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
Or chartreuse and vermilion.
Source: google.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
Or olive and cherry.
Acid green, strawberry pink, and hints of berry red.
Source: tulapink.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
Teal and salmon:
Source: google.com.au via Yarnista on Pinterest
3. Watch the proportions.
As I've mentioned in my previous color theory posts, the amount of an accent color you add makes a difference.
In the case of this rug, the accent of red highlights the pattern without visually overwhelming it.
Source: garnethill.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
The pop of this red chair in an otherwise green bathroom makes the green look more vibrant.
In the case of this bedroom, the spring green tempers the energy of the red.
4. Add a third (or fourth) color to your palette. One small addition to a red/green palette helps break up the holiday feel and puts the focus back on the stars of the show.
In this case, a wheat shade offsets the blue/green and red beautifully.
Source: creaturecomfortsblog.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
I like the small bit of yellow added in this bouquet as well. It seems fresher and lighter.
Source: google.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
You can have a primary color palette without looking like you still dress in Garanimals.
Source: threeirishgirls.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
The merest hint of teal gives this one some wow factor.
Source: threeirishgirls.com via Beckie 'beckerella' on Pinterest
I love the addition of brown into a red and green palette.
Source: threeirishgirls.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
And for something slightly more unusual, consider black and yellow.
Source: threeirishgirls.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
Other colors I like paired with red and green:
Violet:
Source: weddings.theknot.com via Shannon on Pinterest
Orange:
Source: jessicatierney.com via Yarnista on Pinterest
And (surprise!) turquoise:
So what have we learned?
A. Two out of three Yarnistas, Van Goghs, and Mothers Nature agree: Green goes with everything. All greens go together.
B. Red and green bring out the best in each other, mentally and physically.
C. Avoid using saturated emerald and deep scarlet if a holiday look isn't what you're going for.
D. If you're stuck, trying building in at least one more color into your palette.
For more information and inspiration, I've created a Pinterest board dedicated to red and green color palettes. You don't have to be a member to see it, so click here to check it out. If you'd like a Pinterest invite, use the contact form here, on the upper right, and I'll be happy to pass along an invitation.
What say you? Ready to tackle this color combination without the Ho, Ho, No?
Reader Comments (18)
Oh my! Please tell me that yarn with the blood red, deep forest, with pops of purple and brown is going to be available somewhere> That is my most favorite combination of red and green EVER! I have enjoyed your color series. Thanks!
Angela, the colorways here are all part of my past work. If you're in a club, you can order them!
lesson learned. now how to do red and yellow without it looking like McDonald's or a car title loan business?
And what do you wear if you have green hair? ;)
Pink.
Wonderful post -- makes me wish I had flaming red hair. I have always loved green but just recently I had my "colors" done by an image consultant and I was amazed at the shades of green that look best on me (shades I'd never tried before). Would love to see some sweaters knit in green and reds that aren't so Christmassy -- have any examples you could share?
where can I get that color wheel?
Wow such beautiful yarn! I need!!!!
Terri, I found it on Pinterest. I don't know where you can buy it, or if it's even for sale. :)
Wool Free, I just posted a bunch more non-holiday red and green knitting projects on the Pinterest board!
Now I know why I love red so much.
nice explanation :)
Thank you for the wonderful lessons, I am learning a tremendous amount. Could you come decorate my house?
When you are finished with the color lessons, could you make them available as a download? I need to keep them handy for future reference.
I wore a burnt orange shirt today and a ring with a kelly-green stone. It made me think of you.
Terri, There are similar wheels available at Hobby Lobby in various (at least 2, anyway) sizes. Not too expensive, plus a weekly 40% off coupon. :)
I always tell people I don't like green. As a matter of fact I tell them I hate green. Then I discover that I do indeed like green, just not the color I associate with green. I like lime and spring green. Teal and what you called acid green. Alive green. Jungle green is good. I now have to quit telling people I hate green!
Yarnardent, what color green do you hate? :)
One of my favorite modern uses of red and green is in the film Amélie. There are some great special features on the dvd that talk about how they intensified the colors in postproduction. If you search for any images of the film, you'll see how there's an overarching red (usually a bright crimson) and green (sometimes seafoam, sometimes jade, always green!) color theme to the film. It really gives an incredible vitality to the film.
so, I read your blog to my 10 year old (boy) and when we got to the end, he was just soooo impressed with how you managed to take the colors and put them into the wool. I was impressed too. as for the color theory stuff, thank you. i'm crafty and creative with no foundation but interest and inclination. I am also a hater of almost all things green color, but maybe i'm not really. I can appreciate them, I just don't prefer them.