Lecture Notes: Color Theory and Identifying Colors

Introduction

• Focus on the meat of the class: Color Theory
• Importance of naming colors and mapping them on a 2D wheel

Naming Colors

• Two ways to describe color:
  • Partially
  • Fully

Three Properties of Color

1. Hue: Around the color wheel (e.g., yellow, blue).
2. Value/Level: How light or dark the color is (e.g., light yellow).
3. Saturation/Chroma: In to out, how strong or weak the color is.

Mapping Color on a 2D Wheel

• Go to the hue.
• Identify the level/value.
• Determine if the color is muted, blended, or vibrant.

Practical Application

• Example: Naming a color as a vibrant level nine yellow.
• Partially naming colors is common in the hair industry; the goal is to name fully.
• Swatch books are helpful but may not always be accurate; swatching out is crucial for accuracy.

Importance of Saturation in Formulation

• Saturation affects the final color result.
• Knowing the saturation helps in achieving predictable color outcomes.

Example: Hair Color Analysis

• Identify hue (copper gold).
• Estimate value/level (level seven).
• Determine saturation (e.g., vibrant or muted).

Visualizing Colors in 2D

• Hue (copper gold).
• Level (seven).
• Saturation (e.g., vibrant, blended, muted).
• Map it correctly on the 2D wheel for a full and accurate picture.

Swatching: Why and How

• Swatching out helps identify the true color in the tube.
• Importance of oxidative dyes: Color parts in the tube come together via a developer to create the final color.

Tools and Tips for Swatching

• Use white materials (e.g., muslin, paper towel) for swatching to see the true color.

Color Theory Basics

• Primary Colors: Yellow, Red, Blue.
• Secondary Colors: Green, Orange, Violet.
• Tertiary Colors: Mix of primary and secondary colors.
• Natural vs. Neutral: Understand the difference and how to achieve them.

Analogous Colors

• Neighboring colors that soften (above) or enhance (below).
• Practical application example in hair coloring.

Conclusion

• Swatching and knowing the hue, value, and saturation are essential for accurate color formulation.
• Use the color wheel to identify and map colors accurately.
• Importance of swatching out to verify the true color in the tube.

Upcoming Activities

• Break for 3 minutes.
• Upcoming focus on identifying level and saturation, then color mixing.

Key Takeaways

• Always name colors fully: Hue, Value, and Saturation.
• Use swatches to identify true colors from tubes.
• Understand and use the color wheel efficiently.