How to make colours ‘POP’ by using the colour black
A little diversion here from the colour black…I have always wanted to play the saxophone. For 20 years I have been ranting about how I was going to take it up when I turned 60 and be a “groovy granny” and form an all-girl geriatric jazz band. Thankfully, I was persuaded to take it up much earlier than planned! Two and a half years have now past and my little brain cells (which have never experienced learning to read music or play an instrument) have been challenged, cajoled, stretched and manipulated! And I haven’t even mentioned my fingers!
Anyway…what’s this got to do with the colour black you are probably asking?? Well, I am learning a beautiful tune called “The Colour Black” and it got me thinking how ….
I LOVE BLACK and LOVE WEARING BLACK.
This may be surprising to some of you given that I continually banter on about the lack of virtues for beige, grey, brown and 20 shades of white. But, black is different. Technically, black is not a colour. It’s actually the absence of colour. (although this point is still being debated)
Now, I must stipulate here that I never wear black on its own. You will never see me out, or even at home for that matter, in a totally black outfit. But, for a large number of men and women, black is their modus operandi with very little diversion.
Universally, black is seen as stylish, elegant and sophisticated. It’s associated with power, strength, fear, mystery and authority. It also portrays seriousness… all good attributes yet it lacks some imagination and the seriousness part is not a constant state I wish to be in!
So what makes black so fantastic for me? It’s what black does to other colours that is so exciting. Black makes colours pop! To explain my point I am going to refer to the “bible” of colour. Written by Johannes Itten, a German artist and teacher in 1961, “The Art of Colour” is still considered the definitive source on colour.
I won’t bore you to tears with lots of technical stuff… I only ask that you look at this image for a few minutes if you can spare the time.
See how the yellow square on white looks darker and on the black square it acquires an extra brilliance?
How about the red square? Again, red looks darker on white, but on black, wow, see how it pops and radiates warmth?
Now blue….can you see how the blue on the white square has more depth whereas on the black square, the blue takes on a brilliant character?
Amazing isn’t it! Well….I get excited over things like this….weird???
While writing this blog I realised that I actually have no clothes that are just white, except a singlet. On the other hand I do have loads of black and white clothes and accessories especially as spots or stripes. Add red to this combination and you will have the most stylish and striking garb around! A veritable sea of contrast. The same can be said for this combination in interiors…soooo smart and sophisticated!
Black, white and red is one of my favourite all time combinations. In fact, on those days when I am feeling a little dotty (which basically means a little jumpy, grumpy or just crazy) I have my favourite go to outfit which is all dots and spots. Why be shy about it. Scream to the world “I am dotty and proud of it!”
The beauty of black is that you can literally team it with any colour and it will look fantastic whether wearing it or using it in your home. So, give it a go. Have fun!
Kaye xx
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