Choosing Color Pallettes

[rapscallion]

Hey...Hi...have you ever noticed how many potentially good 3D and 2D images just don't "work" because of the lack of a cohesive feel? Well, fine artists for years have understood the importance of a unified color scheme, and though I could recommend several good books and classes and references for color theory, I thought I'd give you guys my secret...I know it sounds totally stupid, but I've been doing this for years...so here goes...ever heard of Behr Paint products? doesn't matter if you have...but the thing about them is that they have a cool little tool on their site www.Behr.com where you can select any color (or colors) and it will come up with all kinds of pleasing color pallettes that you can choose from which are all based on the initial choices you make...so if you have a red car and guy in a blue suit you could easily get a quick list of ten other colors guaranteed to blend well in your scene...you don't have to go to Behr, I'm sure other paint companies have a similar thing, or you could always cruise the paint aisle at the hardware store...anyhow...I know this is silly, but next time you feel like your image just isn't holding itself together the way you like, consider that a tighter color pallette might change that...please don't boo and hiss...wishing the best...from the void...j.p.rapscallion...

[Mylenium]

...or you could do something even better: Make yourself an expert by reading about color theories, both psycho-perceptional and scientific! This will be a more profound solution and is always good to make yourself stand out of the crowd.

Mylenium

[rapscallion]

Hey...Hi Mylenium...I agree that actually understanding the reason behind a good color pallette is definitely the best way to go, which is why I have spent half a lifetime studying these concepts and more, but this was put up for those who don't have the time, money, or interest in becoming color experts...this is a great quick reference for beginners and professionals alike who have focused their time in other areas and just need some help, not to mention that even the supposed "experts" occasionally like to have a second "opinion"...if you have any other really simple ideas for those who just need quick reference please feel free to post again...one more quick idea I'll throw out is this...everyone here must have seen a color wheel at some point, right? well, if colors are directly across from each other on the wheel, they are complimentary and will create a powerful color contrast in your scene while being prefectly compatible...you can also "split" the complimentary by picking two colors just to each side of the exact complimentary - this will give you a similar feel, but with less edge and more depth...you can also use Triadic colors, which are picking three equally spaced colors on the wheel, but this can sometimes become too garish if you aren't too careful...keep in mind that these really simple color concepts are equally useful when choosing light colors...so I wish continued success to all my fellow creatives...ftv...j.p.rapscallion...

[toby]

I've been wanting to learn more about color, so I've been combing the web, and now I've seen enough "basic" color tutorials to make me blue in the face.

Yours is the first information I've seen go beyond that, and it's something I can apply directly - and using that color tool will be great experience!

thank you scoundrel! :^)
toby

p.s. If you do have any links to more advanced color theory, I'd love to see them ( more advanced than "blue is cool and red is warm", I'm pretty tired of that)

[riki]

This book has some good advice on colour theory.

Digital Texturing & Painting (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0735709181/suture/no-sim/102-9287916-3770508)