How to Explore Color Matching Techniques

Pigments from the earth create modern colors.  Chemists will spend years analyzing the components of the specific pigment to create vibrant new colors. If you explore the depth of color theory and you will have an excellent guide for matching techniques in color for painting and design related issues within your home or garden.

1. Select enough paint from one batch to even out pigment variations for your entire project. Usually one lot of paint will use pigments from the same batch or pigment quarry. Check the date or lot number for further information on the paint consistency. Remember to purchase about 10 percent more than you will need, this will accommodate for mistakes.


2. Determine is a house or furniture color restoration is possible. First select your basic color wheel and find the primary color, a blue color. Identify the type of pigment. For example, the pigment may be a cobalt or ultramarine blue. Next make color swatches of this primary pigment.


3. Provide the primary color to be mixed with one, possibly two other colors; any more mixing than this and a gray color will occur. Try to find the closest pigment in the range. For example, say cadmium orange is the closest pigment. Put this color down on a swatch.  Mix your cobalt blue with cadmium orange (B,R,Y), and paint on a swatch; at a 50/50 ratio, 60/40 ratio.  This is the color density.


4. Mix crafts, for example candle making or paint glazes, blend the product using a pigment ratio for paints and waxes. The MAYA computer program has a formula for obtaining the proper mix ratio. For example you can control the pigment weight of a specific color with the control blend of a pigment in your mix ratio. Once you know the ratio, you are able to remix for color matching.


5. Classify your primary color pigment and your secondary color pigment for mixing. Also classify what the percentage of white is added to obtain the hue or shadow. Color Aid is a graphics tool, found at art stores that can assist with your color matching, and the cards have a nice breakdown of the color sample.


6. Analyze the amount and direction of light in the room that will have an impact on your color matching. A decorator will take strips of white paper, the length of the wall and paints with the new color, comparing with the older paint.


7. Evaluate a mutable color; never expect a color to just “fall into place" without working to perfect your overall color perception and design quality. Obtaining your dream color requires you to develop sophisticated schemes to match the color. Many designers offer showroom assistance to match that dream color or colors. Check to see the video of color schemes using your rooms with various paint and design companies like Ralph Lauren Home.