Hints and Tips for Using Your 12-Tone Colour Palette: 1/ Low Chroma

If your personal colouring harmonises with one of the gentler tones (Soft Summer or Soft Autumn) it is important to remember that whenever you are making a colour decision- be it clothing, cosmetics or hair colour – ask yourself this question…is it soft enough for me?

If you are looking for clothes, cosmetics or fabrics from the 12-Tone Soft Autumn or 12-Tone Soft Summer area of colour space, it is important to make sure that the chroma (brightness/softness) is right for you.  Notice the subtle but important difference between the intensity in colour of these two different fabrics?  The fabric on the right reflects back more light and as a result the colour seems clearer, crisper and more dominant.  The fabric on the left absorbs more light and looks softer, powdery or dusty by comparison.

An easy way for you to check the intensity of the colour is by using your 12-Tone colour palette as a guide.   To do this place your ‘fan’ over the colour in question and look to see what happens.

If the colour is too bright it will dominate and you may notice that the hues in your ‘fan’ become pale, dull and lacking in depth as a result.  This is a sure sign of disharmony and is the same effect that the colour would have (on you) if you were to wear it as clothing, or make up.

On the other hand, if the chroma of colour is just right (soft enough) the hues in your ‘fan’ will be intensified and appear to gain in strength, radiance and beauty. These are the positive optical illusions created by colour harmony and is the effect that you are after!