Somehow I missed this Van Gogh beauty! I may never have seen it or I was not quite awake in my 7:15 a.m. art history class. What a refreshing surprise! I caught a glimpse of this painting just a few months ago and just love the color explosion. It did something for me!

Color is a treasure for me, it gives me great joy. To some that might seem extreme, to others they “get it.” It is a source of non-verbal communication that whispers in a universal language.

Many people ask me how I select the colors for such a beautiful room, an entire home, or a branding project. I gather my inspiration from many sources. Certain colors echo a meaning, expand a feeling, tell a story, or create an environment of emotion. I gather some of my greatest inspiration from different forms of art, vintage items, nature, and to many peoples’ surprise, the make-up counter.

Travel with me and I will share my process of dissecting an “inspiration item” to gain the perfect colors for your next project. Find some object you love, one that does something for you, one that makes your mind sing: a painting, an antique item, or something from nature. So let’s get started.

Three Easy Steps to Finding the Perfect colors

Foundation  COLORS

1. The first process is to select the main neutral colors in your item. These are the “calm” colors. These are the browns, tans, grays and in some cases greens. They can be dark or light. These are called our “Foundation Colors” as this is the base of what will create the firm foundation of your design. In this process, one detail to note is ask yourself, ” are these colors warm?” (moving towards brown or yellow tones) or “are they cool?” (moving towards gray or blue tones). It is normally best to select either a group of warm or cool colors, but not both. These colors will be used generously in your project and connect all of your colors together to create a beautiful blend and presentation. These are the Foundation Colors I have selected for Van Gogh’s “Landscape Under a Stormy Sky.”

1  Brown     HEx#: 52433e     RGB: 81/67/61     Benjamin Moore: Branchport Brown HC-72

2  Light Sage Green     HEx#: 9a967a    RGB: 157/150/122     Benjamin Moore: Raintree Green 1496

3  ECRU     HEx#: e7dfca     RGB: 232/223/201     Benjamin Moore: Sweet Spring 1500

COMPLIMENT  COLORS

2. The second step is to select the more vivid, “laughing and speaking” colors. They are the colors that show up first when you see the item. The “extrovert” colors. These colors are called the “Compliment Colors.” They make the distinction to the project. These colors say the most; they are the ones that define your project and are used in a more modest proportion. And not all of the colors selected must be used in your project; you may select any combination of these and still represent the same feel as your inspirational item.

4  Midnight Blue    HEx#: 4a505e    RGB:73/80/94     Benjamin Moore: Lucerne af-530

5  Mocha     HEx#: 7d6b67   RGB: 124/107/103     Benjamin Moore: Tempest

6  Coral    HEx#: ca7d53    RGB: 202/124/81     Benjamin Moore: Pumpkin Patch 055

7  Evergreen    HEx#: 656c5c    RGB: 101/107/91     Benjamin Moore: Jack Pine 692

8  Grass green     HEx#: 898723    RGB: 137/135/36     Benjamin Moore: Mountain Lane 488

 9  Light Lavender     HEx#: 98a9aa    RGB: 167/169/171     Benjamin Moore: Airway 828

Accent COLORS

3. The third step is to find your Accent Color. This is the color that is “screaming” at you. Some times there is only one of these colors and it is best you utilize it in very small portions. This is the color that adds the last finishing touch. It is the exclamation mark to your project.

10  Paprika     HEx#: bf5c2a   RGB: 191/92/42     Benjamin Moore: Fiery Opal 077

11  Mustard     HEx#: c4a33a     RGB: 195/163/57     Benjamin Moore: Hollywood Gold 279

Look and see the combination you have developed for your project. Do you love it? Now you have it all organized and ready to go! A few Foundation Colors to hold it together, a selection of Compliment Colors to make the statement, and an Accent Color to toss in your last “Wow!”

Try it and see how it goes, I think you will be pleased!

Credits: Van Gogh, “Landscape Under a Stormy Sky,” May 1888. Oil on canvas, 59.5 x 70 cm. Private collection of Louis and Evelyn Franck; on extended loan to the Fondation Gianadda in Martigny, Switzerland.   http://www.vggallery.com/