Color Theory 4: Mutes, Undertones, Neutrals

43 thoughts on “Color Theory 4: Mutes, Undertones, Neutrals”

1. You couldn't be more right about leather colors! The names always represented some sort of drink/liquid or food. Sometimes I thought whomever named some of the leather colors at the tannery had a bit too much drink/liquid! As for color theory this is my favorite exercise. I like to use a 9 x 9 grid and in the middle going horizontal I'd use compliment colors (one on each side and the middle very center square the most neutral that you can tell which color it favors more). Then the vertical squares going up would be tone and going down from the center squares would be shade. I'm going to give your method a whirl because even though I don't necessarily need to do this exercise because I need to buy because I love to paint and mess around with color theory. Even though I'm confident with my color theory knowledge I always learn something knew or am reminded how beautiful a certain colors colors are mixed then spend a few hours hyper focused of different color palettes that sing.

   I love color theory so I hope to see you keep the series's going either generically or how it applies to fashion.

2. ooohhh….did you know that my daughter is your big fan…I love you….??

3. this. is a great video thank you it's helped me alot

4. what are you using to cover your work area with ??

5. TFS so much good information! I could listen to you all day on any subject but I especially love color theory. Please continue ? thanks!

6. Could you do a review of all the gouaches you've tested out and why to like or dislike each? That would be really helpful.

7. These videos have really helped with my illustrations please keep doing these awesome videos, Feeling really inspired!!

8. i never plan on going into anything art/visual related but i absolutely love watching your videos and learning about the more technical aspects of fashion and design in general. it really helps to appreciate things we tend to take for granted/ not notice, like the different types of brown and their undertones and why we gravitate to one color and not the other when there isn't a glaringly obvious difference. Plus its just nice to see someone older on Youtube who can teach in a way that is easy to understand and has a fun personality.

9. Brush death at 5:54 was tragic. I have a brush that does the same thing, and the bristles are so floppy that they don't spring back after being pressed out of shape. Eugh. Anywhoo, TFS. I love these videos so much!

10. I love your color theory videos ?? As a web developer/occasional web designer, I feel like this will help me tremendously. Cant wait for your next color theory video.

11. hai…

12. My name is Prakriti Nath…I feel glad to talk with you….I am waiting for your next video…☺☺

13. Hi Zoe, just want to let you know that I really appreciate all the work that you do. I've been watching your channel for a while and normally shy away from commenting. BTW I think you would be a fantastic high school teacher! I have a question, I noticed that you have a fantastic marker collection. How do you use them to render you fashion illustrations?

14. you are my idol? You helped me so much!! Thanks!❤

15. I'm a retired fashion illustrator, a graduate of THE prestigious school in NYC-and no one taught me color theory like you do. I'm finally understanding it, tbqh.

16. These color theory videos have been so helpful. In the first of the series you talked about color stories. Now that you've shown us all these awesome techniques, I'd live for you to do a video revisiting that idea with some examples.

17. I like your videos

18. This was great. Please keep going!!!

19. This is some invaluable information right here ???

20. How do you keep your gouache from drying up too quick on your palette , I could just be missing something but it looks like the paint continues to stay fairly wet

21. Love how you crack yourself up. Thanks for all the info. If been an artist all my life and self taught and one thing I want to learn more is color theory since I never learned it in a school setting.

22. These neutrals are so beautiful! Appreciating these colours are so important, thank you for such a nice explanation 🙂

23. Hey! Did you end up making the color theory for fashion video?

24. I loved this Color Theory series… I freaking loved it. I am so glad that somebody actually made a course in Color Theory that doesn't involve art history. I've struggled with this field of art for so long, because every time I tried to take a paid course they tried to teach me about Picasso or something. Kudos to you for actually breaking the mold and making a straight-out technique only course.

25. Hello Zeo, I really really love your videos, they are so fun and easy to watch, and super helpful. BIG BIG THANKS.

26. I just finished watching your color theory series. I've learned more from you than other videos I've encountered on the subject. Thank you! I'm now a subscriber.

27. I think you present in a wonderful way Please continue Love your tutorial

28. Amazing info ???

29. Thank you very much, your videos are so helpful!

30. Thank you for opening my eyes to colour mixing, shades, tints and tones. I am indebted

31. Just finished your 4 color theorie videos. Very helpful. I'm a miniature painter, but the theory to apply to your art is all the same.
    I totally love that you're diving deep into the theory. Thanks a lot!

32. Hi zoe
    Is it that important for the designer to know this part of colors and how to mix them and practicing them all the time on the papers?!!

33. You could also mix black using all the primary colors, or using compliments. They will take time and practice to achieve a toned black without making the colors duller.

34. Hmm, do mutes work differently with a cmyk colour wheel? They would all be closer in value right.

35. THis video is the best for understanding colour and muted colour! Where did you first learn about this? There are graphic designers online who don't even know this yet : )

36. Yes please ! Apply these to fashion! and whatever you do I'll watch for sure 🙂

37. I am an architecture student but I LOVE LOVE LOVE your videos because I want fashion figures in my hand drawn renderings!!! THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME GET OUT OF THE WORLD OF GRAPHITE – this is my first color theory video that made sense!!! XO David

38. You're a wonderful teacher. (I've never comment on a YouTube video before)

39. You teach so amazingly well. I never understood everything about color till you did these color theory videos. Please keep teaching more!

40. what is Undertone

41. More color theory videos please! ?‍?

42. OK. Wish I was more specific with a previous comment– Would love to see a video of yours that (with total disregard of fabric selection/choice) applies color theory to the finalization of patterns. If nothing else, maybe a few safety guides or do-not's when it comes to marrying warmer & cooler tones/tints/mutes of colors within a single piece.???

    You mentioned that someone asked you to summarize into one sentence what color theory is…if asked the same question I would say that color theory is important because it sets the mood (genre) for story telling. Undoubtedly, good design/styling will make a statement but with color it always leaves a mark.

43. x

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