Cool colors in art refer to shades on the blue, green, purple, and sometimes white side of the color spectrum. They evoke feelings of calmness, relaxation, and serenity. Some common cool colors used in art are blue, green, purple, turquoise, teal, aqua, mint, and violet. Cool colors often remind us of things like water, sky, spring, and foliage. Using cool colors in art can help set a tranquil or soothing mood.
Defining Cool Colors
The definition of a “cool” color is one that contains blue undertones. On the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel used by artists, cool colors fall on the green, blue, and purple sides. They are the hues ranging from green-blue to violet.
Some more specific definitions of cool colors in art:
– Blue – Any shade of blue, from navy to sky blue. Blue is considered the quintessential “cool” color.
– Green – Green is made by mixing yellow and blue, so most greens have blue undertones. The only exception is yellow-green which is a warmer shade.
– Purple – Purples are mixtures of red and blue, so they derive their coolness from the blue. Some shades like violet are very cool.
– Turquoise – A bluish-green shade, turquoise is quite a cool color. It reminds us of tropical seas.
– Teal – Teal is a blue-green shade that is quite dark and muted. It’s cooler than minty greens.
– Aqua – Aqua is a lighter, brighter shade of blue-green. It has more vibrancy than teal.
– Violet – Violet sits between blue and purple and is often considered one of the coolest shades. It has a calming effect.
– Lavender – A light purple with some blue mixed in. Lavender is soft, cool, and airy.
– Indigo – A dark midnight blue associated with deep water. Indigo has mystical connotations.
– Mint – While greener than the other shades, mint retains some blue notes, giving it a coolness.
So in summary, the definition of a cool color in art refers to any hue ranging from blue-green to purple that has blue undertones. They create a cooling, calming impression.
The Color Wheel
On the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel used by artists, cool colors occupy the green, blue, and purple segments of the wheel. The cool colors sit opposite the warm colors like red, orange, and yellow.
| Warm Colors | Cool Colors |
|---|---|
| Red | Green |
| Orange | Blue |
| Yellow | Purple |
When you look at the color wheel, you can see how green marks the transition point between the warm and cool shades. Yellow-green is just slightly cool, while blue-green is more decidedly cool thanks to the blue notes.
On the wheel, the coolest hues are the purples and blues in the bottom half. Violets, indigos, and navy blues radiate the most coolness. Turquoise and teal sit nearer to the green-blue midpoint.
So the position of a color on the artist’s wheel can help determine whether it’s warm or cool. But the main distinguishing factor is the presence of blue undertones.
Mixing Cool Colors
You can mix your own cool colors by combining paints with a blue bias. Here are some examples of mixtures that yield cool shades:
– Blue + White = Baby Blue, Sky Blue
– Blue + Purple = Violet
– Blue + Green = Teal, Turquoise
– Purple + White = Lavender
– Purple + Green = Dark Purple
Adding white to a blue or purple hue lightens the shade and gives it an airy, cool quality. Combining blue and green produces the classic cool shades like turquoise and teal. Mixing blue into purple intensifies the cool tones, creating hues like indigo and violet.
You can also add a small amount of blue to darker greens to make them cooler in tone. A tiny bit of blue can turn a minty green into a more refreshing, cool shade. Avoid mixing yellow into greens as that will only warm them up.
When painting, having blues, purples, andcool greens on your palette will allow you to mix a wide range of gorgeous cool colors. Adjust the amounts as needed to produce lighter, darker, more muted, or brighter variations. Experiment and see what unique cool colors you can create.
Properties of Cool Colors
Cool colors like blue, green, and purple share the following common properties:
Calming effect – Cool colors are tranquil and serene. They evoke feelings of relaxation due to their association with soothing subjects like water, sky, and plants. Using cool colors can lower stress levels.
Mood – Cool colors often create a contemplative, introspective mood. Lavender and indigo are thought to stimulate imagination and creativity.
Distance – Cool colors recede in space and make objects seem further away. Using them in background elements creates depth.
Size – Similarly, cool colors can make shapes and objects appear smaller than their actual size.
Light – Cool colors feel lighter and airier than warm colors. Light blue has a weightless quality.
Temperature – We associate cool colors with actual cool temperatures. Blue and purple can elicit a cooling sensation.
Value – Cool colors are typically lower in value – meaning they reflect less light. Intense cool shades like navy blue or violet appear darker.
So in summary, the main properties of cool colors are tranquility, low temperature, lighter weight, increased distance/size reduction, lowered value, and imaginative mood.
Use in Art
Cool colors perform several valuable functions in art:
– Convey calm – Using cool colors is one of the most direct ways to create a serene mood. Light blues and greens radiate stillness and peace.
– Create contrast – Juxtaposing cool and warm colors adds visual interest through contrast. This contrast is bold yet harmonious.
– Recession – Cool colors naturally recede into the background, giving depth via atmospheric perspective. Distant mountains painted blue appear far away.
– Highlight focus – Surrounding an area of interest with cool colors draws extra attention to the focal point.
– Tone down intensity – The low intensity of cool colors helps soften intensely warm colors so they don’t overwhelm a composition.
– Natural subjects – Many natural subjects contain cool colors like skies, water, and flora. Greens, blues, and violets depict organic life.
Artists can utilize cool colors for any number of purposes depending on the desired effect. Some examples:
– Painting a sunset using fiery oranges balanced by cool blues and purples.
– Creating a landscape with muted cool greens to set a tranquil mood.
– Surrounding a bright yellow flower with violet shadows to make it pop.
– Rendering an indigo night sky to convey an atmospheric mood.
– Adding teal accents to emphasize elements in a complex composition.
The versatile applications of cool colors make them useful for realistically depicting nature as well as creatively modifying mood, focus, and balance in a painting.
Cool Color Schemes
When selecting a complementary palette of cool colors, it helps to choose shades that have a clear relationship on the color wheel. Some examples of cool color schemes are:
Analogous – Analogous schemes use adjacent hues like blue, blue-violet, and violet. This creates a sense of visual continuity.
Triadic – A triadic palette uses colors evenly spaced around the wheel like blue, yellow-green, and violet. This contrast adds energy.
Split-Complementary – This uses a color plus the two adjacent to its complement, such as blue, yellow-orange, and red-violet.
Tetradic – Combining two complementary pairs like blue and orange with violet and yellow-green forms a vibrant tetradic scheme.
Monochromatic – Shades, tints, and tones of a single hue like blues and violets produces a soothing monochromatic palette.
Cool color schemes work well for creating ambiance. A monochromatic blue scheme suggests tranquility, while contrasting hues can be bold or energetic.
Psychology of Cool Colors
There is an extensive psychology behind cool colors and their effects on moods, feelings, and behaviors. Some examples:
Blue – Blue lightens spirits and calms the mind. It represents serenity, stability, wisdom, and productivity. Dark blues are intellectual while light blues are soothing.
Green – Green balances emotions and promotes harmony. It encourages growth, renewal, and vitality. Greens also represent abundance and wealth.
Purple – Purple increases imagination and spirituality. It inspires creativity, mysticism, and fantasy. Light purples are romantic and nostalgic.
Turquoise – Turquoise relaxes the mind and body. It symbolizes open communication and clarity of thought. Turquoise also brings thoughts of tropical waters.
Lavender – Lavender reduces anxiety and emotional tension. It enables relaxation and self-reflection. Lavender is also associated with spring and femininity.
Teal – Teal inspires perseverance and resilience. It represents emotional balance and stability through trying times. Deeper teals impart a sense of wisdom.
This psychological influence comes from the inherent properties of cool colors as well as cultural associations. Smart use of cool colors can beneficially impact mood and mindset.
Cool Color Palettes
Some examples of classic cool color palettes include:
Blue & Green – Blue and green are colors of nature that evoke tranquility, renewal, and resilience. Combining sky blue and forest green promotes emotional and physical healing.
Purple & Blue – Blending light purples and soft blues creates an ethereal, dreamy effect. This palette stimulates the imagination and induces a calm mental state.
Blue & Violet – Midnight blues and deep violets produce an introspective, meditative ambiance. This palette can aid spiritual awareness and creative thought.
Green & Turquoise – Earthy, yellow-tinged greens contrasted with bright turquoise is reminiscent of the tropics. It calls to mind feelings of escape and adventure.
Lavender & Mint – Mixing airy lavenders and cool mints creates a cheerful, springtime vibe. This feminine palette feels gracious and elegant.
These combinations provide a sampling of the diverse moods and impressions achievable using cool color schemes. Adjusting the balance of shades and adding accents allows endless customization.
Cool Color Names
Here is a list of some specific cool colors names, organized by general hue category:
Blues: Navy, Cobalt, Ultramarine, Aegean, Sapphire, Egyptian, Steel, Ice, Sky, Baby Blue
Greens: Seafoam, Aquamarine, Teal, Emerald, Jade, Mint, Pastel Green, Pistachio, Ocean Green
Purples: Lilac, Lavender, Wisteria, Orchid, Plum, Iris, Grape, Violet, Indigo
Violets: Thistle, Amethyst, Mulberry, Heliotrope, Majorelle, Viola
Turquoises: Celeste, Aqua, Cyan, Light Turquoise, Dark Turquoise, Blue-Green
Multicolor: Peacock, Chambray, Shadow Green, Peridot, Ultramarine Green
Having the right descriptive language helps identify the exact cool shade you want, whether referring to an existing color or mixing a custom one. Keep this list handy when working with cool color palettes.
Cool Color Combinations
Some examples of pleasing cool color combinations:
– Pale blue, jade green, lavender
– Indigo, violet, seafoam
– Midnight blue, emerald, light turquoise
– Dark teal, olive green, light purple
– Navy, forest green, lilac
– Cobalt blue, mint, orchid
These demonstrate using three cool hues from the blue, green, and purple families. The contrasts in shade, tint, and tone create natural dynamic harmony.
Other appealing cool color schemes:
– Monochromatic blue + white
– Split complementary blue, burnt sienna, and purple
– Tetradic lavender, yellow-green, turquoise, and orange
– Triadic blue-violet, emerald, and crimson
Mixing cool with warm colors adds vibrant contrast. Using split complementary and tetradic schemes lend energy. A mono blue palette imparts peaceful serenity.
Cool Color Decorating
In interior design and decoration, cool colors create rooms with tranquil ambiance. Some cool color decorating ideas:
– Bedroom – Lavenders, blues, and greens foster restful sleep and relaxation. Using all cool tones makes a bedroom feel like a sanctuary.
– Bathroom – Aquas, seaglass greens, and sky blues give a bathroom a refreshing, spa-like vibe. Cool colors feel cleansing.
– Living Room – Teals, violets, and blue-grays cultivate a lounge-like tranquility perfect for conversation and reading.
– Dining Room – Cool colors like sage greens, slate blues, and muted violets stimulate appetite and encourage cheerful gatherings.
– Office – Pale blues, celadon greens, and soft teals have a productivity-boosting effect. Cool tones prevent distraction.
– Nursery – Light cool colors like seafoam, pastel blue, and lilac have a soothing nurturing quality appropriate for infants.
Using an all or mostly cool color scheme creates a composed, refreshing setting that facilitates relaxation at home. Cool colors also pair beautifully with white and natural wood accents.
Cool Colors in Fashion
In clothing and fashion, cool colors project understated elegance and sophistication:
– Navy – A versatile dark blue that flatters most complexions. Navy dresses, suits, and coats are timeless.
– Emerald Green – Vivid emerald is an eye-catching accent color for handbags, shoes, and jewelry against neutral tones.
– Lavender – As a soft pastel, lavender communicates femininity and grace, especially in flowing fabrics like chiffon.
– Violet – Vibrant purple adds drama and intrigue to apparel. Darker violets like amethyst and iris are regal evening tones.
– Mint Green – Crisp mint is associated with springtime and looks fresh in cottons, linens, and silky materials.
– Ice Blue – Delicate icy blue or bone white blues flatter fair, blonde coloring. These soft hues evoke ethereal elegance.
– Greige – A sophisticated blend of gray and beige that provides an elegant neutral foundation for cool accent hues.
Incorporating cool tones allows you to curate a smart, stylish wardrobe with a cohesive ambiance. Keeping mostly to shades in the blue and green families creates a polished look.
Cool Colors in Marketing
Cool colors can be used strategically in business marketing and branding:
Trustworthiness
Blue tones convey reliability and honesty. Brands use blue to inspire consumer confidence.
Loyalty
Dark blue inspires loyalty. Maintaining blue branding cultivates customer allegiance.
Security
Blue and green create feelings of safety and assurance. Brands use them to sell security products.
Nature
Green and blue represent the natural world. Eco-friendly brands adopt these tones.
Relaxation
Cool hues remind people of destressing. Spas, therapists, and meditation apps use tranquil cool tones.
Freshness
Crisp blues, violets, and aquas represent cleanliness and refreshment. Hygiene brands harness this effect.
Femininity
Soft lavenders, purples, and teals target female demographics. Cosmetic companies often use these colors.
So cool color psychology applies meaningfully to eliciting positive perceptions among consumers. Using cool tones appropriately boosts branding success.
Cool Colors in Food
The cool hues of many foods and beverages tie into sensations of refreshment and sweetness:
– Blue – Blue foods like berries signal antioxidant properties. Blue raspberry and cotton candy flavors taste sugary and synthetic.
– Green