Color Theory

Dyeing your own fabrics requires a basic knowledge of color theory and familiarity with a color wheel. All colors can be made using combinations of the three primary colors - red, yellow and blue and knowing how to combine them gives you the ability to create a whole spectrum of color. Color theory is also useful in other embellishing techniques - knowing which color can provide just the right spark to bring your creation to life can be invaluable.

The three primary colors; red, yellow and blue, are represented in fiber-reactive dyes by fuchsia, yellow and turquoise. These are very close to the printer's primary colors of magenta, yellow and cyan and blend together to make clearer, brighter colors than red, yellow and blue. In practice, it is often easier to buy a few of the more difficult colors to blend as pre-mixed dye powders.

The primary colors and all colors blended using them are called pure colors or hues because they have no white, gray or black added to distort their clarity and vibrancy. Pure colors are dynamic - they demand attention and are visually strong, often evoking strong emotional responses. For that reason, many people tend to use them as accents rather than in large amounts. Pure hues can be very effective in achieving special effects. They can be used to create iridescence by combining small amounts of pure colors among dark shades. Or they can create luminosity and luster in combination with hues from other scales and can also be used as highlights.

Secondary colors are obtained by mixing two primary colors in any amounts (red + yellow = orange, red + blue = purple, yellow + blue = green).

Tertiary colors are those created by using any combination of all three primary colors. They are less bright because they have been dulled by the addition of the other two colors.

Complementary colors are those that are directly opposite one another on the color wheel (red/green, yellow/purple, blue/orange). Complementary colors tend to be electric and wild and create tension.

Analogous colors are ones that are next to one another on the color wheel. They appear rich and blend to give a luxurious look.

Monochromatic color schemes include only one color or hue but tension can be created by effective use of different tonalities and values. They tend to be rich, subtle and quiet.

Tints are colors that have had white added to them to soften them. When using fiber-reactive dyes, this can be achieved by using a more dilute dye stock.

Shades are colors to which black has been added or ones which have been darkened by adding their complements. Shades can be used to create luminosity, luster and shadows.

Tones are colors that are created by graying a pure color. These can be used very effectively to create depth, luminosity, opalescence, lustrous effects and shadows. Value is the degree of lightness or darkness in a color.

References for this section are:

The Magical Effects of Color by Joen Wolfrom
Hand-Dyed Fabric Made Easy by Adriene Buffington
Dye Painting by Ann Johnston
Thread Magic - The Enchanted World of Ellen Anne Eddy

Click here for a complete list of references with publishers' addresses and contact information.

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