Choosing between the Dark & Dramatic or Light & Fresh colour scheme
When it comes to crafting your artwork, most decisions can be made at your own pace as we go along. But there's just one thing we've got to nail down before we start clicking away with our cameras: your colour scheme.
Knowing your colour scheme upfront is super important because it guides our wardrobe choices and what equipment we bring to the photography session.
While we'll have plenty of advice during our Artwork Planning session should you need it, sometimes it's nice to have all the info upfront. So, if you're the type who likes to be in the driver's seat, here’s some things to consider:
1: Whether your home is more modern or traditional
2: Colour palette
3: The emotive qualities you want your portrait to have
4: Whatever will be the easiest
1: Is your home more modern or traditional in style?
Modern:
Does your home contain lots of flat minimalist surfaces with hints of shine or industrial touches?
Traditional:
Or does your home have warm, earthy tones, and textures, perhaps with decorative elements?
When it comes to choosing your colour scheme, consider this: the Dark & Dramatic option tends to be more traditional, while Light & Fresh leans towards a modern feel.
In essence, a modern artwork matches the look of a modern home, and vice versa.
However, mixing traditional art with modern homes, or modern art with traditional homes, is entirely possible and can create an interesting contrast.
Question is, would you prefer your artwork to fit right into the existing look of your home? Or would you prefer to inject a small touch of something different? Perhaps warming up your modern home with the rustic, homely, traditional piece? Or giving your traditional home some 21st century flair?
While it's true that mixing art with different home styles can sometimes be a delicate dance, our portraits offer the best of both worlds.
With their blend of realism depicted through loose, expressive brush strokes and subtle pops of bright colour against a classic neutral backdrop, they seamlessly bridge the gap between modern and traditional aesthetics.
So, rest assured, our portraits will effortlessly complement your home, regardless of its style or the color scheme you pick!
2: Colour palette
Complementing the colours within your home
Take a look at the Light & Fresh colour scheme—it's filled with various shades of white complemented by cool, crisp pastel colours.
On the other hand, the Dark & Dramatic colour scheme boasts a rich foundation of warm tones in shades of brown, accentuated by vibrant pops of deep jewel tones.
Which of these colour schemes resonates more with the colours in your home?
The colouring of the subjects features
Just like how we have certain colours that look better on us in clothing, the same goes for selecting the colour scheme for your portraits.
In reality, some colours might suit us better due to factors like skin tone or feature contrast. However, in a painted portrait, the artist can adjust these elements to make any colour look flattering.
Ultimately, what matters most in a painted portrait is the overall balance, composition, and contrast of the piece as a whole.
When choosing your color scheme, one key consideration is the colour of the portrait subject's hair.
Hair plays a crucial role in framing the subject and providing separation from the background, helping them to stand out. If the hair color closely matches the background, it can result in a lack of contrast, making the image appear flat and lacking focus.
For instance, blonde hair against the light background in the Light & Fresh colour scheme, or brown hair against the brown background in the Dark & Dramatic colour scheme may diminish contrast.
However, if the subject has dark eyes, eyebrows, freckles, or wears dramatic makeup, matching the hair and background colours could emphasize these features and make them the focal point.
3: The emotive qualities you want your portrait to have
As mentioned earlier, the Dark & Dramatic colour scheme adds a touch of traditionalism, while the Light & Fresh scheme brings a modern flair.
But there's more to it than just style differences.
Colour also influences mood.
The Dark & Dramatic scheme, with its warm dark tones and vibrant pops of colour, evokes the following associations:
mysteriousness, stoicism, strength, boldness, quietly intense, dignified, grounded, forthright, heroic, steadfast, contemplative, determined, proud, refined, reverent, stability, formal, intellectual.
The Light & Fresh colour scheme, featuring light crisp tones with subtle pops of bright pastel colour, evokes the following associations:
imagination, carefree, spontaneity, whimsical, lighthearted, playful, enthusiastic, gentle, energised, personable, positivity, freedom, agreeable, warmth, silly, relaxed, casual, sensitive, upbeat.
Which mood would you like to inject into your home?
Based on the list of moods associated with each colour scheme, is there one that jumps out at you more with the ambiance you'd like to create in your space?
The personality of the subject/s in the portrait
While both colour schemes offer distinct vibes that can add personality to your home, it's worth considering how each scheme also conveys the personality traits of the portrait subject or the dynamics between the individuals in the portrait.
For example, if your subject is shy, affectionate, and imaginative, the Light & Fresh colour palette might better capture their personality. On the other hand, if your subject is direct, orderly, and possesses a clever wit, the Dark & Dramatic colour scheme may be a more fitting choice.
When creating a group portrait, the chosen color scheme can communicate the collective spirit among the individuals portrayed. Similarly, if the portrait is intended as a gift, it can reflect the unique relationships each person has with the recipient.
For example, if the portrait is honoring a grandfather known for his reliability and stability, especially during tough times, opting for the Dark & Dramatic colour scheme might resonate well, capturing his role as “the rock” within the family.
Now, If you find yourself scratching your head thinking… wait a minute, the person I want to portray has such a diverse range of personality traits that don't neatly fit into just one colour-camp…
Then check out our article on choosing what personality traits to focus on for portraits. It's a helpful guide for navigating this process: here
4: If you just want to keep everything simple…
If you're planning a group portrait with a few people and want to keep things simple, just base your color scheme choice on what colors everyone has in their wardrobe. If dark shirts dominate, opt for the Dark & Dramatic colour scheme. If light-colored shirts prevail, go for the Light & Fresh colour scheme. Easy peasy!
If choosing the color scheme feels like a chore, fear not! If you're happy either way or just can't decide, leave it to us. We'd be thrilled to surprise you with the perfect choice!
Still not sure?
If you're torn between the Dark & Dramatic and Light & Fresh colour schemes, let's play out a couple of scenarios.
Scenario 1: Let’s say your home vibes with the Dark & Dramatic scheme, but your subject exudes whimsy and creativity, which aligns better with the Light & Fresh palette. Which direction should you go?
Here’s 2 approaches:
1: If you opt for the Dark & Dramatic colour scheme, we can infuse artistic elements and storytelling to capture their whimsical side. We might incorporate vibrant accent colors more liberally, painting strokes with spontaneity and depth, while capturing an expression that hints at a burst of creative insight.
2: On the other hand, with the Light & Fresh colour scheme, we can match accent colors in the artwork with the tones found in your space—be it the hues of your furnishings, the patterns on your textiles, or even the natural greens and blues outside your window. We could even adjust their hair color to complement the warmth of your wooden floors.
Scenario 2: You absolutely love the Light & Fresh colour scheme, no doubt about it. But the person you want to capture has light blonde hair and fair features across the board.
Moreover, while your living space is mostly light and bright, it's punctuated by stark contrasting elements like black leather couches, dark curtains, and deep wooden tables. Given this, can you still achieve the portrait you've got your heart set on without it getting lost in the noise?
You absolutely can, here’s how:
1: If your subject has long hair, we can style it down so that it falls alongside their face, naturally creating contrasting shadows that outline the shape of their face.
2: Alternatively, during the photoshoot, we can play with lighting to cast deep shadows on one side of their face, adding contrast and depth to the portrait. Both approaches can help ensure that your portrait stands out, even amidst contrasting elements in your space.
Consider what’s most important
Colour is indeed crucial, but it's just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to creating your artwork. Within each colour scheme, there's a range of tones and accents to choose from, allowing us to tailor the portrait to your preferences. Additionally, we use various artistic techniques, including styling, lighting, body language, facial expressions, and brushwork, to capture the essence of the subject and bring your artistic vision to reality. So while color sets the tone, it's the combination of these elements that truly brings the portrait to life.
If you're unsure which path to take, think about your top priority. Is it essential that the artwork blends seamlessly with your decor? Are you aiming to create a particular atmosphere in your space? Or do you want the portrait to truly capture the essence of the subject's personality?
The rest we can work out another way!