Sketchbook Series: Collecting Colors
Color is all around us, yet sometimes we gravitate more towards some than others. This exercise encourages you to swatch it out and take a moment to consider which colors speak to you.
Collecting Colors:
Before you learn more about color theory, psychology, and harmony in the coming weeks— think about some of your favorite colors. Will you always choose the green option while shopping for clothes? Are you finding yourself constantly reaching for pink? Yellow? Black? Which colors don’t speak to you?
Using whichever medium you like, create little swatches in your sketchbook spaced apart enough to write underneath. Use colored pencils, watercolors, or ripped pieces from old magazines. On one page, create six swatches of colors you adore, and on a second page, create six swatches of colors you’re not particularly fond of. Label accordingly. I have created a mockup (above) to show you what I mean.
Underneath each swatch, spend a moment or two to jot the first things that come to mind. For example, yellow reminds me of _______. It makes me feel ________.
As you continue through life, this is a great way to collect colors that stop you in your tracks, or fine-tune what doesn’t speak to you. This can also be helpful if you ever work with an interior designer or other outsourced wisdom.
Continue this practice— you will find that it will help you craft palettes or provide jumping-off points for future projects.
FUN FACT:
When did the color orange get its name?
The color orange got its name in the early 16th century, but the story of how it got its name is quite interesting.
Before the 16th century, the color orange was referred to as "saffron," “tawny yellow” or "yellow-red." My favorite is “the color betwixt red and yellow.” The word "orange" actually comes from the fruit itself.
The word "orange" originated from the Sanskrit word "nāraṅga," which was used to refer to the orange tree. This word was borrowed into Persian as "nārang," then into Arabic as "nāranj." The word then made its way into European languages, becoming "orenge" in Old French and "orenge" in Middle English.
It wasn't until the early 16th century that the word "orange" started to be used to describe the color. The first recorded use of "orange" as a color term in English was in 1512.
Prior to this, the color was often referred to as "saffron" because of the expensive spice of the same name, which was used to create a deep orange-yellow dye. However, as oranges became more widely available in Europe, the color name shifted to reflect the fruit.
Interestingly, the color name came before the fruit name in English. The fruit was originally called "norange," which was a mispronunciation of "una naranja," meaning "an orange" in Spanish. Over time, "a norange" morphed into "an orange," and the "n" was dropped from the beginning of the word.
So, the next time you see the color orange, remember that its name has a fruity origin!
Source: On Color by David Kastan
Wait I would've loved if orange was still referred to as saffron since it's my last name (minus the second f) :')