The only colors that are not created by mixing color together are the primaries (red, blue, and yellow.) As it relates to paint color, only a true red, blue, or yellow, created with pure pigment would not have an undertone, but the vast majority of paint colors – even white – have an undertone of some kind. Though white is not technically a color, it can have an undertone when a tint is added, like the popular Swiss Coffee.
The Secret to Understanding Paint Color
Undertones are the secret code of every color. Once you crack the code, you can choose paint color with confidence. It would be perfectly reasonable to expect that your new blue paint would look just fine with white, but the green undertone in there makes it a terrible match for the pink undertone in the white paint color you chose.
Understanding Undertones and Masstones
When looking at any color, your eyes can quickly identify its masstone. This is the main aspect of a color so that when you see it, you say, “Oh, that’s blue.” The undertone is the subtle influence of one color underneath the masstone that distinguishes it from similar colors. The undertone is not always readily apparent until it is paired with other colors, or under certain lighting.
Identifying an Undertone
The quickest way to determine undertone is to compare it to a color that you know to be a true color in the same masstone. If you are trying to find the undertone for a red, then compare it next to a true red. This will give you an idea of whether your red has a more yellow or violet undertone. It’s not always easy to find a true color for comparison, so use a color wheel to be sure you have the purest color for comparison. Sampling a paint color in your home is the best way to check a color if you’re still not sure about what undertone you’re facing. Everything from floor and counter surfaces to lighting and foliage outside can bring out surprising undertones on your painted walls. If you’ve already taken the plunge and painted the walls and are battling an unwanted undertone, try replacing light bulbs and lighting before repainting. Light bulbs can be warm, cool, or natural, and can correct undertone problems quickly and inexpensively. Once you’ve decided on a few colors based on your sampling and comparison, sample them again in your home.
Difficult Undertones
Pink and green capture the title of the most difficult paint color undertones. Even the most neutral gray or beige can become green in certain settings. Green undertones aren’t always easily visible until they meet up with your cabinetry or flooring with its own undertones of yellow or orange. This is what makes the green undertones problematic. The prevalence of warm woods in our homes really sets off even the slightest green undertone. Chalk this up to basic color theory; it’s actually the blue in your paint color formula that is throwing a green cast. For warmer cabinets and flooring, try a warmer wall color or a neutral with a yellow or red undertone. Pink is another problem undertone, especially with taupe and beige. All it takes a slight prevalence of red in the neutral formula, for pink to emerge. The opposite of the green undertone problem, the pink undertone appears most often when near a green, blue, or violet color. If you’re having trouble with a pink undertone, try a neutral with a warm yellow undertone instead.
An Easy Way to Manage Paint Color Undertones
No extensive color theory instruction is needed to master paint color undertones. If you can see that the colors you’ve chosen have a green or blue undertone that doesn’t work in the room, then try warmer colors. If a yellow or pink undertone appears when you are combining colors, try a cooler color. Sometimes just making adjustments based on color temperatures are enough to tackle any undertone issues without having to overanalyze it. What can feel like an undertone issue can actually be a color temperature problem, and that is an easy color problem to solve.
