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What is a monochromatic scheme


What is a Monochromatic Color Scheme — Definition, Examples

Monochromatic Definition

Define monochromatic color scheme

A monochromatic color scheme can make for an exceptionally stylish look when applied to a film or a television show. When we think "colorful" imagery, we probably image many different colors. But there is plenty of variety within a single hue that can make equally dynamic and colorful images.

To learn more about the different types of color schemes at your disposal as a filmmaker, be sure to read our articles on complementary, analogous, and triadic color schemes as well.

MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEME DEFINITION

What is a monochromatic color scheme?

A monochromatic color scheme is a color palette in which a single color tint is used as the basis for all shades and hues found within the image. The shade of color is varied by changes made to the saturation and/or brightness of the base color. White and black are always present as the two extremes on either end of the spectrum for whichever color is chosen for the monochromatic color scheme.

Monochromatic Scheme Characteristics

For the full explanation of color schemes and color theory, download our FREE ebook: How to Use Color in Film.

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Hue, saturation, brightness — the three elements of color that make all the difference. In this book, we'll explain the aesthetic qualities and psychology effects of using color in your images. Topics include color schemes like analogous and triadic colors and how color palettes can tell stories of their own.

Example of a monochromatic color scheme

What does a monochromatic color scheme look like?

Monochromatic color combinations can create a unified look for a piece of work. There is no limitation as far as choosing which color to build your monochromatic color scheme around. Any tint can be chosen as the base color for your color scheme, with its associated shades filling out the rest of your monochromatic colors.

All black and white films fall into the monochromatic category. Black and white are present at the extremes of each and every color, meaning solid black and white can be included in a monochromatic scheme built around any color. The various shades between black and white in the absence of other colors make up the grayscale look that black and white films employ.

Monochromatic color combinations begin with black and white

The word “monochromatic” derives from the root words “mono,” meaning one, and “chroma,” meaning color. It is important to keep in mind that while a monochromatic color scheme is built entirely around a single color, that does not mean that it is built around a single shade.

Varying the shades through changes to the brightness and saturation of the base color is key in providing an image with depth and visual appeal.

An example of a monochromatic color scheme in The Matrix

The Matrix is built around a monochromatic color scheme with green as the focus color, but you can find a great deal of variance within the values of green found in each frame.

The following video showcases a number of film color schemes and underscores the unifying characteristics of a monochromatic approach.

What are monochromatic colors?  •  Color psychology in film

Color has a massive impact on the way in which viewers perceive any given image. The impact can be aesthetic in nature but can often be a subconscious, psychological effect as well.

What are monochromatic colors?

Why use a mono color scheme?

The psychology of color can hold significant influence over the response to an image. Certain colors can evoke particular subconscious reactions when utilized properly. To understand this subconscious relationship and learn how to make the best use of these psychological effects in storytelling, we need an understanding of color theory.

A Ted Talk on the psychology of color

When utilizing colors for their psychological effects, a filmmaker can determine their own color associations as established within the film, or they can rely on the pre-established associations for particular colors. Whether you realize it or not, certain colors evoke certain psychological responses in the human brain at a subconscious level.

These pre-determined associations have been re-inforced throughout generations of storytelling for both the subconscious associations and for the thematic relevance. Refer to the helpful chart below for some of the most common responses associated with particular colors.

What are monochromatic colors?  •  The psychology of color visualized

The limits of color in storytelling are boundless. It is true that there are plenty of films that disregard color as a creative choice. Or they opt instead for a color scheme that purely represents our real-world and nothing more. There are also countless examples of excellent films which make color a key element of their overall style and meaning. This tribute to color in storytelling showcases the power of meaningful color scheme choices.

Consider the work of an auteur director like Wes Anderson. He uses color in a very interesting way — to balance sad characters and dark subjects with bright and saturated color palettes. For more, check out our video on this theory.

Our guide to the colors of Wes Anderson  •  Subscribe on YouTube

Be sure to pay color the attention it deserves when making your own movies. Our script breakdown software is a great tool for identifying all of the production design elements in a screenplay that can be geared toward a meaningful color scheme. You can get started for free today.

Monochromatic color scheme examples

Monochromatic color scheme examples

Now that we have a clear understanding of the what and why of monochromatic color schemes, let’s take a look at a few monochromatic color scheme examples in action in movies and TV shows.

As we saw earlier, Wes Anderson is a master of color palettes, and nowhere has he better utilized the monochromatic color scheme than in his 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel. For further analysis, check out our article on the color palettes of Wes Anderson.

Wes Anderson is a color palette master  •  What are monochromatic colors?

Denis Villeneuve is another modern master of the color palette. We have a full post all about how Denis Villeneuve crafts the color palettes of his films that you can check out for a more detailed breakdown of his color usage.

Villeneuve has covered the gamut of color schemes from bright and saturated in Blade Runner 2049 to grim and desaturated in Prisoners. But his most psychologically driven monochromatic color palette can be found in his 2014 thriller Enemy. The bold yellow color scheme of Enemy is a key part of the enveloping sense of dread Villeneuve crafted for the film.

A monochromatic color scheme contributes to the sense of dread

Zhang Yimou’s 2018 action, drama The Shadow features stunning cinematography with a bold black-and-white monochromatic color scheme despite not actually being shot in black and white. The Shadow is shot and presented in color but every single location, set, wardrobe choice, and production design element was carefully designed to match the black and white aesthetic of yin and yang.

See how the monochromatic color scheme of The Shadow was pulled off in the collection made using StudioBinder's storyboard creator below.

The Shadow’s gorgeous black and white style  •  See the full collection

Hero was another Zhang Yimou film that pushed the limits of a monochromatic color scheme to new heights. The film made use of multiple mono color schemes throughout its runtime, progressing through each color palette in accordance with the progression of the different chapters of the story. Each section of the film is assigned a specific monochromatic color scheme to best represent the themes and perspective of that specific segment.

Hero’s color segments

Another Netflix original series to feature a striking monochromatic color scheme is Ozark. Anyone who has seen Ozark instantly associates the show with the color blue. Everything, including the green foliage of the environment and the skin tones of the actors, is tinted blue.

Ozark is washed in blue

There are truly no limits when it comes to using color in bold and creative ways. Explore the thematic and psychological effects of color in your own film projects, and continue learning about color theory with the rest of our articles on color schemes.

UP NEXT

What is an Analogous Color Scheme?

Now that you can answer the question “what is a monochromatic color scheme,” continue your color education with our article all about analogous color schemes. A knowledge of both monochromatic and analogous color schemes is essential for any type of visual artist.

Up Next: Analogous Color Schemes →

Learn More About Monochromatic Color Schemes

By

Coral Nafie

Coral Nafie

Coral Nafie is an interior design expert with over 25 years of home decorating experience. She has authored the book "The About.com Guide to Home Decorating." Her expertise covers every aspect of home decor projects, including budget makeovers and extensive renovations.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 09/15/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Picking colors for an interior design project can be overwhelming. Anyone who has visited a home improvement store or paint retailer can attest that the color options are seemingly endless. But there is an option to make the choice simpler: Design your room around a monochromatic color palette. Doing so is an incredibly easy way to bring a touch of elegance to your interior.

What Is a Monochromatic Color Scheme?

A monochromatic color scheme means a single color forms the foundation of the room's color design. While various shades and tones of that color can accent the space, there are no other colors present. Many rooms in old European castles (and even in the White House) have monochromatic color schemes.

Essentially, a monochromatic color scheme is when any single hue forms the base of the scheme, and all other colors are derivatives of that hue. White is usually considered an acceptable (and desirable) color in all monochromatic schemes, as it is essentially the very lightest version of any and all colors. It is common, for example, to use white trim or white accessories in a room that's designed with a monochromatic scheme. 

Fun Fact

The first floor of the White House features three monochromatic entertaining spaces: the Red Room, the Green Room, and the Blue Room. At a state dinner, guests enjoy refreshments and mingling in these parlors before the grand entrance of the president and the visiting head of state.

Create a Monochromatic Color Scheme

Begin by picking a base color. It will be the color that dominates the room's decor plan, and it may be the principle color on the walls. The next step is to pick lighter and darker variations of that color as options. These variations may be used on accent walls, on trim, or in accessories and accents within the room. At paint stores, you often will find color samples that give a selection of color variations built around different base colors. 

Experts recommend picking at least two options off the base color—one lighter and one darker. As is true of any color scheme, you’ll need to determine where and how each variation will be used in the overall design. It's important to make sure your colors are different enough to provide some contrast. Colors that are too close can create a muddy, imprecise feeling in your room design.  

Terminology: Shades, Tints, and Tones

As you research how to create your color scheme, it's important to have an understanding of several common terms. Here are the definitions you need to know:

Advantages of a Monochromatic Scheme

Monochromatic color schemes have several virtues that make them worth considering in design. Benefits of monotone color schemes include:

Breaking the Rules?

Strict adherence to the rules would dictate that all colors be within the monochromatic scheme with no exceptions. However, many designers like to carefully break the rules.

In some instances, for example, an accent color that strongly contrasts with the base color can actually highlight the effectiveness of the overall design. Especially in white or black monochrome designs, the use of a single contrasting color can be very effective. However, make sure to use extra color sparingly and with deliberate intention.

What are Monochromatic Colors? Definition & Examples

You can say: well, your favorite color reminds you of your favorite place or makes you feel warm/inspired/happy.

Are there any colors that you don't like too well? Maybe yellow seems too acidic to you, and blue seems too cold and melancholy. The thing is, colors have a value of and most of us have one color that really speaks to our soul.

via GIPHY

This one color is often repeated in the products we buy, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the way we decorate our rooms.

Colors can be combined in a huge number of combinations - using primary colors together (red + blue + yellow) or matching complementary colors with each other (e.g. green + red) .

You can also use similar colors together in the so-called similar to the color scheme (green + blue - green + blue) .

You can also use just one color in a design and this is called a monochromatic color scheme.

A monochromatic color scheme is a single color palette that includes dark hues or tones and a range of hues. Using this base color scheme makes a bold statement in any design, photography, interior or other visual scene..

Adding a strong color can evoke a lot of emotions in the viewer or app user.

Creating an image in one particular shade can be used to communicate a message or create a strong sense of order and uniformity.

What's in this article:

What are Monochromatic Colors? 🎨

Let's first define what we mean by "monochromatic".

"Monochromatic" is an adjective used to describe the use of one color - monos is Greek for "single" or "one" and khroma is "color".

So if you describe a painting or setting as having a monochromatic color scheme, you mean that it has one shade (or color) repeated in lighter shades, darker shades and/or grayer tones.

To understand how this works, let's delve into color theory .

What is Color Theory?

Modern color theory was born when Sir Isaac Newton published his various experiments with optical prisms and the discovery that white light exists from the seven visible colors of the rainbow, or the ROYGBIV model.

via GIPHY

Newton is also the inventor of the color wheel we use so much in art and design.

In the ancient world, Aristotle also shared his color theory : that all colors are rays of light sent from heaven in white or black and associated with the four elements (wind, earth, water, fire).

Today we know that Aristotle was not so far from the truth, as Newton's optical experiments with white light proved. However, scientifically speaking,0005 color is light, propagating at different wavelengths.

The reason we see different colors of light is because these wavelengths are in the visible spectrum (our eyes are sensitive to and stimulated by light at these wavelengths).

Each individual color is subdivided into a range of wavelengths and is called a hue, or monochromatic light.

Properties of Light

Color theory does not end there. The polymath Johann Wolfgang von Goethe carried out his own research on color, going beyond the purely scientific ideas of Newton. Goethe argued that color is not just a physical phenomenon; it is an individualized psychological and emotional experience .

Today, the study of the influence of colors on human experience and behavior is called color psychology.

Goethe's poetic interpretations of each color are still used today to help artists express emotion in their work, help website and app designers create visual cues, and inspire interior designers when select color schemes for homes and offices.

via GIPHY

Moreover, The emotional and psychological impact of color affects every aspect of life - from the clothes we wear to the food we eat and the things we buy.

Goethe associated colors with certain characteristics, namely:

GOOTHES COLERS) via Open Culture

The Cultural Relativity of Color

Although we are all basically able to perceive color in the same way, the interpretation of color is not universal.

Several studies of color names around the world have shown that certain cultural groups do not have generalized or abstract terms for specific colors.

In non-manufacturing regions (places where goods are not mass-produced) where you don't often see the same item in different colors (e.g. red T-shirt vs. blue T-shirt), colors have more than integral value, related with their application, context and the natural world.

For example, the inhabitants of the village of Kandoshi in Peru called a ripe fruit red if it lay on a ceramic surface, and if it was on the floor, then the word "blood".

Some cultures use the same word for green and blue . The Himba people of Namibia are very easy to distinguish between two different shades of green, but it is difficult to tell blue from green.

When the same study was repeated with the British, the opposite was found: it was difficult to distinguish lighter green from darker, but it was easy to point out difference between blue and green .

The Kandoshi people say " kawabana" for any color between green and purple, but use " kamachpa" for dark green.

Kamachpa is the word the kandoshi use to refer to unripe fruit, in other words the meaning of dark green color is interpreted according to something natural, seasonal and appropriate to their specific context .

In some languages ​​of Africa and Oceania, colors are described as "dark" and "light" , or by their texture, feel, or specific purpose.

In Europe there was no word for the orange color until the sweet orange fruit was introduced and popularized in the Middle Ages - before that Europeans spoke of "yellow-red" to describe the color!

There are also exceptions to how colors are perceived biologically.

People with color vision deficiency (colour blindness), do not have the full set of cones in the retina to be able to see all the colors that most people see. This applies to approximately 4% of the world's population.

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Color blindness types simulation. the bottle contains ketchup or mustard.

They learn to recognize subtleties in a limited spectrum, which they can perceive as different colors.

Another biological phenomenon that alters the perception of colors is synaesthesia.

Synesthesia is a condition with various manifestations, in which a person's sense organs are mixed, or rather, neural pathways, through which sensations are interpreted. In other words, a synesthete can hear colors, taste smells, feel sounds - or any combination of the senses.

The way synesthetes perceive the color is very different from those who do not suffer from this disease, so it makes sense that the colors would mean something completely different to them!

As you can see, the interpretation of color is both socio-cultural and biological, and can change over time. For example, today we use red and yellow to represent danger and warning, or error and urgency.

Red can also be associated with love, lust or bloodshed. In reality, it all comes down to the fact that we0005 are emotionally responsive to colors , and colors are used in design elements to draw attention and draw the eye.

We'll look at how to select and apply a monochrome color scheme later in this article!

Color Properties

In addition to the theories of color and cultural interpretations of color that we have already discussed, we talk about color as having certain properties. Color properties are especially useful for art and graphic design, where we need to be able to distinguish between an almost infinite range of colors.

These three properties help us describe colors: hue, chroma (or saturation) and value (or lightness) .

  1. Hue: name of a wavelength range or color family, eg blue, red, yellow. When applied to paint color, this also means the pure form or natural pigment of the color.
  2. Chroma (saturation): the degree of brightness or dullness of a color depending on the amount of gray added to it (hue). A heavily saturated color will have a pure hue, while a desaturated color will have a gray tone.
  3. Value (brightness): The degree of lightness or darkness of a color depending on the amount of white (tint) or black (shadow) added to it. A lightened color will look washed out, while a darkened one will look black.

So far we have learned about what colors are, how we perceive them and how they can be described. We will now look at a few examples of monochromatic colors and their variations.

Monochromatic Color Examples ✅

First of all, it is important to note that a monochromatic color scheme uses only one color, with variations in chromaticity (saturation) and/or value (brightness).

In other words, if you choose a secondary color, such as green, as your base color, adding yellow-green and blue-green variations will not be monochromatic, as this will change the hue. Look at the example below:

In this color palette, the "PMS 354" center block can be seen as a pure shade. See how the greens are getting more yellow at the bottom of the grid and more blue at the top?

This shows the change in hue when other colors are added (in this case the two primary colors that make up green - blue and yellow).

However, if you look again at "PMS 354" in the center and follow the blocks horizontally, you will see that the variations are monochromatic - in other words, the hue does not change, but the color becomes lighter on the left (hue) and darker on the right ( shadow).

To understand the subtle differences between these color options at monochrome scale , especially in digital design, you can use graphic design tools to manipulate your chosen base color.

In the following examples, I have chosen fuchsia as the base color.

Random fact: fuchsia and magenta are exactly the same colors!

The hex code for fuchsia is #FF00FF, or (255, 0, 255) in RGB.

Hexadecimal codes are values ​​assigned to colors used for websites and other code-based applications; RGB stands for 'Red, Green, Blue' and is the primary colors of light .

Do you remember Newton's conclusions about white light? When you mix all three primary colors of light together, you get white.

Each color in RGB has a maximum value of 255, which means its pure hue. In other words, the RGB value for white is (255, 255, 255). The reverse is also true: in the absence of colors, there is no light, so RGB(0, 0, 0) equals black.

Fuchsia is a combination of pure red (255), no green (0) and pure blue (255).

Since we are working with light emitting devices such as computers and mobile phones, we need to think in these terms and meanings when selecting and manipulating colors for monochromatic design schemes.

Now let's look at how to create tone, shade and tone. 🧐

  • Create Hue
  • Create Shadow
  • Create Tone

Create Hue

Using Google's color picker tool, we'll start with an RGB value for pure fuchsia (255, 0, 255).

As you move the color picker from top right to left, you will notice that is lighter than - we are moving through the range of solid fuchsia shades.

See how the red (255) and blue (255) values ​​stay the same, but the green value increases with each lighter hue. This is because the more green you mix into fuchsia, the closer it is to white light (255, 255, 255).

Creating a Shadow

Let's do the same exercise with pure fuchsia, but move the color device from top to bottom to see the different shades.

Notice that fuchsia gets darker than as the values ​​for red and blue decrease. The value for green remains (0), in other words, the closer the red and blue values ​​are to (0), the more black the color becomes.

Tone Creation

Tone Creation means that the color will become more and more grey, or desaturated. We get gray by mixing black and white, so it makes sense that we would move the color device diagonally from right to left.

Notice how the fuchsia becomes not only darker but also less saturated - this is because the red and blue values ​​decrease, and the green values ​​increase.

In other words, fuchsia becomes both and whiter and blacker at the same time.

Something strange also happens: as soon as you pass the center of the color picker, the value for Green starts decreasing again to measure approximation to black (0, 0, 0).

👉🏼 Try this exercise with your favorite color using the digital graphic design tool or the Google color picker tool.

How to Use Monochromatic Colors 🖌️

The digital color matching exercise we just completed helped us understand how monochrome colors work, and will also help in choosing color variations for your monochrome design project.

Let's look at a few ways to use the monochromatic color palette.

  • Choosing a Monochromatic Palette
  • How to Create Contrast in Monochromatic Design
  • Using Gradients

Choosing a Monochromatic Palette

How do these solid colors look together? Do they convey the feeling you want to convey?

1. Choose a Base Color That's Suitable for Its Application

You want to make sure that the shade you start with is really the right one for your project.

We have already discussed that colors are perceived differently depending on the socio-cultural context, so when choosing a base color, you need to consider who your audience is.

Here are some common color connotations:

💙 Blue is considered a calm, masculine color in Western societies, but in China it is a feminine color. In India, blue is associated with the deity Krishna, and in many other cultures around the world, blue is used for religious purposes. Blue is considered a "safe" color for most design applications.

💚 Green may be a calm, natural color for you, but it also means adultery (China) or death (South America). Olive greens are also almost universally associated with the military, so this is another interpretation you should consider!

💛 Yellow is mostly known as happy, masculine, imperial, but in some cultures of Latin America and the Middle East it is used to represent death.

🧡 Orange is associated with the spice saffron and is a sacred color in India. As the national color of the Netherlands, it symbolizes patriotism and royalty. In the US, orange is associated with autumn and Halloween.

❤️ Red The color is used for many gaudy Christmas decorations, but it makes perfect sense as it most often means joy, success, excitement and happiness. In India, brides wear red on their wedding day as a symbol of good luck and long life. In China, red is the color used to celebrate the New Year. However, in some countries in the Middle East, red is the color of evil.

💗 Pink , a shade of red, signifies trust in Korea. Today it is considered a positive, feminine color in most Western societies and was used in Swiss prison cells in an attempt to keep prisoners calm and positive. Pink is also a traditional color for architectural exteriors in many parts of the world such as Latin America and South Africa.

💜 Purple color in many countries means nobility, honor, wealth and progress, but in Thailand it is worn by widows. Purple also signifies mourning in some Latin and South American countries. In Buddhism, this color is sacred and is worn by high-ranking monks.

2. Test the Monochromatic Base Color Scale

If you want to create a sense of unity in your color choice, you should do some trial monochromatic variations of your base color.

This may take a while, but it's worth it if you want to create a visually pleasing monochromatic image! You can repeat the color selection exercise we did earlier in this article using your digital design tool.

You can also use another image to search for colors. Simply find an image you like or a photo you would like to recreate as an illustration.

Use design software to set the image tint to (make everything one color), to help you see the image in monochromatic colors.

Then use the color picker to select the solid colors you want to use in your design.

3. Decide How Many Variations You Want To Use And Stick With Them Throughout Your Design

First try to create 2 variations of the selected color and then apply them to a test image - or apply them directly to your project.

Then add one or two more variations of if needed . You should stick to 3 - 7 color options. Remember - the secret to a great monochrome color palette is simplicity.

It's a good idea not to use too many different variations of the same color in a monochrome project.

First of all , if you fill your color palette with many similar custom colors, you can get confused about which colors you use in which areas of your design.

Second , it's especially important to limit the scope of the color palette if you're creating symmetrical, patterned designs and need to maintain a consistent look.

Another trick that will help you distinguish monochrome colors in the digital color palette is to name each of the custom colors set for your project and save the color palette.

This will make it easier for you to go back to project (especially when working on multiple deadlines!) without getting confused about which colors you used.

This will also allow you to reuse the monochrome palette or parts of it in other projects. As your career in graphic design progresses, you will create specific color palettes that will give your work a special style or highlight .

Creating a Monochromatic Color Palette Using Hues, Tones, and Tones

How to Create Contrast in Monochromatic Design

Using a monochromatic scheme has the benefit of making it easier to find colors for your palette, and you can be sure they will work together as they all work together. one shade !

Be careful not to choose too close shadows, tones and shades of your color with slight differences in chroma and value - when using monochromatic colors you need to rely on saturation and brightness to create contrast in your image.

  • Try placing a light and dark shade next to each other to create a sharp contrast without using a bright color.
  • You can use strong, sharp-edged shapes to further demarcate the color blocks.
  • Use a lighter or duller tone for background .
  • If you want a softer look , you can choose solid colors that are very close to each other. This will give your design less contrast and variations will blend into the design.

Using Gradients

Adding a monochromatic gradient to a design or background can be a really simple and elegant way to style an image or design element and create some interest.

A gradient is a smooth transition between colors by blending them gradually at different points.

Gradients can be linear or follow the algorithm - usually this option can be selected in a digital design program. What's more, you can choose the direction of the gradient, as well as add more than one hue, tone, or tone at different points.

This means you can create super dynamic and interesting gradients using monochromatic colors that will add interest to your image or create a 3D, abstract effect.

Gradients can be applied to shapes or backgrounds and tend to go in and out of fashion depending on design trends at the time.

This is especially true for graphic and web design - so be sure to keep up with fashion trends to keep your designs fresh!

Monochromatic Style Use Cases

If you want to do a monochromatic design or are just looking for fresh ways to use one color in a room or wardrobe, it's worth looking at what other people are doing for inspiration.

We have listed many designs and details below to help you get ideas!

  • Painting
  • Sculpture
  • Photo
  • Street art
  • Graphic design
  • packaging design
  • Social media
  • UX/Web design
  • Model
  • Model Raz0047 Tattoo Designs

Painting

Painting using just one color can create an overall sense of unity in visually striking images. See how the artist of this painting used monochrome blue to create depth and interest in his artwork?

The use of a very dark shade of blue in the foreground combined with a very light shade of blue in the background creates the perspective of a light source directly behind the subject in the center of the work.

The artist would add white paint or diluted blue paint to create shades, and black paint to create shadows.

Sculpture

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Classical and modern sculptures tend to be monochrome, especially if they are made of the same material (e.g. marble or clay) or painted in one color.

Since the sculptures are three-dimensional, you will see darker and lighter shades of the color of the material depending on which how the light falls on the sculpture and where the shadows are formed.

This inflatable sculpture by artist GoldenDean is made of a glittery gold colored material, but we can see many single color variations depending on the lighting.

Photography

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A post shared by Chloe Obermeyer (@create_with_cleo)

0005 achromatic - these photographs contain no hue at all (lack of color) and consist only of tones and hues.

However, some photographic processes produce monochrome images with intense color.

Cyanotyping is a traditional photographic process in which chemicals are applied by hand to archival paper or other materials, and a "positive" (the image to be reproduced) is placed on top, after which the paper is exposed to ultraviolet light.

This process produces stunning blue monochromatic images.

Street Art

Graffiti artists know how to work with color! This mural was painted in Setúbal, Portugal and depicts a bird figure composed of many intricate shapes different tones and shades of red. large selection of monochromatic colors.

Graphic Design

In monochromatic design, as we showed above, you take a base color and create a series of tones and/or shades and/or shades to create a monochrome image without using a secondary color .

Using a digital design tool makes this particularly easy, as the software allows the to manipulate the colors of the image, add tint to the background, change the hue, brightness, and saturation of the design, and use the color picker to create a palette.

You can add interest to your design by adding various elements such as patterns, shapes, other images (as in the design above where black and white photos have been added) and text .

Packaging Design

The use of a single color is nothing new in packaging design. In fact, as the printing process evolves and more and more products compete for attention on store shelves, the packaging becomes more complex and colorful.

The problem is that the more complex the packaging, the more resources it takes to produce it, and the more difficult it is to recycle or reuse . In this sense, product packaging is generally not very sustainable and presents a huge problem in terms of wastage and costs.

So it makes sense that more designers and companies are looking for more sustainable and cost-effective ways to produce great packaging.

Monochromatic packaging has become a significant trend as more brands focus on the quality of their products and care about the environment .

One designer, Jonna Breitenhuber, took soap on a string to the next level by creating eco-friendly plastic-free bottles from soap.

These designs are minimal, with molded lettering to identify the product. It's a really bold statement about 's simplicity, 's "naturalness" (not plastic) and that we should buy products for their function, not flashy packaging.

Social Media

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Monochrome design can be used to achieve your communication goals.

Using the same color in the foreground in combination with a white background will draw the attention of the viewer or reader to the particular message you are trying to convey.

In this image of , the color choice for was carefully made by matching the light green of the T-shirt to the dark green of the evacuation sign.

UX/Web Design

Image Source: Very Peri

Colors make a huge difference to User Experience (UX) design , especially when creating online tools and websites.

The Very Peri website was created to showcase Pantone's 2022 Color of the Year.

Below you can see an animated view of one of the experiences built into the site where you can use the slider to move through different shades of Very Peri color.

It is very interesting to think that it is possible "draw" with code 🖌️

Image Source: Very Peri

Interior Design

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A post by Lisa Pollock (@sharedlisaspollock)

Monochrome color schemes are often used in interiors. You can choose a color that expresses a certain trait of you or your family, or is your favorite color that evokes certain feelings or brings back special memories.

Often the choice of color for interior design depends on what is in is currently fashionable in the market .

Monochromatic spaces are in trend now. You can style the interior with using neutral color variations, to create a neat, spacious and uniform look. The example above shows a room decorated in monochromatic style with variations of neutral beige.

The reason why this interior composition works really well is that the designer combined different textures of of the same shade. Have you noticed how the sharp contrast of dark and light in the marble pattern of the arch is repeated in the geometric patterns on the loose carpets?

The chairs follow the same beige hue as the walls, contrasting with the light-coloured drapes and window frames.

Another great technique used by the designer is combination of glossy and matte surfaces . Matte tiles, fabrics, vases and wood offset the gleaming marble, kitchen surfaces and light fixtures.

Overall, the combination of soft and hard, matte and glossy, freeform and geometric is what makes the neutral monochromatic color scheme so harmonious in this interior.

Fashion

The use of monochromatic colors in fashion creates a timeless look . Fashion house Avenue Calgary created a monochrome ensemble using variations of peach (orange-pink).

Note that the model's handbag is the darkest, the sweater is a lighter shade, the coat is a lighter shade than the sweater, and finally the color of the pants looks almost washed out against the light peach color of the background.

This outfit works well because it complements the model's fair skin tone and hair. The choice of a solid color outfit really makes the a bold statement and emphasizes the wearer's sense of individuality and style.

Retail

The trend of monochromatic design has also influenced the design of stores.

While traditional shop decor is usually rather dull and dull , a monochromatic color scheme can be used to brighten up a store without detracting from the product/service being sold.

On the other hand, retail stores are usually crammed with advertisements and various colors and cut-outs that require the customer's attention. In this sense, a monochromatic color scheme can be used to simplify the store layout of and create a sense of sophistication for .

See how this boutique tastefully uses the same same color throughout the décor to effectively "brand" the store and create a unique experience without distracting from the clothes on display.

Tattoo Designs

Although black is the most popular tattoo ink color, monochromatic colored tattoos are also extremely popular.

Red ink tattoos are gaining popularity as this tattoo ink color has more durability on the skin. It also gives the wearer a unique tattoo design without the black borders that are most commonly seen in colored tattoos.

Since ancient times, non-permanent henna tattoos have shown exquisite ways to decorate your body with monochromatic patterns (without having to stick to one pattern for the rest of your life).

Wrapping Up 📝

You should now have a pretty good understanding of what monochromatic colors are, how to create a color palette for your creative work, and the various ways to apply it.

Choosing one color for your creative work is a bold move, but done right it can really make your design stand out.

If you're looking for ways to use a particular color to convey a particular message or feel to the viewer or user, a monochromatic color scheme can help you.

Remember that the secret to any good monochrome a design lies in carefully choosing the right shade for its application, as well as creating a selection of shades, tones and/or tones that will create a visually appealing and meaningful composition.

Consider your audience, their special tastes and interpretations of colors to create designs that match their socio-cultural experience.

Color Schemes

Monochrome color scheme is based on several shades of the same color with varying degrees of black and white. These color combinations help to create a serene, elegant and harmonious environment, as well as a more uniform look to any space. Since the simplicity of this color combination creates a sense of calm, we recommend using it in areas such as the bedroom, bathroom, dressing room and hallway.

To get a monochrome color scheme, simply select your base color or shade and then select other colors from the same color family or stripe. You can then enhance your home decor by arranging furniture and accessories in a similar color or by playing with materials and textures.

CONTRASTING COLORS

Also known as "complementary" colors, contrasting colors lie directly opposite each other on the color wheel, creating visually striking settings when combined. Used to create a dynamic and joyful environment, these contrasting and complementary colors form a vibrant and invigorating color palette.

You can use them to decorate common rooms such as living rooms, kitchens, hallways or children's playrooms. You can create multiple schemes using any contrasting color combination. By choosing colors that lie directly opposite each other on the color wheel, the best of each color is brought to life and your space is filled with vibrant vibes.

ANALOGUE COLORS

Similar colors have a common base color and lie next to each other on the color wheel. This harmonious combination produces a more soothing effect than a contrasting color scheme and a richer feel than a monochromatic color scheme. Because this scheme uses similar colors next to each other on the color wheel, they give your rooms a natural sense of harmony. By adding accessories, fabric and artwork, you create the perfect setting.

Similar colors are often applied to rooms that adjoin each other to create a flow of color from one room to another - for example, from the living room to the dining room, from the hallway to the office, and from the bedroom to the room.

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