Acrylic/Chroma Scale - Necessity of

[Cypress11]

I know this thread may be color theory, but since i have been studying acrylics recently, I have a question for everyone... What is the importance of knowing and using the uniform chroma scale? Is it a necessity? I have a list of calculations that I got from the book "Creative Color: Faber/Birren" and it throws down theh chroma scale throughout the book. I am thinkning about using it in various ways in my art, but how pertinent is it to understanding and using color?

[DAK723]

I have never heard of the uniform chroma scale, but understanding the basic idea of chroma is definitely important. Personally, I just look at the color and try to determine if the color is too intense (or chromatic), not intense enough, or just right! Then, knowing how to adjust the chroma is the next important step! I think, in my experience, that of the three properties of color - hue, value and chroma, people actually place too much emphasis on hue and value and tend to downplay chroma. I would say that matching the hue of your reference is almost never that important, matching the value is slightly more important, but values can be simplified and rearranged in a painting, but if the chroma is wrong, then it is almost always a problem!

Don

[Dcam]

It is probably a good thing to be aware of, but if you get too analytical while you paint it can stifle your creative freedom. Learn all the tools and elements of art......keep them in mind; but on the back burner.
When you learned how to drive, at first you thought accelerate, brake, turn signal, watch speed limit, look in rear view mirror...etc.etc.etc. Then with experience, the car became an extension of your body.
I've learned more about color thru painting than any chroma or color charts, but they can be useful cognitively.

Happy painting.
derek

[chammi kaiser]

I'm with Derek on this one. I love colour and how you handle it becomes instinctive the more you paint. Don't get too bogged down with theory although a basic understanding is useful when you start out on your painting path.

[Charlie's Mum]

I've never used any kind of formula for mixing - trial and error, experience is your best bet IMHO!

Derek explains it very well

[dejaa]

I think it makes much more of a difference if your doing a lot of computer graphic design, to make the color you see on the computer as close to the real color of what you are representing.