How to Mix to Match: Color, Paint, Movies Branding

Color Theory: Movie Scene Study

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There are two parts to this week’s assignment:
1. Use color properties to accurately mix paint to match a specific color.
2. Analyze the color choices designers make when producing visual content.

Before pulling out paint, first movies and food.

Visit these home pages: McDonald’s vs. Wholefoods.
Both in the food industry, each brand is selling a specific experience to a specific audience. How are they using color to communicate, to influence?

Take a look at scenes from the movies “The Matrix” and “Her”....hmmmm, Green vs. Red. Why green, why red?

Both movies address humanity’s relationship with technology. Each movie tailors color to fit the content appropriately.  Is the color subtle? or consistently obvious? How does color set a scene, create a mood, support the theme? When and how is it being used?

Remember that red ballon from “The Sixth Sense”?
What happens when red appears in a scene ?  Did red just become an tool? An anticipatory visual clue that builds suspense?  

​Terrifying.

Part 1:
Assignment: Watch Netflixs.
The article “How Color Helps a Movie Tell Its Story” is your starting point. As a guide, it will help you to begin evaluate color and film.

Come to our critique with an example of how color is functioning successfully in a movie/series of your choice. Conversely, consider movies that could have used color more successfully…..as the director, what would have you done differently?

Upload a screenshot of your movie scene to your shared folder. Include a short written response outlining your thoughts. 

PS: Wes Anderson films use color and composition like the candy eyed G of all Gs. Feast your eyes on this:

Now time for paint...how do we mix color to match? 
Refer to the Youtube demo to continue with "Part 2" of this assignment. It will be posted on Saturday 3/28. Subscribe and turn on your youtube notifications for the alert. 

This is a project I run when we are working in the studio together and our gouache paint can be supplemented if needed. You can proceed with this project by using your origami paper or your gouache paint. It is your choice. Watch the video before you decide, I will demo both. 

Part 2 Assignment: Mix to Match. 
Choose a 2D reference that has at least four colors. These are the colors you will be mixing your paint to match...or duplicating with your origami paper.  

Your reference is your choice. 
The reference can be a print ad, a print out of the movie you choose from part 1, product packaging…..etc. Avoid choosing a "family" photograph. We are looking for mass produced print material. 

Your reference has to be physical. 
Avoid a reference that is screen based. You can use an image from a screen, if printed out on paper. Your reference and your colors will be photographed side by side. Photograph your work on a white background. See the youtube vid for layout and an example. 

You must reproduce at least four (4) dominant colors per source. 
Want to challenge yourself? Evaluate more than four colors. Dimensions of your paint chips are 1.25” x 1”. 

Heads up, you will be making  a couple "tools" to complete this assignment, instructions will be in the demo. 

The obvious move is to have a link to your demo here. I cannot create a custom link to the video without 30 subscribers. Subscribe, turn on your notifications. Link up. 

​​Youtube Channel info: 
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​Suggested Due Dates:
Part 1 (Watch Netflix): Tuesday, March 31st. PLEASE UPLOAD by 12:00 pm. That way I can read your responses ahead of time. Be ready to talk about your "3" interests. We will brainstorm as a group. 

Part 2 (Color Mix to Match):  Friday, April 3rd upload by 12:00 pm
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Can’t make the due date? No worries, email me. 
Questions, post in comments.

​Curious links to scroll: 
"From Farty Red to Le Cute White, an Algorithm Generates Absurd Color Names"
"Tired of Netflix? Stream Experimental Films and Video Art"
Build 3D Paper Structures: Exercises designed by Josef Albers

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How to Photograph Your Art

Still having trouble photographing your work? Revisit the tutorial below. If you have a specific problem not covered in this video, post in our blog comments. I will give you some tips.