The Law of Chromatic Distribution

When I confide in my friends that I have broken the Law of Chromatic Distribution, they break out in laughter, assuming I am feigning erudition. But no! I am referring to a real law that exists in the realm of color theory. As with all other natural laws whether it is gravity or the law of attraction, this is one force to be reckoned with!

I first was taught about the Law of Chromatic Distribution back in design school in 1992 by two master colorists, Beverly Thome and Jill Pillaroscia of Colour Studio. But I didn’t really learn it until I broke the law myself. Busted! I used too much chroma or in other words, saturated color on too large of an area.

Chroma or saturation is the purity of the hue. The Law of Chromatic Distribution simply means that if you are to cover a large area, the color must be diluted by either one of four ways so as not to achieve disastrous effects – adding white to the mixture, adding black, adding gray or adding its complement on the color wheel. As areas reduce in size, the chromatic intensity can be increased.

Here is a house on my street that has broken The Law of Chromatic Distribution with impunity! There is simply too much saturated color for this large of a surface. It is so hard to even look at this house without becoming nauseated.

This house's exterior has had some white added to the hue. Doesn't it look better, way easier on the eyes?

This is a mixture with black. Yes it is dark, yes it is strong but still pretty to look at because the saturated color has been toned down and there is a richness to it.

Here is one with white and gray added. Nice, huh.

And finally, this garage is an example of a mixture that has been toned down by the addition of its complement. It not only diluted the blue, but also warmed it up achieving a nice balance.

It seems so easy to avoid disasters with education and experience. That is the role of a good color consultant.If you would like some help in the the planning your exterior color scheme, give me a call or send me an email. Together we'll get it right. www.eb-color.com.