Color Theory as a Rewind Machine

It is evident, when training the eye for color theory practice, that decades and movements in the twentieth century captured color schemes that exuded the vibe and mood of the time. The above photograph is taken from the chapter titled “The American Dream” section of Pantone’s 1940s collection and demonstrates how Apricot Wash, Apricot Sherbet, Meadow, Russet Brown, Vanilla, and Rose Smoke come together to embody a time that completely rattled the entire world as it was known.

An encyclopedia of color swatches is the most useful tool when constructing comic set in a specific period. A successful color palette can aid in setting the stage for a believable story. Take for example, the series Mad Men (2007), which was set during New York in the 1960s. There is a point on the story that takes place from 1969 to 1970 when Don Draper’s house was suddenly decorated with Burnt Orange, Cream Gold, Golden Olive, and Avocado that made the change in color palettes much more noticeable.

In recent years, the trend to emulate the Nordic style of the Danish “Hyyge” lifestyle will definitely be seen in warm and gentle neutral color tones of Taupe, Chinchilla, Cream, Arctic White, and Sand will most likely be one of the refreshing color schemes from the twenty-first century of color design.

How does any of this apply to comics?

That is easy for anyone who has acted as a colorist or attempted to give color to a full page of scribbles and inked sketches. Applying specific, known color schemes from the fashion periods from earlier decades is the easiest way to show the reader that the comic takes place during a different era from the present day one.

Selecting a calming color palette has a lasting effect of calming down a reader, while a stimulating color palette may have the opposite effect.

Has anyone ever used a specific decade’s color palette in their original comic work? Post a link to your comic page and share below!




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