The pastel are a family of colors that have a low saturation intermediate, and are generally described as lightweight, washed, neutral or soothing. The most common pastel colors are light pink, yellow, blue, green, and lavender.
In the United States they are often associated with spring and holidays such as Easter. Pastel shades are popular in fashion during the spring months.
Different pastel colors have different meanings. For example, pastel blues symbolize peace and harmony, while pastel greens represent hope, birth, and renewal.
Yellow is thought to symbolize joy and happiness, and pastel pink represents play and a new beginning. Pastel colors are also widely used to represent everything that is associated with newborn babies (the design of their rooms, clothes, accessories).
Characteristics and psychology of pastel color
Pastel colors are usually shades of colors. Only some white is added to one shade. Adding white not only raises the value, it also changes the psychology. They are generally regarded as delicate, feminine, and clean.
Pastels are generally used when talking about paintings and usually involve a smooth matte finish as well as pale colors (lighter, less saturated). "Vibrant" or perhaps "vivid" colors could be a kind of opposite for pastel colors.
There are color tools in the art called "pastels" that are made from powder with low to medium color saturation. A pastel color is one that is produced from such mediums, low to intermediate color saturation.
Pastel colors are great for combining flat design or other bold design options. Adding a touch of pastel to the photo makes the image more accessible and interesting.
The contrast of real photography with pastel graphics draws attention where it is needed most. Using pastels with bold typography can really make the text stand out, especially against a plain background.
Meanings of pastel colors
Color is a silent language, since color has a vibration, like music. Experiencing color is an objective and subjective experience. Pastel colors evoke openness and relaxation.
These hues are considered calming and are sometimes even equated with sanity. Pastel colors represent neutrality, they are peaceful and soft.
Neutral pastel shades are very appropriate for a living room, bedroom, bathroom or office. Pastel green symbolizes security, nature, development, evolution, birth and tranquility.
Green has a deep emotional analogy with feelings of security. Pastel blue represents harmony and peace. For Feng Shui, pastel green represents family, nature, and honor.
Pastels are less saturated than primary colors, making them feel light, soft, and calming. They are always worn in spring as they work well with neutral colors and create a sense of sophistication.
The white color used to achieve pastel colors represents clarity, innocence, cleanliness, spirituality, purity, hope, expansiveness, and openness. It can also be sterile and come off.
References
- X-Rite Editors. (2016). Spring Color Update: The Psychology of Pastels. 3-12-2017, retrieved from xrite.com.
- Feng Shui And Beyond. (2017). Color Psychology. 3-12-2017, retrieved from feng-shui-and-beyond.com.
- Irvine, S. (2000-2017). Spring Into Pastel Color Palettes… And Stay Awhile. 3-12-2017, retrieved from dtelepathy.com.
- Renshaw, A. (2014). Antonym / opposite of Pastel Color Space (Color Scheme?). 3-12-2017, from stackexchange.com.
- (2016). What are pastel colors ?. 3-12-2017, retrieved from quora.com.
- Reference Editors. (2017). What are pastel colors ?. 3-12-2017, retrieved from reference.com.
- Epsos Editors. (2017). Meaning of colors. 12-3-2017, recovered from epsos.de.