Seasonal Color Analysis vs. Sci\ART 12-Tone Personal Color Analysis

Seasonal Color Analysis

Seasonal Color Analysis was introduced to the general public in the early 1980s, most notably by Carole Jackson with her book, “Color Me Beautiful.”

Seasonal Color Analysis is based on the seasonal color theory, which had its beginnings with the Impressionist painters during the 1800s.

The Impressionists studied the colors of nature and the effects of light and color during different times of day and during the different seasons of the year. These artists led us to new heights of color sensitivity. Painters such as Winslow Homer, 1836-1910, related the seasonal color tones to human coloration in paintings such as “Autum.” (left). "Autumn," a painting by Winslow Homer, and example of seasonal color theory upon which seasonal color analysis is based.

The colorist Johannes Itten taught the importance of the seasonal color tones as well as the understanding of human “subjective timbre,” or personal color tone. Itten also stressed the connection between personal color tone and personality types.

Seasonal Color Analysis is based on a very important, natural, and valid color theory, however, analysts soon discovered that four categories were not enough to properly identify the wide variety of human color tones they encountered. An expansion seasonal color analysis was necessary.

Sci\ART™ 12-Tone Personal Color Analysis

Initially it was presumed that all skin tones could be classified as either warm or cool. Winter and Summer were considered cool categories, and Spring and Autumn were considered warm. In many cases, however, analysts found that warmth or coolness of hue was not definite, and found it difficult, if not impossible, to determine.

The reason for this difficulty is that all colors are not either warm or cool. In fact, most fall somewhere in between. This area between warm and cool is referred to as “neutral.” For example, a red color with a yellow content is considered a warm red. A red color with a blue content is considered a cool red. A true red, one that has neither a yellow nor a blue content, is considered a “neutral” red. A color’s hue, therefore, may be warm, cool, or neutral.

Over two-thirds of human skin tones fall into this neutral category. Unfortunately, over two-thirds of those who have been “seasonally” analyzed have not felt comfortable with their colors.

Understanding this, Sci\ART Co., is pleased to offer Twelve-Tone Personal Color Analysis, a seasonal analysis that has been refined and expanded to include twelve categories instead of four.

Within each seasonal category, two others have been established to allow for the many beautiful tones that fall into the neutral area between the seasons. These welve color tones make color analysis three times more precise. They also beautifully encompass the full range of tones found in all races and nationalities. For a detailed description of each of the 12 Tones of Personal Color, please refer to chapter 6 of the book "Understanding Your Color - A Guide to Personal Color Analysis," by Kathryn Kalisz.

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