Colour Match is a system using Faber Castell colour coded
pencils that are matched to the Resene Total Colour System. This system
helps you to illustrate the colours you have selected and enables you
to confidently present colour concepts to your clients.
Download pencil recipe and RGB values list (Excel file)
The Resene Colour Match system can be ordered online or through Resene representatives, for $175 for the full set or the pencils can be purchased individually.
Resene Colour Match is a simple system to use. Read the following directions and explanations on how to achieve the best results.
Resene has created pencil recipes for standard Resene colours. The pencil
recipe for a colour tells you what pencil numbers to use to create that
colour. Where the pencil number has brackets around it, this means the
pencil should be only used lightly in the mix. The code numbers for
the pencils are printed on the non-lead end of the pencil.
Here's how it works:
Step one
Decide which Resene colours you wish to use in your design.
Step two
Look up each colour using the Resene pencil recipe list or the Resene
pencil recipes in our Online Library to find out the appropriate pencil
recipe for that colour. Resene pencil recipes are available in a hard
copy list available free from your Resene
ColorShop or view recipes online in the Resene
Online Library.
For example:
To create the colour Resene Tea, look up Resene Tea in the Resene
pencil recipe list or in the Resene
Online Library. This will tell you that you need to use pencils
271 and 270.
Step three:
Consider how you want the colour to look, such as textured, intense,
bright, subtle. Select your preferred technique depending on the look you want to achieve.
The appearance of the final drawing will vary depending on the technique selected and on the drawing and colouring style of the user. There are three ways to apply the pencils: wet, dry, or a combination of both.
Dry techniques
Dry pencils are easy to control and they allow a wide variety of
finished appearances. Colours can be intense or very subtle, and colours
can be coarsely or smoothly mixed.
Layering colours
Build up the required colour by layering the colours one after the other
until the right tone is achieved.
Colour order
It is best to use the darker or brighter colour first, followed by the
lighter or duller colour. When white is required, use it last.
Intensity
Increase colour intensity by increasing pressure. Reduce intensity
by using less pressure or rubbing back.
Texture
Use dry pencil techniques to illustrate textures of materials. Apply
pencils over a rough background for a textured effect or other pencil
strokes to create different results. Experiment.
Details
Fine details are more easily illustrated using dry pencils.
Wet
techniques
Wet application of Colour Match pencils can be done in a
number of ways, each giving a different appearance to the finished drawing.
Wash
effect/wet mix
Wet mix the pencils off the page, then apply as a watercolour. This
is effective for large areas of even colour when a lower intensity is
desired. It gives a lighter, more translucent appearance to the finished
drawing.
Mixing
Mix the colours dry on a saucer, plastic sheet or palette, then wet
with a paintbrush, mixing colours together thoroughly before applying
to drawing as a watercolour wash.
Testing
Test on a trial piece of paper to ensure you are happy with the colour
and intensity before applying to the finished drawing. Allow to dry
then adjust the mix until an ideal match is achieved.
Colour variations
Some colours become lighter when wet, the more water the lighter. When
using grey to 'dirty' colours, more grey is needed in a wet mix than
a dry mix. For lighter colours when white is specified, the white can
be left out of the wet mix and dilution used to achieve the paler colour.
Dry mix on drawing/blend with wet paint
Colours can be dry mixed on the page and then wet to blend. The outcome
is usually more intense than the wash technique, but the result is less
consistent and the technique takes more practice to master. This method
does work well on small areas of dark, bright or intense colour.
Dip
pencil in water/apply directly to drawing
This technique is useful for a very vibrant effect, for example when
highlighting a detail. It is best used for small areas, or for adding
pattern or texture after other techniques have been used.
Dry over wet techniques:
Combining techniques can give interesting and vibrant effects. Areas
of shadow, fine details and textures can be illustrated with the use
of dry pencils applied over water coloured drawings.
Wet applications first.
Colour drawing using wet techniques, allow to dry.
Dry pencils next.
Highlight textures and details, using dry techniques over the watercolours.
If water coloured drawings need adjustment when dry, use
dry pencils to alter. Adjusting wet colours is usually less successful.
A bracket around a pencil number means you use that pencil lightly in
the colour mix.
White colours
As the colour and differences between colours are so subtle, the art
of mixing becomes very important when matching these colours. Dark colours
need to be used very softly and sparingly and overlaid by the pale colours.
Most colours have a large proportion of white in them. Best results
are achieved when colours are wet so that dilution can give the subtlety
required and an even effect can be more easily created.
Metallic chart colours
The reflective nature of the metallic effect makes it more difficult
to match the colours as they change with the light. As much as possible
view all colour matches under the same light and at the same angle to
the light. Metallics should be put on as per flat colours - dark to
light. i.e. Start away from the light source and work towards it. Metallic
pencils are those pencils numbered within the range 600-700.
Light
Colour will vary under different lights and should be matched in daylight
to achieve a reliable match. Colours matched under fluorescent light
may look different in daylight and vice versa.
Matching
Colours need to be matched by trial and by eye. Testing colours and
allowing them to dry is important for consistently good results.
Metallics
The reflective nature of the metallic effect of metallic colours makes
it more difficult to match the colours as they change with the light.
As much as possible view all colour matches under the same light and
at the same angle to the light. Metallics should be put on as per flat
colours - dark to light. Start away from the light source and work towards
it. Metallic pencils are those pencils numbered within the range 600-700.
Mixing
When working with white colours, as the colour and differences between
colours are so subtle, the art of mixing becomes very important when
matching these colours. Dark colours need to be used very softly and
sparingly and overlaid by the pale colours. Most colours have a large
proportion of white in them. Best results are achieved when colours
are wet so that dilution can give the subtlety required and an even
effect may be more easily created.
Paper colour
The appearance of any colour is affected by the colour of the background.
Always test colour mixes on the same background as the final drawing.
White paper stock will generally give the best results.
Proportions
The amount of each pencil needed for an ideal match will vary slightly,
depending on whether you use dry or wet applications.
Use lightly
A bracket around a pencil number means you use that pencil lightly in
the colour mix.
Results
The speed to achieve a quality end result will improve with practice
of the techniques outlined earlier. Individual styles allow for endless
variety in the finished product.
Pencil recipes
Download recipe
and RGB list (Excel file) - How the
system works - Selecting the
technique - Pencil usage notes
- Colour match hints