Color sense, like style or taste, can be developed. Barring physical limitations (i.e. color blindness) anyone can develop 'color judgment'.We define color judgment as;

The ability to determine the conduciveness of a given color in a specific environment and the ability to analyze and break a color into its basic component colors that it may be exactly reproduced.'

Color is influenced by light, individual perception, and other colors.  All of these things must be ultimately taken into account when studying color.  The Academy of Wall Artistry Color Intensive Course teaches the artist to refine their color judgment, illuminating their understanding of the applications of elegant, sophisticated and appropriate colors and then how to hand mix the exact color that is required.   This knowledge is essential to the professional decorative artist.

Perfect pitch with respect to color, as with music, is possibly an innate ability. You will will learn about color from Victoria Bingham, whose perfect pitch in color matching has led clients to marvel, and designers and architects to seek her judgment on color choice as well as rely on her completely for color selection for their residential and commercial projects.  Victoria does color consulting for a client base from New York to Washington DC.   For information on a color consultation for your home or business, call: 1.888.637.3726

COLOR CLASS DESCRIPTION

The Academy of Wall Artistry's Color Intensive course is geared toward the decorative arts.  In the class you will learn and do the following:

·         Assemble the visual elements of a given space and select the ‘perfect’ color/s that ‘pull everything together’ in the most visually interesting/appropriate/exciting manner.  The perfect color is a ‘foil’ to the surrounding elements, showing them off best.

• Learn what kind of colors ALWAYS work together and what kind of colors NEVER work together. YES there are immutable laws in color work!

·         Take that perfect color/s and reproduce it precisely in paint or decorative plaster.   Multiple exercises are given to develop the skill of reproducing colors precisely, beautifully, quickly.

·         Develop and produce a professional ‘Color Board’ presenting the final combination of elements to include; a selection of the chosen color/s , a sample  board with a painted or plastered finish designed from the same chosen colors and pieces of the fabrics and materials that generated the choices of color.  [The Color Board you will produce is similar to that produced by a designer or architect to demonstrate to the client the final coordinated elements of the space to be developed.]

SO WHAT DO I LEARN?  SPECIFICALLY:

• You will learn how to use your eye to split a complicated color into its basic component colors in order to exact a precise duplication in any type of paint or plaster.  Learn the Color component RULES that work with mathematical exactness and scientific precision to get exact mixes every time!

• You will learn how to make the 'relationships' between hues, values and warmth and coolness work for you in exquisitely designed color combinations.

• You will study the professional principles of custom color selection, mixing and matching.

• You will gain an understanding as to which color schemes are nearly always appropriate and why, what color combinations simply DON'T work and 'Why'!, what colors DO work in harmony with each other.

• You will learn how to correctly 'complicate 'simple' colors or high intensity hues.

•  You will learn the essentials of Color Judgment: To work 'high end' - color judgment is imperative.  The finest techniques are nullified by poor color selection, or the inability to mix the 'correct' matching color.  We cannot overstress, 'color is 99% of the result'.

• You will learn how the experts decide 'WHAT' colors to use to pull together disparate elements in a design scheme.

• You will be able to 'Debunk the Color Myths'.  You will find out WHY it is NOT true that 'white makes a room appear larger' or that 'color makes a room feel smaller'.    Used correctly Color increases the visual LARGENESS of a living space. [Click to View Example of a room before & after color].  Learn WHY this is so and how to show your clients this vital information.

• You will learn how to mix both paint or decorative plaster to achieve the PRECISE color required, being taught specific techniques for adjusting hue and value to achieve EXACTLY what you are looking for.

• You will learn how your eye sees color, which one it sees first and why; learn how to use the information to apply value and color weight to perfectly combine an array of color.

Make color your most powerful asset in your work with  decorative art. 

What You Will Leave The Class With:

• A professional 'Color Board'  developed from the elements of your design space combined with your 'decorative' paint or plaster sample board.  [We use a very specific 'finish' for this purpose]  Your color boards will become a very important part of your library of samples and can SELL the job!;
• A heightened sense of color judgment and the confidence to choose colors not only for your clients but for designers and architects as well;
• The profound understanding that-  having graduated The Academy's Color Class - you will never have to WONDER what to do, again!  You will gain a foundation and a very specific system of KEYS to build upon in each and every design scenario that you are challenged to complete; 
• The conviction that - COLOR IS EVERYTHING!

Read Some of our graduates comments on this class:

' I would encourage any perspective student of the 'Color Intensive Course' to be fully prepared to receive a large volume of information and sophisticated instruction.  This class is truly academic in the education sense.  It is also fast paced and therefore I suggest it is essential to have it follow directly ahead of Buon Fresco's decorative painting or plaster courses in order to reinforce the skills you will gain from it.  The Syllabus has become my new 'Decorative Bible'.  The Color Course is one of the most important classes I've taken in 20 years of training'!      Mario Dennis, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Victoria teaches you to deconstruct the actual pigments in each color for you to learn how to mix colors accurately!  It is so exciting to mix your own custom colors!  I would absolutely recommend this class to other decorative painters.  It is a MUST!   Ann Onusko, Cleveland OH

Chad Fox wrote:  'I wasn't sure what to expect, however I was immediately impressed by the professionalism, demeanor, and quality of the instruction and materials.   I learned far more than I ever thought I would.  I leave this class with a richer understanding and appreciation for an ancient art.  I will never look at a wall or color scheme the same way again.   Victoria helped me to free the stymied, constricted designer that resides within my soul and expanded my mind - opening up new ways of thinking and looking at color that I wouldn't have considered before.  Additionally her 'anything is possible' attitude has left me utterly transformed.  I am a better person as a result.   I look forward to returning to San Francisco to apply what I have learned here, knowing that now I have a distinct advantage over other designers - and knowing in my heart that I am capable of anything I desire.'  August 29th, 2006