Have you ever stood in front of an overwhelming wall of paint chips, trying to choose the perfect shade of white? It's not as simple as it seems. White paint can have undertones that dramatically affect the mood and atmosphere of your space. Luckily, there's a secret weapon you can use to decipher these undertones – RGB colors!

In this post, we'll be exploring how RGB colors can unveil the mysteries of paint undertones. We'll also touch on LRV and the impact of different lighting conditions, from the warm embrace of natural light to the cozy glow of incandescent bulbs. Let's get started!

Understanding RGB in the World of Paint

What Is RGB?

RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue – the primary colors of light. When combined at different intensities, they create millions of colors, much like mixing paints on a palette.

The Value of Light and Dark

In the RGB world, colors are represented by three values, each ranging from 0 to 255. 0 means no color, and 255 is full intensity. The "value" in RGB tells us how light or dark a color is. 0 is black, and 255 is white. Everything in between is a different shade of gray.

How to Find RGB Values

Many paint brands provide RGB values for their colors. You can also use a color-picker tool to extract the RGB values from a digital image of your paint color. A simple search for "Benjamin Moore Oxford White RGB" should bring up an RGB of 240 / 241 / 234. 

Decoding Paint Undertones Using RGB Values

Now, let's talk about the intriguing world of undertones in paint colors. Undertones are subtle hints of other colors hiding beneath the surface. To uncover them, we'll look at RGB values.

• Warm Undertones: If the Red value is higher, you'll get warmer undertones, often leaning towards shades of yellow, pink, or orange.
• Cool Undertones: When the Blue value is dominant, you'll discover cooler undertones, leaning towards shades of blue or green.

For example, an RGB value could look like this: 222 / 222 / 222. This particular example would produce a color that is completely neutral as all 3 color families of red, green and blue are equally represented.

The closer these 3 values are to each other, the more neutral the color.

With every slight variation of these numeric values, the color will shift to lean into the colors with higher values.

I don't know about you, but a visual really goes a long way for me, so I put together a graphic to show you what I mean. We'll take a look at some designers favorites for "white" paint colors and what their RGB values are able to show us:

In the chart below you'll see the paint names, makers, color number, followed by RGB values, LRV and Hex value.

Let's do a deep dive on two of these...

Alabaster by Sherwin Williams & Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore

The Alabaster RGB Value reads: 237 / 234 / 224

This means that on that dark to light scale from 0 to 255, Alabaster has a value of 237 for the color red, 234 for green, and 224 for blue.

Because the red value is the highest of the 3 numbers, this color leans warmer than it does cool. The green value is also higher than the blue value, so there is a pull towards yellow rather than solid red, which is why you are seeing that orange undertone when we pull up this particular color.

The Chantilly Lace RGB Value reads: 244 / 246 / 241

These values show us that Chantilly Lace is going to have a slight green undertone because the RGB value in the greens is higher than that of the reds or blues.

Another thing to consider in evaluating this particular paint color is that the LRV value is so high at 90, that this is a very light/bright shade of color. The green undertones are going to be less prominent because there is less pigment in this color.

You may also want to take note that while the green value is higher, there is not a large range between the lowest value of blue at 241 and the highest value in green at 246. This is a pretty neutral color overall and the undertone pull is ever so slight.

You made it! Those are the basics of understanding how RGB value can unveil the mysteries of your whites and neutrals. Keep reading to learn what LRV is and more on the impact of lighting on your paint colors.

Understanding Light Reflectance Value (LRV)

When it comes to selecting the perfect paint color, Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is another essential factor to consider. LRV measures how much light a color reflects or absorbs. It's expressed on a scale from 0 to 100, where:

• 0 represents absolute black (light absorption).
• 100 represents pure white (light reflection).

The Significance of Light Reflectance Value (LRV) for White and Light Neutral Paints

When choosing white and light neutral paint colors, Light Reflectance Value (LRV) takes on special importance. LRV is a numerical measurement that tells you how much light a paint color reflects or absorbs. For these colors, LRV becomes a crucial factor because it directly impacts the perceived brightness and ambiance of your space.

Understanding LRV for Whites and Light Neutrals:

• Higher LRV: White and light neutral paint colors with an LRV above 50 are excellent choices for rooms with limited natural light. These colors reflect a significant amount of light, making spaces feel brighter and more open. They're perfect for creating an airy, refreshing atmosphere.
• Lower LRV: In contrast, white and light neutral paint colors with an LRV below 50 absorb more light, resulting in a cozier, more intimate ambiance. These shades are ideal for rooms with ample natural light, as they can help create a warm and welcoming feel.

Balancing LRV with Undertones:

While considering LRV, it's essential to also think about the undertones in your white or light neutral paint color. Warm undertones can add a touch of comfort and sophistication, while cooler undertones can evoke a clean, modern aesthetic. The balance between LRV and undertones can help you achieve the desired look and atmosphere in your space.

Practical LRV Examples:

• High LRV: Benjamin Moore "Simply White" (OC-117) boasts an LRV of 91.7, making it an excellent choice for creating a bright, open feel in a space.
• Moderate LRV: Benjamin Moore "Edgecomb Gray" (HC-173) has an LRV of 63.88, offering a balanced blend of light reflection and cozy neutrality.
• Low LRV: For a cozy, intimate space, consider Benjamin Moore "Revere Pewter" (HC-172) with an LRV of 55.51.

The Impact of Lighting

Now, let's talk about the real-world scenarios where lighting plays a pivotal role in how paint colors appear.

Natural Light

• Warm Natural Light: Sunlight tends to be warmer, bringing out the warmth in paint colors with red or yellow undertones.
• Cool Natural Light: North-facing rooms often have cooler, bluish light, which enhances cool undertones in paint.

Incandescent Lighting

• Warm Incandescent Light: Incandescent bulbs emit a warm, yellowish light that can make cool paint colors appear warmer.
• Cool Incandescent Light: Rare but possible, some LED bulbs mimic daylight, maintaining the true color of your paint.

A Few More Things That Can't Be Left Unsaid...

As much as I LOVE to look up paint colors online, you simply can't trust what you're seeing to be 100% accurate on any screen. It is important to understand that literally every screen on the planet can display colors differently. As a professional photographer/graphic designer/artist I work on specially designed, color-calibrated monitors and even still, there will be wiggle room. Every person also sees colors differently. So much exists between "normal vision" and "color-blindness".

Also, when choosing paint colors, you'll also want to consider the lighting in your space. Test paint samples on your walls to see how they look in different lighting conditions. Armed with this new RGB knowledge and an understanding of lighting, you can confidently pick the perfect paint colors for your space.

Now, the next time you're faced with that sea of paint chips, you'll know the secrets they hold. No more guesswork! Happy painting! 🎨🏡

PS. Let me know your biggest takeaways or drop any questions below and I'll do my best to update this blog post.