How to adjust antique color
Among the hot topics in the past 10 days, retro-style design and color matching have once again become the focus. Whether it is home decoration, clothing design or digital art, the application of antique colors has attracted much attention. This article will give you a detailed analysis of the mixing methods of antique colors, and provide practical color schemes based on hot topics on the Internet.
1. The definition and characteristics of antique color

Antique color is a color that imitates ancient utensils, buildings or artworks formed over time. It is characterized by low saturation, gray tone, and a texture that has been tempered by time. Common antique colors include beige, gray green, ocher, dark brown, etc.
| Color system | Represent color | RGB value | Application scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm colors | Beige | 235, 219, 178 | Home wall, ceramics |
| Cool colors | Gray green | 138, 151, 123 | Textiles, packaging |
| neutral colors | dark brown | 101, 67, 33 | wooden furniture, leather |
2. Antique color applications in hot spots across the Internet
1.home design: On the Douyin platform, the "Wabi-sabi style" decoration video received more than 50 million views in one week, in which the combination of antique walls and furniture is the key.
2.fashion field: Under the topic of "Retro Outfits" on Xiaohongshu, the layering method of gray green and ocher has been recommended by many fashion bloggers.
3.digital art: The "Color Restoration Tutorial of Ancient Paintings" released by the "Color Laboratory" of Bilibili UP received 100,000+ likes in 3 days, explaining in detail how to use PS to bring out the texture of ancient paintings.
| platform | Hot content | heat index | Related colors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douyin | Wabi-sabi style decoration | 9.2/10 | Beige, dark brown |
| little red book | retro outfit | 8.7/10 | Gray green, ocher |
| Station B | Ancient painting color tutorial | 8.5/10 | Multi color mix |
3. How to mix antique colors
1.Basic color selection: Extract the main colors from ancient artworks, such as cobalt blue of blue and white porcelain, green rust of ancient bronzes, etc.
2.desaturation: Add 10-30% gray to the original color to reduce the brightness.
3.add texture: Simulate the traces of time by overlaying texture or slight noise.
| Deployment steps | Operational points | Recommended tools |
|---|---|---|
| Color selection | Reference photos of cultural relics | Pantone color card |
| Color grading | Reduce saturation | PS Hue/Saturation |
| Add texture | Add subtle texture | Procreate Brushes |
4. Antique color processing techniques for different materials
1.wooden material: Use dark color as base first, then thinly apply transparent color, and finally use steel wool to slightly fray the edges.
2.metal material: Chemical oxidation method can quickly produce a patina effect, and special antique paint is recommended for home use.
3.Textiles: Tea dyeing is the most natural antiquing method, and commercially available antiquing dyes can also be used.
5. Popular antique color combinations in 2023
According to recent trend analysis of design platforms, the following three color schemes are the most popular:
| color scheme | color value combination | Applicable fields |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarly and elegant | #D4C8A9+#8B7D65 | Study, cultural and creative |
| Legacy of ancient porcelain | #A7C4B5+#6E7F80 | Tableware, packaging |
| Bronze Age | #B38E6D+#5C4A3A | accessories, furniture |
Mastering the skills of mixing antique colors can not only enhance the historical richness of the work, but also conform to the current retro trend. It is recommended to collect the color matching table in this article and use it flexibly in actual creation.
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