As an educator, I try to make a variety of devices available to my students for experimentation. One of the most recent tools we brought to the studio arsenal is the color checker (also known as a color isolator.) The color checker is a device that contains a viewfinder and an angled paint-holder (surface to hold paint mixtures.) The viewfinder is placed at a specific distance from the paint-holder so that the paint-holder will take up a portion of the viewfinder window when a user gazes through it. The concept behind this device, made popular by artist and educator Mark Carder in 2001, is to allow an isolated comparison between the color of a paint mixture and a target color found with an observable subject.
Early designs of Mark Carder’s Color Checker
(The Color Checker mentioned here is not to be confused with the device of the same name that is often used with photography/film-making. That type of color checker is a plate containing specifically formulated colors that are used as color reference target.)
(Wrong type of Color Checker.)
*Intended use of the Color Checker: A user places a paint mixture that is a potential match for an observed subject, on the paint holder surface. The user then “aims” the color checker at the target color that he or she is trying to “match.” The user then looks through the viewfinder (often at arm’s length) so that the paint mixture and target share approximately equal viewing space within the viewfinder window. In the simple context provided by viewfinder, the match should be relatively simple to assess.
Mark Carder would later launch his own line of artist materials/tools called Geneva Fine Art Supplies which would offer a much newer version of his popular device. You can purchase one of these newer color checkers for $87.00 from Geneva here: https://genevafineart.com/collections/artists-tools/products/color-checker?variant=5183013699
However—many creatives have opted to make their own versions–and with the increased access to 3D printing–one can make a Color Checker quite cheap. Here’s a few free models on Thingiverse:
We printed these models out at the AAAW studio and the “Noisy Cricket” by TBarnabas was the hands-down favorite. The Paint Color Checker by ahughes114 seemed to have a viewfinder that was far too big for the paint holder (not too mention a seemingly flimsy arm that seems just itching to break off.)
I should mention for those interested in a 3D printing option—be mindful of how porous your printing materials are. Consider placing some type of gloss acrylic or perhaps polyurethane over the paint-holder so the printed checker does not become adversely affected from paint application.
The “handgun” version by Bassmark1 had a super small viewfinder and paint-holder—but it was easily one of the most fun versions:
With a little time and effort you can find quite a few variations of the Color Checker out there—or you can get creative and come up with your own design.
Shown: Another Color Checker made by NotQuiteLiving found on Etsy and a similar isolation device used by artist Paul Foxton which uses Munsell chips.
In the meantime—here’s a few videos from Mark Carder on the use of his popular painting device:
Mark Carder on Using a Color Checker:
Mark Carder’s History of the Color Checker
Happy Painting!
