TLDR: Gray Owl OC-52 Color Review
Gray Owl belongs to the yellow hue family on the cusp of the green-yellow hue family. It can show with green overtones because it is literally located over near the green-yellow hue family.
Colors from Gray Owl’s hue family neighborhood notoriously shift blue in certain qualities of light. If Gray Owl shifts blue in your space, you know the inherent light has a heavy blue-violet bias. If you don’t want blue walls, then your color strategy is don’t choose near neutral colors from this hue family neighborhood.
In a balanced quality of light, Gray Owl will be perceived as a mid-tone, crisp gray with moments of greenness.
Feel free to swipe and use the images: paint blob / paint can lid and the Colorography.
What *Kind* of Color Is Gray Owl OC-52?
It’s a “chromatic-gray”. That means it’s a near neutral – BUT – it has a discernible amount of colorfulness to it. The question is what color? Gray Owl OC-52 by Benjamin Moore is versatile and belongs to the yellow hue family, bordering on the green-yellow family. This positioning in color space (or on the color wheel) means it can exhibit green overtones, especially in certain lighting conditions. Key Color Attributes in Munsell Notation:- Hue Family: Yellow, near green-yellow
- Value (Lightness): 8.26
- Chroma (Colorfulness): 0.47
- LRV (Light Reflectance Value): 64.51
Understanding Gray Owl’s Behavior in Different Lighting
Low Chroma colors from this hue family neighborhood, like Gray Owl, are known to shift blue-ish under certain lighting conditions. If Gray Owl appears bluish in your space, it’s likely due to a heavy blue-violet bias in the ambient light. In balanced lighting, Gray Owl shows up as a mid-tone, crisp gray with subtle green nuances.Gray Owl OC-52 Hue Family
Here’s Gray Owl OC-52 by Benjamin Moore in context of its Hue Family neighborhood, 9 Y (Yellow) on The Color Strategist Color Wheel. The pink arrows point to where Gray Owl OC-52 fits in among the other colors according to its Value 8.26 rounded to 8.25, Chroma of 0.47 rounded to 0.5.
Practical Applications: Where Gray Owl Excels
Gray Owl’s adaptability makes it suitable for various spaces:- Living Rooms: Creates a serene and modern atmosphere.
- Kitchens: Pairs well with stainless steel appliances and white cabinetry.
- Bathrooms: Offers a clean and refreshing backdrop.
- Bedrooms: Promotes relaxation with its soft chromatic-gray tones.
Gray Owl OC-52 Coordinating Colors and Design Tips
When planning a color scheme with Gray Owl, consider the following coordinating colors:
- Trim and Ceilings: Super White OC-152 or Chantilly Lace OC-65. Extra White SW 7006 from Sherwin-Williams is gorgeous too.
- Accent Colors: Hale Navy HC-154 or Coventry Gray HC-169
- Complementary Neutrals: White Wisp OC-54 or Sea Haze 2137-50
These combinations can enhance Gray Owl’s inherent qualities, creating a cohesive and inviting space.
Lighter / Darker Versions of Gray Owl OC-52
In order from light to dark. This is a screenshot from The Paint Color DNA Table. Subscribing means you can do searches like this for any paint color:
