The Color Wheel
Primary ColorsRed
Yellow Blue |
Secondary ColorsOrange
Green Violet |
Tertiary ColorsRed-Orange
Red-Violet Yellow-Orange Yellow-Green Blue-Violet Blue-Green |
Color Schemes
ComplementaryOpposites on the color wheel:
red & green, blue & orange, yellow & violet. The contrast of complementary colors creates a vibrant look, especially when used at full saturation. Complementary color schemes are challenging to use in large amounts, but work well for emphasis.
Split-ComplementarySplit-complementary is a variation of a complimentary color scheme. It uses three colors—a base color and the two colors adjacent to its complement.
Split-complementaries have a strong visual contrast like a complementary does, but with less tension.
TetradicThe rectangle color scheme uses four colors arranged into two complementary pairs.
This rich color scheme offers plenty of possibilities for variation, but it is most successful if one color is dominant.
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AnalogousColors that are next to each other on the color wheel.
Analogous colors match well. They are harmonious and pleasing to the eye. They create serene, comfortable designs and are often found in nature.
TriadicTriadic color schemes use three colors that are even spaced around the color wheel.
Typically, triadics are vibrant, even with the use of pale or unsaturated colors. For a triadic color scheme to be successful, it is best if one color dominates and the other two accent.
SquareThe square color scheme is similar to the rectangle, but the four colors are evenly spaced around the color wheel.
This rich color scheme offers plenty of possibilities for variation, but it is most successful if one color is dominant.
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