Color Theory

Split Complementary

Created by joining a hue with the two hues beside its complement. For example: blue with red-orange and yellow-orange. Because this palette consists of two nearby hues, paired with one on the opposite side of the wheel, it can be used for conveyances of both harmony and dissent.

Analogous

Analogous sets are made up of three to five adjacent hues on the color wheel. This scheme is often used to create a theme of support and agreement because of how all the members are close to each other. However, sets with more members also have the potential of conveying some diversity and opposition, especially with the application of different values and levels of intensity.

Tertiary Colours

Tertiary colors result from a mix of primary and secondary colors. You can find them on the color wheel between the spokes of primary and secondary colors. For example: Red+ Violet = Red-Violet

Tetradic

Tetrad means four. Tetradic palettes form the shape of a square or rectangle on the color wheel. All tetradic schemes are made up of two sets of complementary colors. They are useful for conveying diversity and liveliness due to the wide variety of hues. Because of how this palette is always made up of two warmer and two cooler hues, make sure that the colors do not complete with each other for attention. An easy way to fix this is by lowering the saturation level of anything shouting out too strongly.

Hue

A color or shade, the spoke on a color wheel

Saturation

The intensity of a color/hue. Also referred to as chroma, purity, or richness. Something that is fully saturated is the most intense form of a hue. Mute or dull a hue to make it less saturated.

Value

The relative lightness and darkness of a color/hue. The most important of the three qualities. Hues cannot exist without value and different levels of saturation cannot be applied without hues.

Warm Colours

These colors make up the red, orange, and yellow side of the color wheel. Can be used to convey a variety of things including: love, energy, cheerfulness. In general, warm colors attract more attention (think stop signs).

Monochromatic

A set made up of lighter and darker versions of one color/hue. Monochromatic color palettes can have any number of shades and tints (darker and lighter versions). Generally though, a palette of more than seven or eight will cause the eye to start having difficulty seeing differences between the different versions of hues. Good for compositions that need a tone of economy (getting a lot done with just a little) or purpose (enhance the style and thematic of the main hue with several similar versions).

The makeup of a colour

Colors are always defined by three qualities: hue, saturation, and value (HSV).

Triadic

Made up of three hues equally spaced around the color wheel. Creates an energetic and charismatic set of colors with divergence given how the three hues are spaced so widely apart on the color wheel. Softening or increasing differences in the values and saturation levels will decrease or intensify the feeling of divergence.

complementary

Made up of two hues directly opposing each other on the color wheel. This scheme can convey individuality and liveliness given the differences. If needed, you can lower the energy and emphasis by muting the hues in your complementary palette.

Cool Colours

Make up the violet, blue, and green side of the color wheel. Conveys things like: peace, growth, nature, harmony.

Secondary Colours

Mixing primary colors results in secondary colors:

Primary Colors

Primary colors are known as source colors, meaning that they cannot be made with mixtures of other colors.