Complementary colors are opposites on the color wheel, creating strong contrast and visual tension. Red-green, blue-orange, and yellow-purple are classic pairs. The color wheel organizes hues based on wavelengths, with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors arranged systematically.

Split-complementary schemes use a base color plus two colors adjacent to its complement. This offers more variety while maintaining contrast. For example, red with yellow-green and blue-green creates a balanced yet dynamic palette, perfect for eye-catching designs.

Color Wheel Concepts

Complementary Colors and the Color Wheel

• Complementary colors are pairs of colors located directly opposite each other on the color wheel
• Create the strongest contrast and visual tension when used together
• Examples of complementary color pairs include:
  • Red and green
  • Blue and orange
  • Yellow and purple
• The color wheel is a visual representation of the relationships between colors
  • Arranges colors in a circular format based on their wavelengths
  • Primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) are evenly spaced around the wheel
  • Secondary colors (green, orange, and purple) are created by mixing adjacent primary colors
  • Tertiary colors are formed by mixing a primary and an adjacent secondary color

Split-Complementary Color Scheme

• A split-complementary color scheme is a variation of the complementary color scheme
• Uses a base color and the two colors adjacent to its complement on the color wheel
• Creates a more balanced and less intense contrast compared to complementary colors
• To create a split-complementary scheme:
  • Choose a base color
  • Identify its complement on the color wheel
  • Select the two colors adjacent to the complement
• Offers more color variety while maintaining visual tension and contrast
• Example: Red as the base color, with yellow-green and blue-green as the split-complements

Complementary Color Effects

Visual Tension and Contrast

• Complementary colors create strong visual tension due to their contrasting nature
  • Tension arises from the push-pull effect between the opposing colors
  • Grabs the viewer's attention and creates a dynamic composition
• Complementary colors produce the most vibrant contrast when used together
  • Enhance each other's intensity and create a striking visual impact
  • Ideal for highlighting important elements or creating focal points in a design

Harmonious Discord and Balance

• Despite their contrasting nature, complementary colors can create a sense of harmony and balance when used effectively
  • The visual tension is balanced by the complementary relationship between the colors
  • Creates a sense of completeness and unity in the composition
• Complementary colors can be described as "harmonious discord"
  • The colors clash and create tension, yet they complement each other
  • The discord is harmonious because of the inherent balance in the color wheel
• To achieve visual balance with complementary colors:
  • Use them in roughly equal proportions
  • Adjust the saturation or value of one color to create dominance or emphasis
  • Consider the size, placement, and shape of the colored elements in the composition