PRIMARY COLOURS
COMPLEMENTARY COLOURS
There are three primary colours: RED, YELLOW, and BLUE. On the colour wheel, all other colours are created from a combination of these three.
Complementary colours are opposite each other on the colour wheel; for example green and red. In the science of light and colour, complementary colours are any two colours that produce a neutral grey or white when mixed together. Most of the time, however, the term complementary refers to colours that are attractive and harmonious together. When placed next to each other, complementary colours are highly contrasting. Optically, the colours make each other appear brighter.
There are three secondary colours: orange, purple and green. The secondary colours are created by mixing equal amounts of two primary colours: YELLOW + BLUE = GREEN BLUE + RED = PURPLE RED + YELLOW = ORANGE
TERTIARY COLOURS
NEUTRAL COLOURS
Neutral colours are “non-colours”, sometimes referred There are six tertiary colours, created by mixing a primary to as “earth tones”. The true neutrals are colours such as black, white and grey, although beige and cream are colour and a secondary colour in equal amounts. often included. They are a combination of all the colours These are: in the spectrum, and do not appear on the colour wheel. YELLOW + GREEN = YELLOW-GREEN Neutral colours help to tone down colours that are too GREEN + BLUE = BLUE-GREEN strong, and to shift the focus to other colours. BLUE + PURPLE = BLUE-PURPLE Neutral colours include black, grey, silver, brown, beige, PURPLE + RED = RED-PURPLE ivory, and white. RED + ORANGE = ORANGE-RED In recent years the definition of neutral colours has ORANGE + YELLOW = YELLOW-ORANGE been expanded to include very low intensity colours, and may now refer to the most muted versions of any HARMONIOUS COLOURS colour on the colour wheel. Colour theory states that any two colours opposite each WARM COLOURS other on the colour wheel will be harmonious. Similar harmonious combinations can be found with any three Warm colours are colours in the yellow-orange-red part colours equally spaced around the wheel, forming a triangle of the spectrum, and contain large amounts of yellow. (as in the illustration on page 3), or any four colours forming a They are energetic colours, associated with fire and the rectangle (any two pairs of colours opposite each other on the wheel). sun, and have a warming effect psychologically. These groups of harmonious colours commonly referred to Optically, warm colours advance, and give the impression as “colour harmonies” or, more commonly, colour schemes. of being closer. Warm colours include yellow, gold, orange, red, and MONOCHROMATIC COLOURS pink. Black and brown, normally neutral, can have the Monochromatic colours are variations of a single colour. attributes of warm colours. Monochromatic colours go well together, and appear COOL COLOURS clean, elegant and soothing. Cool colours are in the green-blue-purple part of the ANALAGOUS or RELATED COLOURS spectrum, and contain large amounts of blue. They are Analogous or related colours are similar colours that are calming, comforting colours, and have a relaxing effect adjacent to each other on the colour wheel; for example psychologically. Optically, cool colours recede, and give the impression of being further away. green and blue. Generally, one colour is used as a Cool colours include blue, green, and the neutral colours dominant colour, while others are used for enrichment grey, silver, and white. or nuance.
Colour & Colour Theory
SECONDARY COLOURS
VISIBLE SPECTRUM OF LIGHT
THE COLOUR WHEEL
MIXED WARM AND COOL COLOURS Mixed warm and cool colours are colours with the attributes of both, and can both calm and excite. They are a mix of warm and cool colours, such as yellow and blue or blue and red. Mixed warm and cool colours include beige, green, turquoise, lavender, and purple.
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PG 11