Color, Value and Hue5. A variation on an analogous relationship is Split-Analogous,

which would still use two or more colors, but youd choose every other alternate color on the color wheel. So, a split-analogous example would be blue-green/blue-purple/red-purple, red/orange/yellow, or blue/purple/red.

Color, Value and Hue Used to create a sense of continuity, but with greater boundary

distinctions between the colored regions, than using pure analogous scheme.

Color, Value and Hue6. Two colors are complementary if they occupy opposite positions

on the color wheel. Complementary scheme is the best way of showing contrast and drawing attention to a specific element in a painting or a particular feature on a miniature. Particularly if you paint most of your image or miniature with one color and some important detail with the other.

Color, Value and Hue One feature of true complements is that they scintillate. Which is

an optical effect that we see as a imaginary vibrating line between two complementary colors when they touch. This effect is caused by our eyes not being able to tell where one color ends and the other begins. Because the two colors trigger opposing color receptors in our eyes.

Color, Value and Hue Complementary colors are powerful because they naturally play

against each other, thanks to their color wheel positioning; red never looks more red than when its against green, and vice versa.

Color, Value and Hue > Common Color Schemes Complementary color schemes have a more energetic feel.

The high contrast between the colors creates a vibrant look, especially when used at full saturation. Complementary colors can be tricky to use in large doses.

Color, Value and Hue Additionally, complementary colors will have one warm color

(red, orange, yellow, and their variations) and one cool color (green, blue, purple, and their variations). Because the colors sit opposite each other, and a warm color is paired with a cool color, theres a natural tension to this color relationship, which is intriguing to our brains.

Color, Value and Hue Whether we do it consciously or unconsciously, our brains are

constantly searching for harmony, and color is no exception. So, when we see natural tension between complementary pairings, it forces our brain to stop and look.

Vincent Van Gogh, Caf Terrace on the Place du

Forum, Arles, 1888.

Color, Value and Hue

Vermeer, The Milkmaid, 1658 60

Color, Value and Hue Complements are great for showing contrast and attracting

attention.

Use complementary colors when you want to emphasize the colors, when you want lots of contrast, or when you want to draw attention to multiple areas at the same time. Change the value and saturation of at least one of the pair for a more sophisticated color scheme, like a bright red against a soft sage green.

Color, Value and HueComplement Variations

Split-Complements contrast 2 analogous or split-analogous colors with a complementary color.

Double-Split Complements contrast 2 complementary analogous or split-analogous ranges.

Color, Value and Hue7. Split-complementary colors play off the complementary

relationship, and also makes our brains stop and look (but for a different reason). Where red and green makes us pause because they are exact opposites, were pausing with red/yellow-green/blue-green because they arent exact opposites.

Color, Value and Hue Theres enough tension and visual interest and continuity to keep

our brains engaged while it puzzles out what its seeing. And while our brains are engaged, were still looking, which is always a plus when it comes to art.

Van Gogh's paintings are full of complementary colors. In this Self-portrait, he used split complementary color sets: G+YO+RO.

Color, Value and Hue All of the suggestions for complementary colors apply here, too.

Additionally, you could use split-complementary colors when you dont want to be obvious about the color scheme, when you want to add a little more drama, or want an extra color to play with.

Henri Matisse's "The Dance". In this painting, Matisse used split color sheme: O+BG+BV. The high contrast of color creates a strong sense of motion.

Color, Value and Hue

Picasso's painting "Dora Maar" is an good example of using complementary sets of color yellow and violet, Red-Blue-Green.

Color, Value and Hue8. The Triad relationship uses three colors, and these are chosen by

picking every fourth color on the color wheel. The name comes from the shape that occurs between the colors, and the split-complementary relationship could also act as a variation of a triad relationship. Triad examples include red/yellow/blue as well as red-purple/yellow-orange/blue-green.

Color, Value and Hue Triads work because theres equal distance between the colors on

the color wheel. Even if a viewer isnt familiar with the color wheel or color theory, their brains see the relationship as a balanced one, and balance equals harmony to our brains and eyes.

Color, Value and Hue Use a triadic color grouping when youre looking for a more

complex color scheme, something thats balanced and intriguing without being obvious.