Color Schemes, Harmonies, Chords
Remember: if white is added to a hue, it's called a tint. If black is added, it's called a shade. Add gray (black + white), and it's called a tone.
A Color Scheme is a planned combination of colors; these are also called color harmonies or color chords... and they consist of two or more colors with a fixed relationship on the color wheel.
Color schemes can be used in any kind of design or art, including painting, graphic design, interior design and web design. Color schemes are important to a successful design; they can help you control the viewers' emotional, as well as visual, reactions.
Traditionally, there are a number of color combinations that are considered especially useful in design.
| Monochromatic Color Scheme One hue plus tints, shades, and tones of that one hue... variations in lightness and saturation of a single hue. This scheme looks clean and elegant. Monochromatic colors go well together, frequently producing a soothing effect. The energy is more subtle and peaceful due to a lack of contrast of hue. |
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| You can use it to establish an overall mood. The main color can be integrated with neutral colors such as black, white, or gray. However, it can be difficult, when using this scheme, to highlight the most important elements. | ||
| Analogous Color Scheme Analogous color schemes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel (plus tints, shades, and tones of those neighboring hues). They usually "match" well and create serene and comfortable designs.
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| Make sure you have enough contrast when choosing an analogous color scheme. Analogous color combinations are often found in nature. | ||
| Complementary Color Scheme Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are considered to be complementary colors (for example: red and cyan). The high contrast of complementary colors creates a vibrant look especially when used at full saturation. This color scheme must be managed well so it is not jarring. |
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| Complementary color schemes are tricky to use in large doses, but work well when you want something to stand out. Complementary colors are really bad for text. | ||
The Split-Complementary color scheme is a variation of the complementary color scheme. In addition to a base color, use the two colors adjacent to its complement. Choose 1 color, |
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The Split-Complementary color scheme has the same strong visual contrast as the complementary color scheme, but has less tension. |
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The Triad color scheme uses colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. To use a triadic harmony successfully, the colors should be carefully balanced - let one color dominate and use the two others for accent. |
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| Triadic color schemes can be quite vibrant, even if you use tints or shades versions of your hues. | ||
Other color schemes include tint only color scheme; shade only color scheme; Tetrad color scheme (4 equally spaced colors); Neutral color scheme; Accented Neutral color scheme; Warm color scheme; Cool color scheme; and others.
Extras
Color Scheme Designer |
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Pictaculous |
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Assignments
Note: All three Assignments are on 9x12" Bristol Board sheets. Each composition measures 6" square with a 1 1/2" border on all four sides. Below that is a pallet which measures 1" high, 3, 5 or 6" wide. Place the name of the color scheme below the palette.
Note: entire 6" square should be painted... any white areas of the composition should be painted with white paint and NOT just left blank.
Three free studies of color schemes. (You create the compositions.)
- Variety of color (minimum 10 areas with different color mixes)
- Interesting composition and use of color
- Neat presentation
- Analogous Color Scheme composition / with pallet | Use three closley related hues. ( three or four closely neighboring hues on the color wheel). Make your design using these colors and any mixtures of the hues plus their tints and shades. The pallet should have the three or four different colors that you used as well as plain white and black (5 - 6 color chips total).
- Complementary or Split Complementary Color Scheme composition / with pallet | Use ONLY the two complements and their mixtures, plus white (NO black). For the pallet, paint the two complements on the outside squares. The middle square should be a neutral gray mixed from these two colors. (3 color chips total).
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use a hue plus its two split-complementary hues and their mixtures, plus white (NO black). The design can include any mixtures of the two complements as well as white (not black). For the pallet, paint the three hues used. (3 color chips total).
- Triad Color Scheme composition / with pallet | Use only three equally spaced hues plus their tints and shades. Do not intermix the three hues, except with black or white.The pallet should include the three hues in your chosen triad as well as plain white and black (5 color chips total).