True Complementary Colours
True complimentary colours are any two colours located directly opposite each other across the colour wheel.
For example, the true complement of Yellow, is Violet (Purple).
For Red, it's Green and for Blue, it's Orange.
The true complementary colour scheme will make both colours appear more vibrant and produces a stronger contrast than other colour schemes, this draws maximum attention.
For example, the true complement of Yellow, is Violet (Purple).
For Red, it's Green and for Blue, it's Orange.
The true complementary colour scheme will make both colours appear more vibrant and produces a stronger contrast than other colour schemes, this draws maximum attention.
Split Complementary Colours
Split complementary colours are based on three colours. It uses one colour on one side of the colours and then takes the two colours either side of its true complement.
For example, if Yellow is your main colour - the true complement would be Violet (Purple), for the split complementary simply jump to the two colours either side of Violet, in this case, Red-Violet and Blue-Violet.
The split complementary colour scheme provides high contrast without the strong tension of the true complementary scheme.
For example, if Yellow is your main colour - the true complement would be Violet (Purple), for the split complementary simply jump to the two colours either side of Violet, in this case, Red-Violet and Blue-Violet.
The split complementary colour scheme provides high contrast without the strong tension of the true complementary scheme.
TRIADIC COMPLEMENTARY COLOURS
Triadic complementary colours are based on three that are equally spaced out around the colour wheel. They would fit on the corners of an equilateral triangle placed on top of the wheel.
For example, Orange, Green and Violet (Purple) are triadic complements.
The most common triadic complementary colours are the Primaries, Yellow, red and Blue.
Triadic complementary colours are based on three that are equally spaced out around the colour wheel. They would fit on the corners of an equilateral triangle placed on top of the wheel.
For example, Orange, Green and Violet (Purple) are triadic complements.
The most common triadic complementary colours are the Primaries, Yellow, red and Blue.
Double Complementary Colours
Double complementary colours are a combination of four colours. It can also be viewed as two overlapping true complements. The double complements are spaced on both sides of an imaginary true complement.
For example, here the true complements are Yellow-Orange and Blue-Violet. The double complements would be made up of the two colours either side of Yellow-Orange and the two colours either side of Blue-Violet.
In this case the colour scheme would be Yellow and Violet plus Orange and Blue.
For example, here the true complements are Yellow-Orange and Blue-Violet. The double complements would be made up of the two colours either side of Yellow-Orange and the two colours either side of Blue-Violet.
In this case the colour scheme would be Yellow and Violet plus Orange and Blue.
Here are some examples of how complementary colours can be used in paintings
