COLOR WHEEL

A color wheel (also referred to as a color circle) is a visual representation

of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship. Begin a color wheel by
positioning primary hues equidistant from one another, then create a bridge between
primaries using secondary and tertiary colors.
COLOR TERMINOLOGY

Primary Colors: Colors at their basic essence; those colors that cannot be
created by mixing others.

Secondary Colors: Those colors achieved by a mixture of two primaries.

Tertiary Colors: Those colors achieved by a mixture of primary and

secondary hues.

Complementary Colors: Those colors located opposite each other on a

color wheel.
 Analogous Colors: Those colors located close together on a color wheel.

COLOR COMBINATIONS
Color combinations may pass unnoticed when pleasing, yet offend dramatically when
compositions seem to clash. One outcome we seek in the final form or composition, is a
successful use of color.

We determine whether or not we are successful by critically assessing the visual balance and
harmony of the final composition—balance and harmony are achieved by the visual contrast
that exists between color combinations. Planning a successful color combination begins with
the investigation, and understanding, of color relationships.

Using a color wheel and a template, the relationships between colors are easy to identify.

Monochromatic Relationship Colors that are shade or tint variations of

the same hue.

Complementary Relationship Those colors across from each other on a

color wheel.
 Split-Complementary Relationship One hue plus two others equally
spaced from its complement.

Double-Complementary Relationship Two complementary color sets; the

distance between selected complementary pairs will effect the overall contrast of the final
composition.

Analogous Relationship Those colors located adjacent to each other on a

color wheel.

Triad Relationship Three hues equally positioned on a color wheel.

hades, tints and tones

You can create shades, tints and tones of a color by adding black, grey and white to
a base hue.
Shade

A shade is created by adding black to a base hue, darkening the color. This creates
a deeper, richer color. Shades can be quite dramatic and can be overpowering.

Tint

A tint is created by adding white to a base hue, lightening the color. This can make
a color less intense, and is useful when balancing more vivid color combinations.

Tones

A tone is created by combining black and white—or grey—with a base hue. Like
tints, tones are subtler versions of the original color. Tones are less likely to look
pastel, and can reveal complexities not apparent in the base color.

Hue, Saturation and Luminance

A hue is basically any color on the color wheel. When you are using a color wheel
or a color picker, you can adjust the saturation and luminance of a hue.
Saturation is the intensity or purity of the color.
Luminance is the amount of brightness or light in a color.