Full Wheel
Complementary
Analogous
Split Complementary
Triad
Square
Rectangle
A color wheel is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship. It is a circular diagram where colors are typically organized according to their hue. The primary purpose of a color wheel is to show the relationship between different hues and to give guidance on color harmony and the creation of color schemes.
Complementary
- - Comprised of two colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel.
- - Creates a high contrast and vibrant look.
- - Examples: Blue and orange, red and green, purple and yellow.
Analogous
- - Involves colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.
- - Usually matches well and creates serene and comfortable designs.
- - Often includes one dominant color, with the others supporting.
- - Examples: Red, orange, and red-orange; blue, blue-green, and green.
Split Complementary
- - A variation of the complementary color scheme but with less tension.
- - Includes one base color and the two colors adjacent to its complementary.
- - Offers strong visual contrast, but with more nuance than a straight complementary scheme.
- - Examples: Blue, yellow-orange, and red-orange.
Triad
- - A triadic color scheme involves three colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel, creating an equilateral triangle.
- - This scheme is very popular and offers visual contrast while retaining balance and color richness.
- - Examples: Red, yellow, and blue; orange, green, and purple.
Square
- - The square color scheme includes four colors evenly spaced on the color wheel, forming a square.
- - Offers plenty of contrast while still retaining harmony.
- - It’s crucial to balance the colors well, as this scheme can be overwhelming if not managed carefully.
- - Examples: Red, green, cyan, and violet.
Rectangle
- - Similar to the square but with colors forming a rectangle on the color wheel.
- - It utilizes two pairs of complementary colors, but with one color dominating and the others serving as accents.
- - Examples: Blue, orange, red-orange, and blue-green.
