Colour theory - Part 2

Colour Theory - Part 2

I've talked about primary and secondary colours, so now I'm going to introduce to you the concept of complementary colours.

Complementary Colours

Colours that sit opposite each other on the colour wheel are complementary, meaning they are aesthetically pleasing when paired together. When the paint colours themselves are mixed together, they will create a neutral brown or black colour.

• Purple and yellow
• Blue and orange
• Red and green

I have created neutrals based on these complementary colour combinations.

• Country Grey - red and green
• Paloma - purple and yellow
• Paris Grey - blue and orange

How to Use Complementary Colours

If you use a neutral consisting of complementary colours, the theory goes that accents of these complementary colours will sit alongside the neutral very cohesively. It can also work in the reverse; if you have a very bold blue colour, a neutral that contains a blue tone will look really beautiful alongside it.