Basic Techniques for creating color schemes

The color wheel or color circle is the basic tool for combining colors. The first circular color diagram was designed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666. The color wheel is designed so that virtually any colors you pick from it will look good together. Over the years, many variations of the basic design have been made, but the most common version is a wheel of 12 colors based on the RYB (or artistic) color model. Traditionally, there are a number of color combinations that are considered especially pleasing. These are called color harmonies or color chords and they consist of two or more colors with a fixed relation in the color wheel.

Below are shown the basic color chords based on the color wheel.

Complementary color scheme

Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are considered to be complementary colors (example: red and green).

Analogous color scheme

This color schemes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. They usually match well and create serene and comfortable designs.

Triadic color scheme

It uses colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel.

Split-Complementary color scheme

It is a variation of the complementary color scheme. In addition to the base color, it uses the two colors adjacent to its complement.

Rectangle (tetradic) color scheme

This color scheme uses four colors arranged into two complementary pairs. This rich color scheme offers plenty of possibilities for variation.

Square color scheme

It is similar to the rectangle, but with all four colors spaced evenly around the color circle.