Choosing your colours
Primary Colours:
Primary colours consist of three colours, yellow, red, and blue. It is these three colours that create all other colours. These colours together are very bold and contrasting.
Secondary Colours:
Secondary colours are created by mixing two primary colours together, hence there are 3. For example, orange, is created when mixing yellow and red; green, is created when mixing yellow and blue; and purple is created when mixing blue and red.
Tertiary Colours:
Tertiary colours are created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour, hence there are 6. For example, orangey-red is created by mixing red with orange; greenish-yellow is created by mixing yellowy with green; and greenish-blue is created by mixing blue with green, etc.
Complementary Colours:
Complementary colours are two colours that are directly opposite to each other on the colour wheel. For example, blue/orange; red/green; and purple/blue. This colour scheme is also bold and contrasting.
Monochromatic:
Monochromatic is once colour in various levels of intensity and saturation. For example Royal blue, Navy Blue, and Baby blue are monochromatic. Neutral black, white and grey can be included in a monochromatic scheme.
Harmonious Colours:
Harmonious colours are two colours side by side on the colour wheel. For example red and orangey red, or blue and purplish blue.
Analagous Colours:
Analagous colours are three colours side by side on the colour wheel. For example blue, purplish blue, and greenish blue are analogous as is yellow, orangey yellow and greenish yellow are too.
Triadic Colours:
Triadic colours are three colours that are the same distance from each other on the colour wheel. For example green, orange and purple or yellow, red, and blue.
Other terms relating to colour
Hue:
The saturation, purity and intensity of a colour. The more intense a colour, the more of the pure colour is added.
Value:
The lightness or darkness of any colour which is created by mixing white or black to a colour.
Tint:
The brightness or lightness of a colour which is created by mixing white to any colour.
Shade:
The darkness of a colour which is created by mixing black to any colour.
Tone:
Any colour mixed with grey.
Neutral:
Black, white, grey, beige, crème are all neutral and would go well with all colours. They can be used as the accent in its purest form or mixed in with any colour to lighten or darken the colour.
Warm:
Orange, red, yellow and everything in between on the colour wheel.
Cool:
Blue, purple, green and everything in between on the colour wheel.
Getting down to choosing your colours!
With a better understanding of the colour wheel, you are now ready to choose your palette by first determining a few things.
You may want to first consider if you would like to have warm colours or cool colours, contrasting colours or harmonizing colours. Keep in mind that colours that lay side by side or close together on the colour wheel will be harmonious and flowing. Colours that are opposite from each other on the colour wheel will be contrasting, bold and dramatic. Once you have decided on your palette you can choose various hues and values of your chosen colour(s) to create and interesting theme.
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