Complementary Color Scheme Painting

When a painting is made using a complementary color scheme the result is usually very vibrant and high contrast.

Complementary color scheme painting. Complementary color scheme yellow purple. Painting tips for complementary colors as mentioned earlier reduce the intensity of any color thats too bright by adding a speck of its complementary. For instance the complementary color to yellow is purple which is a mix of blue and red. It is similar to the complementary color scheme but one of the complements is split.

Before committing to a complementary color scheme make sure you understand the color wheel. As in the other color schemes you will get better results if one of the colors is dominant while the other is used as an accent. In their most basic form they are one primary color and the secondary color that is created by mixing the other two primaries. A split complementary color scheme utilizes a base color and two secondary colors.

If youre going for drama using complementary colors is the easiest way to achieve that dramatic effect. The two colors are located across each other on the color wheel. Below is an example of a split complementary color scheme by claude monet with orange contrasting against the greens and blues. The segments of the color wheel represent the science behind color and show how colors relate to each other.

Because complementary colors are opposite of each other they create a dynamic look when paired together. A successful complementary color scheme requires a careful balance of daring and moderation but when done right the effect can be both tasteful and exciting.