The color wheel, a foundation of color theory, was first introduced by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666. While experimenting with light and prisms, he discovered that when light passed through a prism, it separated into a beautiful spectrum of colors—like a rainbow. Fascinated, he mapped these colors in a circle, creating what we now know as the color wheel. This invention has since become the base of color theory, helping artists and designers understand how colors interact with each other.
Types of Colors
Primary Colors:
These are the base of all other colors—Red, Blue, and Yellow. No color can be made by mixing other colors together.
Secondary Colors:
These are created by mixing two primary colors—Orange, Green, and Purple. They lie between the primary colors on the color wheel.
Tertiary Colors:
A beautiful blend of primary and secondary colors, these colors include Red-Orange, Yellow-Green, Green-Blue, Blue-Violet, and Red-Violet. They’re more complex and offer a greater range of shades.
Color Combinations
Monochromatic:
This scheme involves using different tints, shades, and tones of a single color. It’s harmonious but can be quite striking if used creatively.
Analogous:
Three colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel, creating a harmonious and comfortable feeling.
Complementary:
These are colors that sit directly across from each other on the wheel, like Red and Green or Blue and Orange. The high contrast between these pairs makes them vibrant and eye-catching.
Triadic:
This combination uses three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel, such as Red, Yellow, and Blue. It’s perfect for creating a balanced and lively color scheme with diversity.
Tetradic:
This scheme incorporates four colors, arranged in two complementary pairs. It’s the most diverse color combo, offering a wide variety of contrasts while maintaining harmony.
RELATED STORIES:
https://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_theory
https://www.canva.com/colors/color-wheel/
https://www.figma.com/resource-library/what-is-color-theory/
TAKE ACTION:
https://colorhunt.co/palettes/
