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What is an example of a color harmony?

Published in Color Theory 2 mins read

An example of a color harmony is the pairing of green with magenta and burnt orange, or red with turquoise and lime green.

Color harmony refers to the pleasing arrangement of colors based on their relationship to each other on the color wheel. These harmonies often create a sense of balance and aesthetic appeal. There are several established color harmonies, each with its own characteristic effect.

Here are some examples of color harmonies:

  • Complementary: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and violet. These pairings create high contrast and can be very vibrant.

  • Analogous: Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue, blue-green, and green, or red, red-orange, and orange. These harmonies create a harmonious and soothing effect.

  • Triadic: Three colors that are equally spaced on the color wheel, such as red, yellow, and blue, or green, orange, and violet. Triadic harmonies offer a balanced combination of vibrancy and harmony.

  • Split-Complementary: A color and the two colors adjacent to its complement, such as blue, yellow-orange, and red-orange. This offers high contrast similar to complementary but is generally less jarring.

  • Tetradic (Double Complementary): Two pairs of complementary colors, such as blue and orange paired with yellow and violet. These harmonies can be complex to balance but offer a wide range of color possibilities.

In the initial example, "green with magenta and burnt orange" might be considered a variation on split-complementary or triadic harmony depending on the exact shades. The combination is slightly less bold than a direct complementary harmony. Similarly, "red with turquoise and lime green" also provides an analogous split from the direct complement, creating a visually appealing balance.

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