Understanding color theory is essential for creating visually appealing designs. Learn how to use color relationships to create palettes that work.
The Color Wheel
The color wheel is the foundation of color theory, showing relationships between colors:
- Primary: Red, Yellow, Blue
- Secondary: Orange, Green, Purple
- Tertiary: Combinations of primary and secondary
Color Harmony Types
Complementary
Colors opposite on the wheel. High contrast, vibrant look.
Analogous
Colors next to each other. Harmonious, cohesive feel.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced. Balanced, vibrant.
Split-Complementary
Base color plus two adjacent to its complement. Softer than complementary.
Color Properties
- Hue: The color itself (red, blue, etc.)
- Saturation: Color intensity
- Lightness: How light or dark
Practical Tips
- Start with a dominant color
- Use 60-30-10 rule for balance
- Test colors in context
- Consider accessibility (contrast)
- Less is more - limit your palette
Our Color Palette Generator applies these principles automatically, helping you create professional color schemes.
