Harmonious color combinations. Color theory

Now we know how colors are formed, our second goal is to learn about how colors combine with each other. Why some color schemes I work, but some don’t? There are certain methods that allow you to choose colors so that they blend harmoniously with each other. To work we will need a color wheel.

The first harmonious combination of colors monochrome (single color). It is performed on the basis of color and its shades within one sector of the color wheel.

Why does this scheme work? Monochrome color combinations work because they are simple and straightforward. There is a sense of unity in this scheme because all the shades are derived from the same color. In this combination, visual interest can be directed towards a specific element by choosing a brighter and more saturated hue. Take a look at the six samples above. Your eyes wandering through the shades of blue color, invariably return to sample No. 2, since it is the brightest here. This is a great example of how to highlight an object in a solid color scheme.

Use a monochrome scheme when you want to achieve a sense of unity and cohesion. When you need to combine many competing parts. In addition, this scheme is useful for those who are just learning to work with color, as it is the simplest and most understandable.

The second harmonious combination is a combination of adjacent colors on the color wheel. These colors are called similar or related . And the color scheme is called analog or harmonious .

An analogue color scheme uses multiple colors that are nearby on the color wheel. For example: orange/yellow-orange/yellow or yellow-green/green/turquoise. You can choose two, three or four colors.

Why does this scheme work? Analogous colors transform into each other gradually and harmoniously by combining similar secondary and tertiary colors. For our perception this makes sense. Related colors form combinations that are familiar to us from childhood as combinations of the colors of the rainbow. We know that red is followed by orange, and green is followed by cyan, indigo and violet. In addition, related colors have some common color in their composition. For example, for green, yellow and orange it is yellow.

Use an analog circuit when you want to create a combination of more than one color, but still want a sense of unity. Also, if you want to create a model of classical harmony. Use one of the brightest shades of color to draw attention to a specific part of your look.

Variation analog circuit is split-analog scheme. This scheme still uses multiple colors, but the colors are chosen one at a time. This scheme becomes more dynamic and interesting.

The following color scheme is called contrasting . It is formed complimentary (complementary) colors, i.e. colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. Using such color combinations requires a lot of experience, as the schemes turn out to be very bold and bright. Examples of such schemes: red and green, orange and blue, yellow and purple, etc.

Why do such schemes work? Complementary colors enhance each other and appear in all their glory. Red never looks redder than next to green, and vice versa. In addition, in such a pair, a warm color is combined with a cold one, which is a natural contradiction and an intriguing factor for our consciousness. Our minds unconsciously strive for harmony in everything, including color combinations, so when we see natural tension between complementary colors, our minds force us to stop and look.

Use complementary colors when you want maximum contrast and want to draw attention to the overall image. Changing the degree of lightness and (or) saturation of one of the colors of the pair will make this combination more harmonious, since it is quite difficult to combine two bright colors in an image.

Variation on the theme of contrasting scheme - split-contrast scheme. In this scheme, we do not choose the color that is located directly opposite the one we have chosen, but the colors that are next to it on both sides. So instead of red/green we choose the scheme: red/yellow-green/blue-green.

Recommendations for using this scheme are the same as for using the previous one. Additionally, you can use split-contrast colors if you don't want to look bland, want to add a little more drama, or just want to play with color.

The next scheme that I want to tell you about is called triad . This scheme uses three equidistant colors on the color wheel. For example: red/yellow/blue or red-violet/yellow-orange/blue-green.

I recently resumed my drawing and painting lessons, and I want to tell you about color combinations. In any situation when it comes to color, there are good and bad combinations of shades. Whether it's a manicure or clothing, a drawn card or even a home renovation, it's always important to choose a beautiful and interesting color combination.

With regard to clothing, this is even more important, if you can paint your house and your favorite bedroom in any shades you like, and invite only loved ones there, then clothing is the most important social tool that allows us to form the first opinion about each other, and therefore we cannot allow your clothes said the wrong thing about you. How to choose good shades and choose interesting pairs? What are the rules about this? How to choose any tones with shine?

The easiest way to choose suitable shade- use the color wheel. It is divided into 12 sectors and represents the primary colors. Also, each sector is graduated from light (in the center) to dark (along the edge). What can we deduce from this circle?

1. White harmonizes with absolutely any tone and makes it brighter.
2. Black will help dilute any ensemble and at the same time give it depth.
3. Complementary and similar color neighborhoods are visible.
4. You can derive triads, tetrads and squares.

What is a complementary pair? These are colors that are located opposite each other on the color wheel. Red and green, blue and orange, purple and yellow. In order not to miss, it is best to choose shades of the same lightness and saturation - equidistant sectors from the center.

This good combination, and most often it is used by many clothing lines - they produce the same models in complementary shades, and then if you buy a purple blouse, you can always choose a pistachio skirt to go with it (and vice versa).

Similar pairs- those that stand next to each other on the color wheel. Such pairs are often found in architectural compositions. Surely you have seen when a house is painted light lemon, and the architectural elements - slopes and cornices, balustrades and architraves - are green. This solution is also found very often in accessories - for example, it is much easier to find yellow shoes with orange trim than yellow ones with blue or purple.

Triads, tetrads and squares are patterns that are drawn according to a special shape on the color wheel. For a triad it is a triangle, for a tetrad it is a rectangle, and a square speaks for itself.

Look at different color wheels to understand the principle, and you will never go wrong in choosing the right shade.

Neutral

Neutral colors are called black, white and gray - they go with almost everything and look good together. However, it should also be taken into account that a person dressed in black or gray from head to toe is bad manners; monochrome outfits have long become a sign of bad taste. In the summer, it is appropriate to be dressed in white from head to toe, but here accessories can help maintain the brightness - a bag, shoes, bright jewelry and details.

Any combination gray must be well balanced. As a rule, pure fabrics or accessories are rarely found on sale. gray shade, most often the color has a cold or warm undertone. Accordingly, when choosing color combinations with gray, you need to look at:

• to the warmth of gray;
• on the warmth of the selected color;
• on the lightness of two shades and their compatibility.

Warmth of Gray

Gray can be warm or cool.

Warm shades are best combined with warm tones - yellow, orange, red, pink, crimson.

Cool gray looks perfect if you add blue, lilac, green or blue to it.

Warmth of the chosen color

Even yellow can be cold. It is best to choose those paints whose temperature corresponds to the main temperature of the color. Warm yellow and cool blue look good with cool gray.

Lightness

This is the position that the chosen color would occupy on a stretch from darkest to lightest. It is best if the gray does not compete with his partner. Can't choose? Choose the brightest shades or pastel colors, and it is better to refrain from dark ones.

Warm

Warm colors on the color wheel range from yellow to violet. This is a pleasant range that lifts the mood and gives a feeling of warmth and light. However, choosing color pairs here is not so easy. Naturally, when I talk about the proximity of red or yellow, these are those combinations where the color I indicated is the main one (that is, it predominates visually).

The best combination of red is with white, blue and black. These are pure shades that were worn by kings and queens; this range (without black) is represented on the Russian tricolor and the flags of other states. Use pure shades, and then you can definitely be confident in your choice.

The combination of burgundy color with shades of blue and gray turns out to be interesting. In general, any berry tones will suit burgundy. But it is better to choose green tones with a cool undertone.

Great combination Brown with beige - you get a pleasant chocolate combination. Shades of cocoa and coffee, tea and milk, pastries and ivory - many color combinations with brown evoke thoughts of desserts.

Naturally, warm tones go well together - brown and light orange look great together, and the combination of red, orange and yellow was once ultra-fashionable.

Want to add some flair to the combination? Try complex tones. Combine brown with plum, beige and blackberry, warm inky and cool turquoise. Yes, don't forget about the brown and mint color combination. The combination of mint and chocolate evokes thoughts of entertainment, pleasure and relaxation.

Do you like extravagance? Add some accessories in a deep shade - for example, cobalt blue will set off orange or pink well, and turquoise looks good on shades of yellow and green.

Cold

Cool colors are those from green to purple. These are shades of grass and water, cool and refreshing, they bring peace and tranquility. If you want to use cool shades in the interior, then it is best to give preference to bright, clean colors, the compatibility of which is very high with other colors.

The best combination for the home is dark blue with white and red. Moreover, red should be a highlight, there should not be a lot of it, but it’s better not to skimp on blue.

My favorite shade is turquoise, also called turquoise and Tiffany's favorite shade. Turquoise color goes well with a variety of shades. You can choose warm pink and rich orange, which can beautifully set off the turquoise color. An interesting combination of turquoise shade is obtained with coral - the reddish-red palette emphasizes the turquoise color well.

It is also worth trying a combination of blue with cold yellow and light green tones, and blue will help to set off green tones. In general, the combination of green with yellow and blue is classic for spring and spring holidays, so try to find your own solutions in this color scheme (and don’t forget to look at the color wheel).

Try to pay more attention to the combination of blue with other colors - this year the Panton company announced Classic Blue as the shade of 2020, so it would be a shame not to get a couple of blue wardrobe items and buy some blue jewelry for your home. By the way, you can choose beautiful color combinations with blue online - color palette will be compiled automatically.

Do you want to make interesting combinations? purple? Try light cool colors - lilac, pink, green. Don't like deep purple? Try lilac and lavender, and don't forget lilac.

Different ideas

Can't figure out the combinations yellow color with other colors? Check out original and classic schemes of matching shades.

Looking for beautiful schemes based on brown with others? Save these diagrams for yourself - if the table is always at hand, then you can match all the tones to brown.

Remember that the combination of orange and black is sultry and hot!

Do you want to create a palette in cold colors? Then combinations of lilac with cold tones - blue, emerald, blue and gray are at your service.

Now you know almost as much about color combinations as professional artists, which means that you will definitely be able to choose any color combinations - whether for the perfect wardrobe or for a wonderful renovation!

This article continues the series of materials "Complete Guide on color theory for knitters." If you have not read the previous articles, I recommend that you read them before continuing to read this article.

Part 3. Harmonious combinations

In the first and second parts, we looked at the color wheel, learned that it consists of primary, secondary and tertiary colors, and figured out the characteristics of color. In this article we will look at the main color schemes that the best way combine colors and examples of the use of these patterns in the works of designers from the popular website for knitters ravelry.com.

Traditional color schemes

There are six main color schemes for harmonious combinations. Let's consider how they can help in selecting yarn for knitting our products.

We already talked about complementary colors in the first part of the guide. Let me remind you that complementary, or complementary, colors are those colors that are in opposite rays of the color wheel. For example, these are purple and yellow, red and green, lime green and red-violet, and so on. These colors complement each other perfectly, emphasizing and enhancing the color. The greatest contrast of these colors appears in pure spectral shades of color. Most often, such colors are not used in equal proportions, but only as an accent in the form of finishing or small inclusions. By using washed out or darker shades from complementary colors, you can combine these colors without fear of tearing your eyes out, and in greater or almost equal proportions.

Taiga by Svetlana Volkova

In this example, we can see how the designer has used complementary colors in equal proportions, but in their washed out form, the colors on the color wheel are close to the center. Remember that you can use any shade from the rays of complementary colors.

Separated complementary colors are the use of a color from a ray adjacent to a complementary one, both on one side of it and on the other. Using this color scheme also has a very strong color contrast, but with less strain on the eyes. The choice of such colors can be used in pairs in any combination, or in a trio of colors, choosing one color as the main color and the other two to place accents in the pattern. This color scheme is especially great for beginners as it always looks great!

The Life Aquaticby Serena Murphy

In this example, the designer used one of the separated complementary colors as the main one, and the second of its pair and the opposite one as an accent to create a pattern for the yoke. The sweater looks fresh and is not overloaded with color.

Colors found in three adjacent rays are called analogous. So similar colors would be red-violet, red and red-orange or red-orange, orange and yellow-orange. You can start counting three similar colors with any color. To summarize, the scheme of analogous colors will be any color from the ray of the color wheel and two adjacent colors. And here you can choose any shades from these rays.

Kiyomi by Barbara Gregory

This example clearly shows how very similar colors combine with each other. In order to knit jacquard from such colors, pay attention that they are contrasting in the degree of lightness (brightness). If you don’t have enough of this contrast, the contrast pattern will simply be lost. If you doubt the correct color choice, then simply knit a sample, take a photo of it and convert it in any editor into a black and white image. If the pattern is clearly expressed, then you were not mistaken and you can safely knit the product with the chosen pattern in the chosen color combination!

The triadic color harmony scheme uses three colors that are equidistant from each other on the color wheel. If you connect points equidistant from the center in the rays of these colors, you will get an equilateral triangle. Combinations of these colors are quite vibrant, even if you use desaturated or faded tones from this color scheme. Therefore, process colors in patterns should be carefully balanced, allowing one color to dominate and the other two to be used as an accent.

Byzantine Pullover by Tanis Lavalee

In this example, we see that in the triadic color scheme of the ornament, blue-green was chosen as the dominant color, and yellow and purple were chosen to accent the ornament. To prevent the sweater from being overloaded with color, the designer placed the pattern on a neutral gray color.

Tetraid harmony uses four colors and consists of two complementary pairs. If you connect the points on these rays with a line, you get a rectangle. This is a very rich color scheme. But you need to be careful when choosing such a scheme in your work so as not to overload the work. The colors in this color scheme are difficult to coordinate with each other in equal proportions, so it is better to choose one dominant color and the rest to soften it. In addition, you should pay attention to the balance of warm and cool tones.

Summer In Tokyo by Marianne Isager

In this example you can see what dominates Orange color, although very little of it is used. The remaining colors balance it out with their proportions. In addition, we see here a balance of warm and cold tones: cool pale blue and purple bring down the intensity of warm orange and yellow.

Monochrome harmony combines all the colors from one ray of the color wheel; these are shades of one pure spectral color of varying degrees of brightness (lightness and darkness). This is a soft, balanced color scheme that always produces beautiful results when using colors of any degree of contrast.

Teal Colorblock Sweater by Melissa Leapman

This example uses three monochrome shades. The most remarkable thing is that this color scheme can be easily used and not made a mistake when using different textures and thicknesses of yarn, different yarn compositions: fluffy and smooth types of yarn, loose and dense knits, the use of lurex for finishing.

So, let's summarize all of the above. We looked at six basic color schemes that represent harmonious combinations.

1. Complementary or complementary colors - two colors located opposite each other on the color wheel. Quite a bold choice for combinations; you need to use unequal proportions or diluted shades.

2. Divided complementary harmony - three colors, two colors of which are located next to the opposite color on the color wheel. A combination that is softer than complementary harmony.

3. Color schemes of analogous colors are very harmonious and use three adjacent tones on the color wheel.

4. A triadic color scheme forms a triangle of equidistant colors. Combinations from this color scheme tend to be bright and dramatic.

5. Tetraid color schemes use two sets of complementary colors. This color scheme may be difficult to work with, but... the right approach The result is quite rich combinations.

6. Finally, monochrome harmony is soft and win-win, using shades from one ray of the color wheel.

We reviewed the basics of color theory, color characteristics and color schemes of harmonious combinations. In the next article we will talk about the so-called neutral tones that are used in clothing design, and how to use colors and neutrals together in several classic combinations.

Harmony can be said to be a regular combination of colors, but not every pattern can lead to harmony.

In addition, it is impossible to analyze harmonic combinations measurably from human tastes and views that developed in a particular historical era.

There are not and cannot be beautiful or unbeautiful flowers, harmonious and disharmonious, it all depends on the environment of a different color and other factors. For example:

1. The same color, depending on the environment, can cause both pleasant and unpleasant sensations.

2. Colors that do not combine with each other can be made harmonious by changing the texture of the material and the nature of the surface.

3. Often colors that are not combined on a plane begin to interact in a completely different way in the process of forming a product (suit, jewelry, shoes, etc.).

4. Sometimes colors in equal quantities form unconvincing combinations, but when one of the colors changes, they get along well with each other.

color balance

In other words, color harmony meanscolor balance . Such a ratio, such qualities of both colors, in which they do not seem alien to each other.

Moving on to the harmonious combination of colors, there are four (4) their main groups:

1. Solid harmonious color combinations.

2. Harmonic combinations of related colors.

3. Harmonic combinations of related and contrasting colors.

4. Harmonious combination of contrasting and complementary colors.

Single-tone harmonic combinations.

The basis of monochromatic harmonious combinations is one (1) color tone, which is present in varying quantities in the compositions; these colors differ only in light saturation.

The overall light tone gives the monochromatic composition a calm, balanced character.

When the colors are at the same interval from each other, the composition evokes a feeling of special peace and stability.

For single-color compositions, the ratio of the areas occupied by each tone is very important. In any monochromatic composition of a clothing model, or jewelry, or souvenir, the first place will be the selection of colors to suit the individual appearance and the constructive - decorative line of the product will be very clearly read.

Harmonic combinations of related colors.

Related colors in the color wheel include all intermediate colors between adjacent main ones, including one of them.

The main colors located nearby are not related to each other.

There are four (4) groups of related colors in the color wheel system:

1. Yellow - green;

2. Yellow - red;

3. Blue - green;

4. Blue - red.

Moreover, in each group there can be two (2) options, when one (1) of the main colors acts as the leader.

A set of related colors is more dynamic than monochromatic ones. Their harmony is based on the similarity of color tones (the principle of Nuance).

For them, it is important to find the amount of area occupied by the main color: too little or too much can make the composition unconvincing.

Just as in monochromatic compositions, in related compositions the harmony of the line, the characteristics of the color spot, and the rhythmic organization of the pattern, line and spots are very important.

The combination of related and contrasting

constitute the most extensive type of color harmonies.

In the system of color wheels, related - contrasting colors are located in adjacent quarters:

Yellow - red;

Yellow - green;

Blue - green;

Blue - red;

Yellow - green;

Blue - green;

Yellow - red;

Blue - red.

The following combinations of related and contrasting colors are particularly harmonious:

In a color composition, it is good to combine colors that lie on opposite ends of the spectrum ( Chords), With to varying degrees darkness or whiteness. The combination gives the most interesting compositions two (2) chords, at the same time, some of their ends are located nearby (see figure), and the chords themselves are perpendicular to each other (see figure).

An important condition for training a competent artist is to consolidate the basic rules and foundations on which everything rests. art. The basis of such a subject as painting is the concept harmonious color combinations. What it is, how it is obtained and used, we will look at in this article.

Key to the concept harmony is a definition that, in a concise form, fully conveys the entire meaning. There are many descriptions and versions known from ancient Greek sources, starting from the 5th century BC, where Harmony was described as - coordination of opposing elements, something integral, formed from a combination of dissimilar entities. It’s not for nothing that this concept (before the word “harmony” was assigned to it) was described as concordia discors, which translates from Latin as “ dissenting agreement».

The very possibility of determining whether a particular combination of colors is harmonious appeared only after the color wheel system was firmly entrenched in art education (how this happened is written in detail in the article). Artists began to confidently use phrases such as: contrasting combinations, opposite combinations, triads of colors, etc. In order to understand each concept separately, the same color wheel will come to the rescue, on which it is easy to demonstrate and explain any action.

There are several main types of harmonious combinations:

• Monochrome (one-color) scheme
• Complementary (contrasting) scheme
• Analog (similar) circuit
• Split-analog circuit
• Split-contrast scheme
• Triadic(triads) scheme

Each of these schemes represents a harmonious combination based primarily on the physical and emotional perception of color by our eyes. Let's analyze each scheme in detail.

This circuit is also called monochrome, is formed on the basis of one color with the addition of black and white. On the color wheel, such a combination is placed within one sector.
The monochrome combination is the simplest and most understandable for visual analysis. Only one base color is used and many other shades are created from it. This scheme is used in painting and composition when it is necessary to highlight one object against the background of others, but at the same time preserve the integral impression of the work, simply by painting it in pure color (without adding white or black). Pure color, located among its derivative shades, immediately attracts attention, but, in general, the composition looks collected, and the combination looks elegant.

Complementary scheme.

This scheme is also called contrasting or complementary, since it combines completely opposite colors. The basis for creating a harmonious combination is the position of the colors in the circle. The mere fact that in the circle design they are located opposite each other shows how interconnected and balanced they are. Any contrasting combination taken from a circle is striking in that colors that have nothing in common complement and emphasize each other. It's a good idea to keep one color pure and the other toned down a bit, as two strong contrasting colors together look sharp. If you reduce the intensity of one color, then in this form the combination looks more natural and pleasing to the eye.

This scheme has several other names - similar And related. It received such names because it uses colors adjacent in position in the circle. Any color is taken as a basis, and the surrounding colors are added to it; there can be several such colors. For example, red is the main one, additional ones are orange, light orange, yellow and pink, on the other hand.
To create a harmonious combination, not just neighboring colors are selected, but colors that smoothly flow into one another, that is, each color contains a piece of the neighboring color. This combination works because it is familiar and familiar to us: in the colors of the rainbow, in the layout of colored pencils in the package. In an analog circuit, you can create bright dominants using one pure color, for example, blue, and surround it with light blue, cyan, blue-violet - this will be a harmonious color scheme with a pronounced center.

A complicated version of the analog circuit, colors that are close in position in the circle are also used here, but to select a harmonious combination, a suitable zone of the color wheel is selected, and colors are taken from it one at a time. More dynamic and interesting combinations are obtained, due to the fact that there is no intermediate color, original, non-standard selections are created.

This scheme is more difficult option contrasting scheme. Unlike the contrast scheme, colors are not selected here by direct opposition in a circle. One color is taken as a basis, the opposite one is found, and the colors adjacent to it are taken. The result is not red - green as in the contrast scheme, but a more picturesque red - blue-green and yellow-green.
This is not the complete opposite, but in terms of artistic perception it is very close to it. The split-contrast scheme is suitable for working in decorative technology, to create subtle pictorial reflections and the effect of color depth. One of the most popular schemes in painting.

This scheme is sometimes simply called color triad, since it consists of three colors equidistant from each other. Color circle allows you to select triads for every taste and for any task. Strength Such a scheme is its stability and harmony, since a balance is maintained between the distance and at the same time the relative relationship of colors. For our eyes this is a very comfortable and good combination. Often used in DPI and monumental painting.

We briefly examined the main harmonious color combinations that artists directly use. Information about correct selection colors accumulated over generations, at the beginning of the 20th century technology made it possible to scientifically prove the correctness of conclusions based only on visual assessment. Each combination corresponds to the natural position of colors in nature. An artist’s confident mastery of color composition skills greatly facilitates work and creative activity.

In our studio they follow the same principle, theory is translated into practice, students can immediately consolidate the information received in practice.