We experience our world through color. As light hits the surfaces of our surroundings, wavelengths are reflected, and our eyes and brain work together to interpret these wavelengths into the colors we see. Have you ever wondered why some colors are pleasing to the eye or why other colors feel so calming? Does it have to do with those wavelengths?

The colors surrounding us constantly influence our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and perceptions. Some combinations of colors feel more pleasing to us, while others feel dissatisfying. Some colors make us feel certain moods, like positivity or sadness. There are so many aspects and rules when it comes to color—these are explored in Color Theory.

The infamous Isaac Newton created the first color wheel in the 17th century, after experimenting with prisms and the properties of white light. Through these experimentations, Newton proposed that there were three colors which other colors could be derived from–these are the primary colors we use today, yellow, red, and blue. He organized his findings of color relationships into a circular shape, which provided the foundations for the color wheel we use today! Newton’s discoveries in light and color have paved the way for scientists and artists alike to analyze color and how it influences our perceptions.

What colors make up the color wheel?

Primary colors are those that cannot be created by mixing other colors, and they are typically defined as red, yellow, and blue.

Secondary colors are created by mixing primary colors. Red and yellow make orange, red and blue make purple, while blue and yellow make green.

The tertiary colors are the in-between colors, which come from mixing a primary color with the secondary colors next to it. Red-orange, for example, comes from mixing the primary color red and the secondary color orange.

What color relationships can we find on the color wheel?

A color scheme with monochromatic colors is made up of variations of a singular hue (see definition below). The use of monochromatic colors can be useful in creating a sense of cohesion or creating a certain mood for a piece. However, it can be difficult to achieve a balanced, varied piece, which can bore the eye.

Split-complementary colors are a triad, rather than a pair of complementary colors. Instead of choosing the complementary color directly across the wheel, the two colors next to it are chosen. This can allow a color scheme to have more variation compared to a normal complementary pair, but they tend to be less eye-catching and vibrant.

Complementary colors are defined as color pairs that are opposite from each other on the color wheel. For example, blue’s complementary color is orange. These colors create the highest amount of contrast–they are like a juxtaposition, and each color stimulates different parts of the eye. Because of this, when complementary colors are used, a design feels like it has more balance, and tends to be very visually appealing.

Triadic colors are a set of three colors that are equal distances from each other. The equal distance means there is no dominance in a single color. They look vibrant, yet harmonious.

Analogous colors are a triad, consisting of three colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Using an analogous color scheme creates a sense of cohesiveness in a piece, adding to the visual appeal, and helping develop a specific mood or emotion in a piece.

Tetradic colors are a quad of colors, using two different pairs of complementary colors. Because of the use of very high-contrast pairs, these color schemes tend to be quite aggressive and eye-catching but can be hard to balance.

  • Hue describes the dominant wavelength of color, or where it will appear on the color wheel. It is the essential shade of color.

  • Saturation refers to the intensity of a color. If a color has less saturation, it will look greyer. If it has more saturation, the color will be purer and more intense.

  • The value of a color refers to how dark or light a color is. A light value would lean more toward white, while a dark value will lean more toward black.

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