Red and black are two of the most visually striking colors. Their high contrast when placed next to each other makes them a popular color combination in graphic design, fashion, and home decor. But are red and black truly complementary colors according to color theory? Let’s take a more in-depth look at the concepts of color and color harmony to find out.
What are complementary colors?
In color theory, complementary colors are any two colors located directly across from each other on the color wheel. The color wheel organizes colors by hue, with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors placed at set intervals around the circle.
For a pair of colors to be complementary, they must have hues at opposite ends of the color spectrum. This creates the highest amount of visual contrast between them. When complementary colors are mixed, they cancel each other out to produce a neutral gray or brown tone.
Some examples of complementary color pairs are:
– Red and green
– Blue and orange
– Yellow and purple
When complementary colors are placed next to each other, they create a vibrant, high-contrast effect that grabs the viewer’s attention. The juxtaposition of opposites helps each color stand out more. This makes complementaries ideal for accent colors, graphics, color schemes, and other applications where bold color contrast is desired.
The color wheel positions of red and black
At first glance, red and black may seem like obvious complements. But when we analyze their positions on the color wheel, we find some nuances.
| Color | Color Wheel Position |
|---|---|
| Red | One of the three primary colors, located between magenta and orange |
| Black | Not located on the color wheel; a neutral color |
Red has a clear place as a primary color on the color wheel, halfway between the cooler and warmer spectrum. But black does not occupy any position on the wheel. That’s because black is not considered a hue. Rather, black is an achromatic color, meaning it is neutral and devoid of hue.
Black, white, and gray as complements
Black, white, and all shades of gray are achromatic colors. They are not defined by wavelengths of light like hues are. Instead, achromatics are defined by their lightness or value.
Because they are neutral on the color wheel, achromatic colors don’t have any true complements. But in practice, they are often treated as complements to brighter, more saturated hues when creating color schemes.
For example, black can provide contrast to make bright red even more vivid. White brings out the intensity in blue. And shades of gray tone down and complement brighter secondary colors like purple or green. This contrast of lightness levels is one way to create color harmony.
The special status of black in art and design
While not technically a hue-based complement to red, black has an exalted status in art, graphic design, and fashion as a striking accent color. The powerful visual contrast of bright red and deep black has shaped our cultural perceptions of these colors.
Some symbolic color associations that link red and black include:
– Passion and danger
– Excitement and sophistication
– Love and grief
– Energy and mystery
These symbolic meanings arise from the strong visual tension between the two colors. Red attracts attention, while black adds emphasis.
Red and black dominated the art and fashion of the 20th century avant-garde. Modern art titans like Matisse and Rothko used fields of red next to black lines and forms to create feelings of drama, dynamism, and contemplation. In fashion, red and black represented bold new ways of combining colors while referencing timeless elegance.
This modern sensibility contributed to red and black becoming the standard colors of graphic warning labels on hazards, as well as typography and logo design. The legibility and visual impact of bold red and black simply works for communicating important information.
Using red and black together effectively
Because of their cultural history, red and black have instant visual recognition when combined. But the high contrast can become overwhelming if not balanced properly. Here are some tips for pairing red and black successfully:
– Use one color as the dominant shade, with the other as accents. Too much red and black can be visually jarring.
– Add lighter tints of red and gray tones to soften the intensity. Pure red and true black at full saturation can clash.
– Separate with neutrals like white, beige, or wood tones. These act as neutral buffers to balance the dynamic duo.
– Watch proportions. A little black goes a long way in balancing large fields of red. Too much black overwhelms red’s brightness.
– Use red and black sparingly to frame or accentuate other colors. This controls the dominance while adding pizzazz.
Achieving color harmony with red and black
While not direct complements, red and black can still be combined harmoniously by following principles of color theory:
Contrast of value – The lightness contrast between red and black creates visual interest.
Contrast of temperature – Warm red complements cool black for lively visual tension.
Simultaneous contrast – When side by side, the contrasting colors intensify each other’s appearance.
Complement with neutrals – Grayscale colors and wood tones act as buffers to prevent over-contrast.
Complementary proportions – Careful ratios of red to black prevent one from overwhelming the other.
Context and aesthetics – Cultural associations with red/black lend them visual harmony even when highly contrasting.
So while not direct complements on the color wheel, red and black can complement each other effectively. Their cultural history provides built-in harmony, and principles like contrast and artistic flair give them memorable visual power when combined skillfully.
Alternatives to black that complement red
Some other hues that provide less extreme contrast but still complement red well include:
| Color | Why it complements red |
|---|---|
| Green | Direct complement on the color wheel |
| Blue | Analogous cool contrast to red’s warmth |
| Orange | Triadic harmony; connects red to a secondary color |
| Violet | Located opposite red on the color wheel |
| Turquoise | Contrast of warm and cool with enough brightness |
These colors have enough contrast with red to create visual interest, but their lighter hues and tones prevent overpowering red’s intensity.
Conclusion
While not technically direct complements, red and black have a special relationship that creates visual power through extreme contrast. Their cultural history in modern art and design provides them built-in visual harmony, even when highly contrasting. Following principles of color theory like controlling contrast, adding neutrals, and balancing proportions allows red and black to complement each other effectively. Alternatives like green, blue, orange, violet, and turquoise can provide less extreme complements for designing with red. The dynamic duo of red and black will continue to electrify visual media when used skillfully with color theory principles in mind.