Colors that are complementary are opposite each other on the color wheel. Complementary colors create maximum contrast and reinforce each other when placed side-by-side. When complementary colors are mixed, they cancel each other out to produce a neutral gray. So to find the complementary color of red and yellow, we need to look at the colors opposite them on the color wheel.
What is the complementary color of red?
Red is a primary color on the color wheel. The color opposite red is green. Therefore, green is the complementary color of red. When red and green lights mix, they create yellow light. When red and green pigments or paints mix, they neutralize each other to produce a gray or brown.
What is the complementary color of yellow?
Yellow is a primary color located between red and green on the color wheel. The color directly opposite yellow is purple. So the complementary color of yellow is purple. When yellow and purple light mix, they create white light. When yellow and purple pigments mix, they neutralize each other to make a gray or neutral brown.
What are the complements of red-orange and yellow-green?
Red-orange and yellow-green are located between the primary colors on the color wheel. To find their complements, we look across to the opposite side of the wheel:
| Color | Complement |
|---|---|
| Red-orange | Blue-green |
| Yellow-green | Red-purple |
So the complement of red-orange is blue-green. And the complement of yellow-green is red-purple.
What are analogous colors?
Analogous colors are groups of three colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. They always contain one primary color and two secondary colors. For example:
- Red, red-orange, and orange
- Yellow, yellow-green, and green
- Blue, blue-violet, and violet
Analogous colors create color harmony in designs. They are often found together in nature, so they are perceived as pleasing to the eye.
What are complementary analogies?
A complementary analogy combines both analogous colors and complementary colors. This scheme uses four colors arranged into two complementary pairs. For example:
- Red and green (complementary)
- Red-orange and blue-green (also complementary)
Or:
- Yellow and purple (complementary)
- Yellow-green and red-purple (also complementary)
Complementary analogies provide a vibrant color scheme with strong contrast. The balance between analogy and contrast creates visually striking effects.
How are complementary colors used in design?
Complementary colors can make a bold visual impact when used together. They are often applied:
- On opposite sides of a color wheel or split complementary scheme
- In accent colors against a neutral background
- In gradients transitioning from one color to its complement
- On text and corresponding backgrounds
Complementary colors intensify and bring out the best qualities in each other. They are often used for call-to-action buttons or headlines to grab the viewer’s attention.
How do complementary colors work scientifically?
Complementary colors have opposite light wavelengths on the visible spectrum. For example:
- Red has long wavelengths while green has shorter waves
- Yellow has medium-length waves and purple has shorter and longer waves
When complementary colors mix, the wavelengths cancel each other out to produce white light. Our eyes perceive this as a neutral gray or brown color.
How do complementary colors mix to make white?
There are three sets of complementary colors that mix to make white:
- Red and Cyan (blue-green)
- Green and Magenta (red-purple)
- Blue and Yellow
These are also the three sets of primary colors in color models like RYB, CMYK, and RGB. The complements cancel each other’s color properties to produce a neutral white or gray.
Why do complementary colors complement each other?
Complementary colors have an inherent visual relationship. When placed next to each other, they create strong contrast and enhance the qualities of each color. Reasons they complement each other include:
- They balance each other on opposite sides of the color wheel
- They have opposite lightwave properties that neutralize each other
- They create vibrancy and visual contrast
- They make each other appear brighter when side-by-side
The human eye perceives maximum contrast and color when complements are combined. This makes them ideal for accenting or highlighting elements of a design.
Do warm and cool colors complement each other?
Warm and cool colors can be complementary, but are not always. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow have long light wavelengths. Cool colors like blue, green, and purple have shorter wavelengths.
Some warm and cool pairings are complementary, such as:
- Red and green
- Orange and blue
But yellow and purple are both warm and cool – yellow is warm while purple is cool. And red-orange and blue-green are less contrasting as a warm/cool pairing.
So while some warm and cool complements have high contrast, others are lower contrast analogies. The level of visual contrast depends on the specific colors used.
Conclusion
In summary, complementary colors are any two colors opposite each other on the color wheel. They create maximum contrast and vibrancy. The complements of red are green and blue-green. The complements of yellow are purple and red-purple. Complementary color schemes are visually striking and draw attention. They are widely used in design for these dramatic effects.