Complementary Colors
Complimentary is defined as: Forming a
satisfactory or balanced whole; completing.
An example would be the following sentence:
“ She wore a new outfit with complimentary
shoes.”
Some synonyms to complimentary would be:
Completing, corresponding, flattering.
Name some things that you would
want to compliment each other.
A rooms’ decoration.
Dishes
Art
Clothing
Photography
How does this relate to Colors?
Complementary colors refers to three
pairs of colors that artists agree look
good together and complement each
other.
Complementary colors are based on the color wheel that
arranges colors in such a way that the colors opposite each
other represent the three pairs.
Primary ColorsYellow, Orange, Red,
Violet, Blue, Green
Complementary colors are usually
vivid, energetic and uplifting.
If you wish to make an object stand out from its
background, you should pick up a background with the
complementary color of the object.
Good examples are orange autumn leaves against a blue
sky.
Red flowers against green foliage. The main subject will
immediately catch the attention of the viewer. It does not
matter how small the main subject, if it has a complementary
backdrop, will always be an important compositional element.
Usually it will draw the whole attention.
This doesn’t mean that other colors don’t work together very well,
but it us a suggestion that is you use complementary color themes
in your work, the images will be visually compelling.
Complementary colors work well when you want something
to stand out.
When you use complimentary colors in a photograph they
create contrast. This contrast can create a very dramatic
image.
Examples of complimentary colors in photography.
Van Gogh to his brother Theo:
"I have tried to express the terrible passions of
humanity by means of red and green. The room is
blood red and dark yellow with a green billiard table
in the middle; there are four citron yellow lamps
with a glow of orange and green. Everywhere there
is a clash and contrast of the most disparate reds
and greens..
Night Cafe 1888 Sept
Complementary colors are usually really bad for text!
Name the complimentary colors:
RED
BLUE
VIOLET
YELLOW-GREEN
Name the complimentary colors:
RED
BLUE
VIOLET
GREEN
YELLOW
YELLOW-GREEN
YELLOW-GREEN VIOLET
Name the Complimentary colors
in these web pages:
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
The complimentary colors are purple and gold.
2.
The complimentary colors are red and green.
3.
The complimentary colors are dark blue and orange.
4.
The complimentary colors are yellow and dark purple.
Assignments
Assignment #1
In Fireworks, create a movie poster. The Canvas
should be
8.5 inches X 11 inches. Use your knowledge of
complimentary colors to make a vivid, eye
catching poster with lots of contrast.
Example
Assignment #2
Using the Complimentary Color
wheel from the Student drive, take
photos of Starburst candies…