Guest Author - Michelle McVaney
Having trouble color coordinating your layouts? Wonder which colors go together best? Does that color wheel thing confuse you?
Understanding a few simple color principles can result in successful color combinations for any project.
Primary Colors: The primary colors consist of 3 unique colors, red-yellow-blue. When mixing these 3 colors hues, all the other hues of the color wheel, including black can be created. (found in the center of the color wheel)
Want to use color to portray a mood?
Red- emotional and active, danger, love, warmth, life
Blue- passive, soft, cool, watery
Yellow- warm, vibrant, the closest to light and warmth
Secondary or Complementary Colors: When any one primary color is mixed with another a secondary color effect is produced. 3 secondary colors are produced from the mixing of one primary color with another. The secondary or complimentary colors are orange, green and violet. (the center ring of the color wheel)
Tertiary Colors: These colors are created when mixing one secondary and one primary color. The tertiary colors are: yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue violet, blue-green, and yellow-green. (the outside ring of the color wheel)
Want to try some color schemes online? Check out these websites that match up perfect, chic color pallettes that you can use for your pages! (Or for color coordinating the decor in your house!)
This is perfect when you are stuck for a color scheme!
Check it out:
Kuler Color Schemes
If you have trouble matching up colors..or get stuck in the rut of using the same colors over and over.....this site will get you right out of that rut and give you endless possibilities! You can view thousands of color combos. There’s so many gorgeous choices and you can search by what’s Popular, Newest or Highest Rated.
The perfect place to visit when you need a dash of professional colorization to liven things up a little!
Color Scheme Generator This is an online color wheel!
Lots of paint companies also offer color coordinating tools on their websites.
HAVE FUN color coordinating!
