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 Colors- Yellow, 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:

REDBLUEVIOLETYELLOW-GREEN

Name the complimentary colors:

RED GREENBLUE YELLOWVIOLET YELLOW-GREENYELLOW-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…