The Ultimate Guide

to Colour Theory
W W W . K A T E R I N A R E T O U D I S . C O M
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Hello &
Welcome!
I'm Katerina,
a passionate Food
Photographer & Pinterest
Marketing Specialist. I help
businesses & solopreneurs
unlock their full potential by
creating customized &
captivating food stories &
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& elevate their brand
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I’m so happy you’re here,

because it means you are
ready to dive in & learn
about the colour theory &
why it is important in
composition.

Let’s do this!

W W W . K A T E R I N A R E T O U D I S . C O M
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Table of
Contents

1 Introduction
2 Analogous colours
3 Complementary colours
4 Monochromatic colours
5 Split complementary
6 Triadic colour scheme
7 Diad colour scheme

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#1
Colour theory is both the
science & art of using colour. It
explains how we humans
perceive colours and the visual
effects of how they mix, match
or contrast with each other.

Colour theory also involves the

messages colours communicate.
And therefore, colour has the
power to set the mood of an
image which can be subtle,
moody, bright, feel good,
comforting, seasonal, etc.

Colours exist at the background

Introduction

level, in food & props as well as

supporting elements.

In colour theory, colours are

organized on a colour wheel,
which you will find on the next
page, and grouped into 3
categories:
1. primary
2. secondary
3. tertiary

Colours also have different

temperature and are either
warm or cold.

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Colour wheel
COLD WARM

primary

tertiary tertiary

yellow

ge
ye
llo

an
or
secondary secondary
w-

gr w-
gr

ee
ge
llo
ee

n n
ora
n

ye

tertiary blue-green red-orange tertiary

e
le

blu red
rp
pu

primary
red

primary
e-

-p
blu

purple

ur
ple

tertiary tertiary

secondary

COLD WARM

To make your colour pairings easier,

use this Interactive Colour Wheel by Canva.

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Colour is a power
which directly
influences the soul.
~Wassily Kandinsky

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Different colours evoke different moods:

Blue — calm, crisp + fresh
Green — lush, fresh + new growth
Yellow/Orange/Red — warmth + comfort

Warm colours appear to move forward, cool

colours move further away. Together they create a
feeling of movement. Colour temperature can
create interest & style.

Colour contrast exists when distinct colours are

placed next to each other which can create a
strong image.

Saturation is the richness of colour. Both

saturated and desaturated colours have their
place and will give a sense of either bold or calm
depending on your colour use.

Colour helps boost simple composition. The key is

to create balance and to enhance not distract. A
tip is to not use too many hues.

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#2
Analogous colours

A colour scheme with any three colours

which are side-by-side on the colour
wheel, e.g. green, yellow & orange.

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#3
Complementary colours

Any two colours directly opposite each

other on the colour wheel. It creates
colour contrast, e.g. blue & orange.

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#4
Monochromatic colours

All colours in a single hue (tints, tones &

shades).

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#5

yellow

ge
ye
llo

an
or
w-

w-
gr

gr
ee e

llo
ee
n ng
ora

ye
Split complementary
blue-green red-orange

le
blu red

rp
pu

red
e-

-p
blu

purple

ur
ple
A variation of complementary colours, a
primary colour is used with the two
analogous colorus to its complement.
Examples of split complementary colour
schemes:
red, blue-green. yellow-green
blue, red-oran, yellow-orange
yellow, blue-purple, red-purple
purple, yellow-orange, yellow-green

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#6

ge
ye

an
yellow
llo

or
w-

w-
gr

llo
ee
gr

ye
ee ge

n
n an
Triadic colour scheme
or

blue-green red-orange

e red
blu

le

red
rp

-p
pu

purple

ur
e-

ple
blu

A colour scheme using colours that are

evenly spaced on the colour wheel,
forming an equilateral triangle.
There are only four triadic colour
combinations on your basic colour wheel:
1. red, yellow, blue
2. red-orange, yellow-green, blue-purple
3. orange, green, purple
4. yellow-orange, blue-green, red-purple

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yellow

blue
red
 -14-

#7

ge
ye

an
yellow
llo

or
w-

w-
gr

llo
ee
gr

ye
ee ge

n
n an
or

blue-green red-orange
Diad colour scheme

e red
blu

le

red
rp

-p
pu

purple

ur
e-

ple
blu

A colour scheme that uses two colours on

the colour wheel that are separated by
one colour, e.g. red & orange

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Colour! What a deep

and mysterious
language, the language
of dreams.
~Paul Gauguin
W W W . K A T E R I N A R E T O U D I S . C O M
W W W . K A T E R I N A R E T O U D I S . C O M
I'd love to get to
-16-

know you!

I’d love to get to know you & since we can’t grab

a coffee together let’s connect on
&

W W W . K A T E R I N A R E T O U D I S . C O M
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Thank you

Thank you for downloading The Ultimate

Guide to Colour Theory!

Hope you found this helpful in your journey

of discovering colour as a composition
technique.

If you have any questions, or you'd like to

learn more, do not hesitate to reach out &
we will see how I can help you!

Let's chat!

W W W . K A T E R I N A R E T O U D I S . C O M