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Basics of color theory

Let's go over some practical basics to understand the theory of colors

in order to be able to combine them harmoniously.

The color wheelis an ordered representation of colors. This color

wheel therefore helps you to identify all the colors, associate them and
use them for your creations. The color wheel is made up of:

 3 primary colors: red, yellow and blue

 3 secondary colors obtained by mixingprimary colors: green,
orange and purple
 6 tertiary colors obtained by mixing primary and secondary
colors.
The color wheelalso allows you to easily distinguish between warm
colors like yellow and orange and cool colors like blue and green.

The colors havemeaningsparticular and inspire feelings and emotions.

Thus warm colors are synonymous with vitality and energy while cold
colors inspire softness and calm.

You can obtain different tones from the 12 main colors to create
unique color combinations.

Now that you know the basics, here are the best techniques for finding
the perfect color combination for your future projects.

1. Use a color wheel

Thecolor wheelis a well-known tool in the world of graphics and by

using it you will have little chance of going wrong. On this wheel, you
will find all the colors represented like a rainbow! Cut the circle in
half to get warm colors on one side and cool colors on the other. The
color wheel serves as a guide for you to select colors and combine
them.
It is from the chromatic circle that we create the famous color palettes
much used by interior designers. It is therefore the essential tool to
harmonize your colors.

2. Use color harmony

The harmony of colorsis precisely based on the chromatic circle. It

makes it possible to distinguish colors that combine particularly well
with each other. There are several systems for combining colors with
each other:

Similar or adjacent colors

They follow each other on the color wheel and are composed of the
same primary color. They are low in nuance and simple to use to
create harmonious color combinations.

You can use analog colors to add shadows or outlines to

your elements, or for your backgrounds.
Complementary colors

They are opposite on the color wheel like orange and blue. You can
create high contrast combinations by using complementary colors and
get a beautiful result.

Complementary-analogous colors

They combine the analogues of a color and its complementary for a

more subtle and nuanced combination.

triadic colors

They form an equilateral triangle on the color wheel. They are

equidistant from each other. You can use them to create bright color
combinations as they are also high in contrast.
3. Choose key color

A design should start from a key color. Once you have chosen the
main color, you will not have to modify it and you can use it as a base
to create your color combination. Starting with a key color, you can
use the color wheel to test different color combinations.

And to choose this color, look at the meaning of colors. This will
allow you to choose the appropriate color and create the atmosphere
that best suits your project.

If the latter touches on nature, your choice will undoubtedly turn to

green, but if it is a question of redecorating your room, a soothing
color such as blue may be appropriate.
4. A monochrome color combination

This is the best way to exploit the full potential of a single color.

Originally, the camaieu designated the way of using colors in cameos.

Today, it is a question of using a gradation of values of the same
color.

You can therefore combine several tones and contrasts of the same
color to create a harmonious atmosphere.

Warning: Be careful though, the monochrome helps to

avoid chromatic clashes but can also give a monotonous
result.

5. Combine cold colors

This technique will be useful if your main color is obviously a cold

color.

You can make monochromatic (greens or blues) or multichromatic

(green-yellow, green or blue) color combinations to make a
harmonious design and create a serene atmosphere.

6. Combine warm colors

Now let's move to the other side of the color wheel to combine warm
colors like red, orange and yellow.

The choice to combine colors allows you to create a warm and

comforting atmosphere or to bring dynamism and vitality to a design.

However, the intensity of warm colors should be used sparingly,

adding a cool color may be necessary to create balance.
7. Combine warm and cool colors

But what happens when you combine warm and cold colors? This
technique is to be handled with care since, like the association of
complementary colors, this combination can create a chromatic shock
that is not suitable for all atmospheres!

The solution to obtain a harmonious result is to associate a third color

of transition to unite the two colors. For example, you can use gray to
soften the contrast and make the transition.

8. Go to color palette sites

This trick can be seen as an easy solution, but it is still effective if you
don't know how to combine colors. Color palette generators can guide
you through your designs to make sure you choose harmonious color
combinations.

So we have created for you a free tool with several hundred five-color
palettes. It will help you find the ideal color combination thanks to its
simple filter system.

DISCOVER PALETTEDECOULEUR.NET
If you wish to discover other tools of this type, we have devoted an
article to the various existing tools forfind your color palette.

9. Think about the theme of your creation

The subject of your creation as well as the image that must be

reflected give you valuable clues as to the choice of colors.

For example, a sports website will not have the same colors as a
fashion website or a business website. Then think about the image that
emerges. Should your creation be elegant, serious, feminine…?

Before choosing your colors, define your color palette: "I would like a
romantic purple", "I would likespring colors", " I would likefall
colors", etc.

Warning: If you use this technique to find your color

palette, I suggest that you take note of the differentcolor
meanings. This will prevent you from making mistakes.

10. Create a mood board

Moodboards are useful for finding inspiration, but also for checking
that the chosen colors work well with each other.

You canbuild your moodboardby inserting photographs, illustrations,

color palettes, typography, etc.

Here, the choice of your visuals will have to be based on their colors
so that your final grid gives you an overview of the combination of the
different colors chosen.

11. Limit yourself to three colors

Unless you deliberately want to give your creation a rainbow look,
avoid combining an excessive number of colors.

On the contrary, limit yourself to three colors so that your design

appears more clean and balanced. If you choose two main colors, you
can combine them with a transition color to create a harmonious
contrast. It is a monochromatic harmony.

On the other hand, if you prefer to choose two distant colors, you can
associate them with a connecting color to create a harmony of
contrast.

If you go for more than three colors, add textures to tone

down the extra colors.
If you're stuck with your color palette or think there's something
wrong with their combination, ask yourself if some can be pulled out
to reach the magic number: 3.

12. Research Pinterest

If you don't want to create your moodboard yourself, you can go

topinterest. This social network has an impressive amount of color
palettes selected by creators around the world.

For an effective search, associate the term “color palette” or “Color

palettes” with the theme of your creation.
13. Use a color chart

If the previous techniques did not allow you to find the right
combination for your colors, it may be wise to move away from
digital tools to find inspiration.

You can thus use a color chart, the one sold byPantonebeing very well
known. It references more than 1800 colors and of course gives the
hexadecimal color code.
Using a physical tool is also very useful if your customer has specific
expectations and/or wants to see real samples.

And if your creation needs to be printed, you can directly see its
rendering on paper. You'll save time and be much less stressed when it
comes time to print.

Conclusion

Determining the right color combination is sometimes time-

consuming work. You must take into account the meaning of the
colors while being careful that they combine well.
By using the different techniques set out in this article, you will come
to find good associations.