Complementary colors

Complementary colors are pairs of hues positioned opposite each other on a color wheel. In color systems such as RYB and RGB, the pairs differ, and their effects depend on the medium and context.

Simultaneous contrast: A perceptual effect in which a color’s appearance shifts according to the colors surrounding it. Adjacent complements can make each other appear more vivid through this effect.
Color wheel: A circular arrangement of hues used to show relationships among colors. Opposition on the wheel is the basic way complementary pairs are identified.
Color harmony: The arrangement of colors to create a chosen sense of visual coherence or contrast. Complementary schemes are a high-contrast form of color harmony.
Analogous colors: Colors that sit next to one another on a color wheel. Unlike complements, analogous hues are neighbors and usually create less direct contrast.
Additive color: A color system in which mixing colored light adds wavelengths and increases brightness. Light complements combine toward white in systems such as RGB.
RYB color model: A traditional artist’s color model based on red, yellow, and blue as primary pigments. Its wheel pairs red with green, blue with orange, and yellow with violet.
Color grading: The adjustment of color and tone in images or video to establish a visual appearance. Complementary shadows and highlights are a common grading strategy.
Split-complementary color scheme: A scheme pairing one hue with the two hues adjacent to its complement. It keeps a complementary contrast while replacing the direct opposite with a pair.
Subtractive color: A color system in which pigments or filters absorb portions of incident light. Pigment complements mix by subtracting light, often producing a dark or neutral result.
RGB color model: An additive color model that represents colors through red, green, and blue light. Its complements are calculated from the model’s light primaries, not the RYB wheel.

Linked from 13 pages