Color Wheel The colour wheel is divided into three categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The three primary colours are red, yellow and blue. These colours are considered to be foundation colours because they are used to create all other colours.

Colour Wheel By combining two of the primary colours equally, three secondary colors are formed. They are orange, green and violet. The six tertiary colours (AKA intermediate colours) are made by combining a primary and an adjacent secondary colour. These colors are red-orange, red-violet, yellow-green, yellow-orange, blue-green and blue-violet.

Colour Wheel

Cool and Warm Colours Colours are also divided into cool and warm categories. The cool colours are any combination of green, blue and violet. Warm colours are any combination of red, orange and yellow.

Tint A tint of a colour is made by adding white. A shade of a colour is made by adding black.

Colour Harmonies (Schemes) Monochromatic - This scheme uses a single hue. (example: red and its varying tints and shades) Analogous - This scheme uses adjacent hues. (example: red, red-orange, and red-violet)

Complementary Colours If two hues are opposite each other on the colour wheel they are considered to be complementary colors. When used together in a design they make each other seem brighter and more intense. (example: red and green)

Triadic Colours This scheme also uses three colours. They are evenly spaced from each other. Think of an equilateral triangle. (example: red, yellow, and blue)