The term “complementary colors” refers to a pair of colors which are opposite one another on the color wheel. Let’s take a look, in sixty seconds!
Complementary Colors
Here are some simple examples of complementary colors, presented on a color wheel:
Red and green:
Blue and orange:
Or these:
To get a complementary pair, pick one hue and then its opposite from the other side of the wheel. Most of the time you’ll want to use either a tint or a shade because the pure color will likely be too vibrant and therefore produce unwanted effects.
So be very careful how you use complementary colors because, whilst their relationship is suitable, the high contrast might not be what you’re looking for.
A Bit More Detail
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