Finding split complementary color schemes can add visual interest and vibrancy to any design. Complementary colors are any two colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel, while split complements are the two colors adjacent to a color’s complement. Split complementary color schemes are very versatile and popular in all types of design work. Here’s a quick overview of how to find and use split complementary color schemes effectively.
What are complementary and split complementary colors?
On the traditional color wheel, complementary colors are any two colors directly opposite each other. For example, red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple. These color pairs create strong contrast and vibrancy when used together.
Split complementary colors take this a step further by using the two colors adjacent to a color’s complement instead of the direct complement. For example, the split complements of blue could be yellow-orange and red-orange. This creates a color scheme with one dominant color and two supporting colors.
How to find split complements
Here are some simple steps to find the split complementary colors for any color:
- Identify the base color you want to use.
- Find the direct complement of that color on the color wheel.
- Identify the two colors adjacent to the complement color on both sides.
- Those three colors (your original color plus the two adjacent colors) make up the split complementary color scheme.
You can use an online color wheel tool to make this process fast and straightforward. Simply select your base color and the tool will identify the complements for you.
Benefits of split complementary color schemes
There are several advantages to using split complementary color combinations:
- Provides contrast without being overly dissonant – Split complements are more subtle than direct complements but still provide color contrast.
- Flexibility – The three colors give you more flexibility in design than just two complements.
- Versatility – Split complements work for any base color.
- Visual interest – The three colors create vibrancy and interest.
The contrast is not as stark as direct complementary colors, so split complements are easier on the eyes. But they still make elements stand out on the page.
Tips for using split complements
Here are some tips for getting the most out of split complementary color schemes:
- Use one color as the dominant color, the other two as accents. Usually the base color takes prominence.
- Pay attention to balance – don’t let one accent color overwhelm the other.
- Try different variations like warm and cool accent colors.
- Add neutrals like black, white or gray to soften the vibrancy.
- Watch contrast levels – text needs enough contrast to remain readable.
When using split complements in design, you’ll usually want one color to take visual precedence. The other two colors will play supporting roles as accents. Make sure to maintain balance and watch text contrast levels.
Examples of split complementary color schemes
Here are some examples of effective split complementary color combinations:
| Base Color | Split Complements |
|---|---|
| Blue | Yellow-orange, red-orange |
| Green | Red-violet, yellow-orange |
| Purple | Yellow-green, blue-green |
As you can see, the split complements provide versatility across warm and cool accent colors. Here are some more examples of split complements in action:
| Color Scheme | Example Use |
|---|---|
| Orange, blue-green, blue-violet | Bold abstract painting |
| Yellow, violet, red-violet | Playful children’s book |
| Blue, orange, yellow-orange | Energetic technology advertisement |
You can tailor split complements to different moods, aesthetics and contexts. They provide vibrancy across many applications.
Finding split complements for specific palettes
You can also find split complements for existing color palettes, not just individual colors. For example:
- Palette: Teal, plum, marigold
- Base color: Teal
- Complement: Orange
- Split complements: Red-orange, yellow-orange (marigold)
So for this palette, marigold already provides one split complement. You could add the red-orange to complete the trio.
This demonstrates how you can build on existing palettes using split complements. Choose your base color, find its complement, then see if your palette already contains one adjacent color. If so, identify the other adjacent color to complete the scheme.
Using online tools
Online tools make it fast and simple to find split complementary colors. Color wheel tools like Adobe Color CC allow you to:
- Input any color value or sample
- View its complement
- See the split complements displayed
- Experiment with variations of each color
- Get color palette ideas
- Extract color values for design work
These tools remove the guesswork and make it easy to test out different color schemes digitally. You can save palettes, share them with others, and even export assets like color swatches.
So if you’re struggling to identify split complements, take advantage of the many software tools available.
Conclusion
Finding appealing split complementary color schemes is an important skill for designers of all kinds. Following basic color theory principles and using online tools makes the process straightforward. Split complements provide that perfect balance of vibrancy, contrast and visual interest to any project. With a dominant color and two supporting accents, the possibilities are endless for original and eye-catching designs.
