Pastels are soft, pale shades of color that are created by mixing a pure hue with white. The complementary color scheme uses colors from opposite sides of the color wheel to create high contrast and vibrancy. Finding the right complementary color combinations can help make pastel artwork really pop. Here’s a quick look at the complementary color pairs for common pastels:
Complementary Colors for Pink Pastels
Pinks are made by mixing red and white to create soft, romantic tones. The complementary color for pink is green.
| Pastel Pink | Complementary Green |
| Baby pink | Mint green |
| Dusty rose | Seafoam green |
| Cotton candy | Lime green |
Adding punches of green to pink pastel art creates a cheerful, spring-like color palette. Darker greens work best with very pale pinks, while bright greens pair well with bolder pink pastels.
Complementary Colors for Purple Pastels
Mixing blue and red makes pastel purples that range from lilac to lavender. Purple’s complementary color is yellow.
| Pastel Purple | Complementary Yellow |
| Lilac | Lemon yellow |
| Wisteria | Sunflower yellow |
| Lavender | Daffodil yellow |
The contrast of purple and yellow is bold and eye-catching. Pale yellows complement lighter purples, while vibrant yellows make rich purples pop. Too much contrasting yellow can overwhelm soft purples.
Complementary Colors for Blue Pastels
Blue pastels contain various amounts of blue mixed with white. Blue’s complementary color is orange.
| Pastel Blue | Complementary Orange |
| Periwinkle | Peach |
| Sky blue | Coral |
| Baby blue | Melon |
Orange makes an exciting complement to serene blue pastels. Soft peaches and melons work with pale blue, while bright oranges pair with richer blues. Too much orange can overwhelm light blue hues.
Complementary Colors for Green Pastels
Green pastels mix green with white for soft, natural hues. The complementary color for green is red.
| Pastel Green | Complementary Red |
| Mint | Crimson |
| Seafoam | Burgundy |
| Pistachio | Maroon |
Small touches of red add striking contrast to green pastel art. Deeper reds work best with muted green pastels, while bright reds can highlight vibrant greens. Too much red can overwhelm the green palette.
Complementary Colors for Yellow Pastels
Yellow pastels are made by lightening yellow with white. The complementary color for yellow is purple.
| Pastel Yellow | Complementary Purple |
| Lemon | Lilac |
| Butter | Lavender |
| Daffodil | Wisteria |
Purple makes yellow pastels pop. Soft lilacs and lavenders complement pale yellows, while deeper purples stand out against bold yellows. Too much purple can overshadow light yellow pastel shades.
Complementary Colors for Orange Pastels
Orange pastels contain orange mixed with white. Blue is the complementary color for orange.
| Pastel Orange | Complementary Blue |
| Peach | Periwinkle |
| Melon | Baby blue |
| Apricot | Sky blue |
Blue creates striking contrast against orange pastels. Light blues highlight soft peach and melon oranges, while bold oranges pop against richer blues. Too much blue can overwhelm muted orange tones.
Complementary Colors for Red Pastels
Red pastels contain red diluted with white. Green is the complementary color for red.
| Pastel Red | Complementary Green |
| Salmon | Mint |
| Coral | Seafoam |
| Carnation | Pistachio |
Small pops of green create vibrant contrast against red pastels. Deeper greens stand out against muted reds, while bright greens highlight bold reds. Too much green can overwhelm soft red hues.
Tips for Using Complementary Colors with Pastels
Here are some tips for working with complementary colors in pastel art:
- Use small amounts of the complementary color for maximum impact.
- Deeper complementary shades work best with soft pastels.
- Bold complementary colors highlight vivid pastels.
- Too much of the complementary can overwhelm the pastel.
- Consider color temperature for harmony (warm with warm, cool with cool).
- Allow some pure white space to make colors pop.
Complementary colors create exciting contrast and vibrancy in pastel art. Balancing the complementary against the pastel base color is key for creating visually pleasing combinations. With a thoughtful color palette, artists can use complementary colors to make soft pastels shine.
Conclusion
Pastels take on a new vibrancy when paired with their color wheel complement. Choosing the right complementary shade can make muted pastels pop or accentuate rich tones. Going with the classic complementary pairs is a foolproof way to achieve bold, eye-catching color combinations. Whether using small pops or larger blocks of color, complementary shades make pastels much more dynamic.
