Teal is a medium blue-green color that has long been popular in art and design. But what color family does teal belong to exactly? Teal sits between blue and green on the color wheel, meaning it can be considered a blue-green or green-blue. There are a few ways to categorize teal into a color family.
The Origins of Teal
The name “teal” comes from the common teal bird, which has blue-green feathers similar to the color. The word originated in the mid-1600s and was originally spelled “tile” or “tille” referring to the Eurasian teal duck. Over time, the name became associated with the specific blue-green color of the bird’s plumage.
Teal began to emerge as a popular decorative color in the mid-1700s. It was originally created by mixing blue and green paint pigments. Early teal paint colors were more blue-leaning, made by adding a small amount of yellow to blue. Later teal formulations contained more green.
Teal as a Tertiary Color
In color theory, teal is considered a tertiary color. Tertiary colors are made by combining a primary color and secondary color. The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. The secondary colors are orange, purple, and green.
Teal is made by mixing the primary color blue and the secondary color green. This means it fits neatly in the tertiary color category, along with other blue-green blends. All tertiary colors sit between a primary and secondary color on the standard color wheel.
Teal’s Relationship to Blue and Green
Since teal is made from blue and green, it can be considered a shade of both of those colors. Most teal shades contain more green than blue. They are located closer to green than blue on the color wheel. However, some teal colors contain more blue.
There are no fixed ratios on how much blue vs. green makes up teal. It can vary within the blue-green spectrum. This flexibility is why teal has the association with both color families. Context also plays a role – teal may be grouped with blues or greens depending on the surrounding colors.
Teal as an Analogous Color
In color schemes, teal functions as an analogous color. Analogous colors sit directly next to each other on the color wheel. They combine families in harmony, with teal drawing from the blue and green families.
Some examples of analogous color schemes using teal:
– Teal, blue-green, green
– Blue, teal, green
– Teal, green, yellow-green
Teal creates a bridge between the cooler blues and warmer greens. This smooth transition allows it to work with both color families.
Teal in Blue Color Palettes
When used in a blue palette, teal takes on more blue qualities:
| Blue | Teal | Turquoise |
| Navy | Teal | Aqua |
These combinations highlight teal’s blue notes, while keeping it distinct from true blue. The vibrant energy of teal enlivens and modernizes these palettes.
Some branding examples using teal with blue:
– Microsoft – Teal logo against navy backdrop
– Ford – Teal paired with lighter sky blues
– Starbucks – Teal/turquoise mermaid logo
Teal in Green Color Palettes
In green palettes, teal’s green side emerges more:
| Teal | Sea Green | Lime Green |
| Olive | Teal | Mint |
Here teal gravitates toward its green neighbors, while providing some interest through its blue undertones.
Some brands using green with teal:
– Whole Foods – Dark teal offsets kelly green
– John Deere – Teal tractors and green fields
– Animal Planet – Teal and lime green logo
Is Teal a Warm or Cool Color?
Teal’s temperature depends on whether it leans more blue or green. Blue is a cool color, while green is warm.
More blue shades of teal come across as cooler. Teals with more green appear warmer and brighter. Since pure teal is evenly between blue and green, it lands right in the middle of the warm-cool spectrum.
In color psychology:
– Cool teals seem more serene and calming.
– Warmer teals feel energetic and invigorating.
Teal as a Tone of Blue
Some color wheel models place teal with blue as a tone. Tones are created by mixing a color with grey or black. By this logic, teal is a tone of blue, mixed with the dulling effect of grey-green.
However, most models categorize teal as a tertiary color instead of a tone. Teal has more vibrancy than a true blue tone. But the tonal classification provides another option for linking teal to the blue family.
Teal as an Accent Color
Many designers use teal as an accent color against neutrals. This allows teal to add an extra dimension without overpowering. For example:
– Teal furniture upholstery against grey walls
– Teal graphic prints on a white background
– Metallic teal accessories on a black outfit
In these cases, teal pops while still integrating harmoniously. The neutrals ground the look while teal injects interest.
The Signature Spirit of Teal
No matter whether it’s grouped with blues or greens, teal has a recognizable spirit all its own. Its balance of warm and cool makes it endlessly versatile.
Some key personality traits of teal:
– Complexity
– Duality
– Harmony
– Vibrancy
– Transformative ability
These unique qualities give teal artistic depth as both a blue-green and green-blue. Teal’s complex nature allows it to fit within multiple color families.
Conclusion
In summary, teal is considered a tertiary color situated between blue and green. It can be categorized as a shade of blue or green depending on the color context. Teal tends to associate more with green due to containing slightly higher green pigments. But its relationship to blue is also valid, as a tone or analogous color.
Ultimately teal is a bridge between color families, which gives it adaptability. This is why teal can function as a complementary color to palettes from either side of the spectrum. Teal’s multifaceted nature is what makes it a special, versatile shade.
