What is the complement of yellow?
Yellow is a bright, warm color that is often associated with sunshine, happiness and optimism. In color theory, the complement of yellow is the color directly opposite yellow on the color wheel. Finding the complement of yellow can help create color harmony and vibrancy in designs.
Understanding Color Wheels
A color wheel is a circular diagram that shows the relationships between colors. The colors are arranged in a specific order based on their hue. There are primary, secondary and tertiary colors on the wheel. Complementary colors are located directly opposite each other on the wheel. These color pairs create maximum contrast and reinforce each other when placed side-by-side. The complement of a color can be found by looking at the color on the opposite side of the color wheel.
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Colors
The primary colors are red, yellow and blue. These colors cannot be created by mixing other colors. Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors. For example, mixing red and yellow makes orange. Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color next to it on the wheel. Yellow-orange, red-orange and red-violet are examples of tertiary colors.
Finding the Complement of Yellow
On the traditional RYB color wheel, the complement of yellow is purple. This refers specifically to violet, a tertiary color made from mixing red and blue. Yellow and violet have a strong visual contrast that allows them to stand out against each other. When placed side-by-side, they create a vibrant look.
The Color Wheel
Here is a color wheel showing yellow and its complement purple:
| Red | Red-orange | Yellow | Yellow-green | Green |
| Blue-green | Cyan | Blue | Violet | Magenta |
As you can see, yellow and violet are located opposite each other on the color wheel. This means they are complementary colors.
The Psychology of Yellow and Violet
Yellow and violet have very different psychological effects. Yellow is uplifting and energetic. It represents happiness, optimism and idealism. Violet is meditative and mystical. It represents wisdom, imagination and spirituality. When paired together, these colors create an intriguing combination. Yellow energizes while violet calms. This makes them ideal for creating vibrant, eye-catching designs.
Color Schemes with Yellow and Violet
There are several color harmonies or schemes that work well with complements like yellow and violet:
– Complementary – Uses opposite colors on the color wheel. This creates the highest amount of contrast.
– Split Complementary – Uses one color and the two colors adjacent to its complement. For yellow, this would be yellow, red-violet and blue-violet.
– Double Complementary (Tetradic) – Combines two sets of complements, such as yellow and violet with red and cyan.
– Rectangle (Tetradic) – Uses four colors that form a rectangle on the color wheel. For yellow and violet, you could add blue and orange.
Examples of Yellow and Violet Together
Here are some examples of yellow and violet used together:
– Graphic design – Yellow text on a violet background makes the words pop. Violet shapes on a yellow background are eye-catching.
– Interior design – A violet accent wall balances the energy of a cheery yellow room. Violet pillows on a yellow couch create an invigorating pairing.
– Fashion – Violet shoes or purses pop against a yellow sundress. Yellow scarves brighten up a violet top.
– Food – Violet icing on yellow cupcakes provides visual interest. Yellow lemonade served in a violet bottle makes a refreshing duo.
– Flowers – Violet and yellow tulips blooming together in the spring form a beautiful garden combination.
– Photography – A violet sunset over a field of yellow wildflowers makes a dramatic landscape.
Benefits of Using Complementary Colors
There are many advantages to using complementary colors like yellow and violet in design:
– Creates visual interest – Complements naturally attract attention when paired.
– Provides contrast – The high contrast allows elements to stand out clearly.
– Enhances vibrancy – Complements make each other appear more vibrant.
– Adds dimension – Complements help create depth in a composition.
– Conveys energy – Vibrant complements feel bold, lively and dynamic.
Tips for Combining Yellow and Violet
When using yellow and violet together, keep these tips in mind:
– Use in moderation – Large amounts can cause vibrations and eye strain.
– Add a neutral – Grays, blacks and whites help tone down the intensity.
– Use a lighter violet – Dark violets will overpower light yellows.
– Add a buffer color – introduce a color between yellow and violet to transition between them.
– Use different saturations – Pair a muted yellow with a bright violet for best contrast.
– Watch value contrast – Keep colors distinct by varying lightness and darkness.
Conclusion
In summary, the complement of yellow on the traditional RYB color wheel is violet. These two colors contrast strongly in hue and have very different psychological effects. But when combined creatively, yellow and its complement violet form an eye-catching partnership. Using complementary colors is an impactful way to add vibrancy, dimension and visual interest to any design.
