Colors play an important role in art, design, psychology, and everyday life. The colors we see fall into different categories based on their properties and relationships. Two color types that are often confused are tertiary colors and intermediate colors. Understanding the differences between these categories helps artists mix more nuanced hues and choose palettes that evoke specific moods.
Definition of Tertiary Colors
Tertiary colors are made by combining a primary color with an adjacent secondary color. For example:
| Primary Color | Secondary Color | Tertiary Color |
| Red | Orange | Red-orange |
| Yellow | Orange | Yellow-orange |
| Yellow | Green | Yellow-green |
| Blue | Green | Blue-green |
| Blue | Purple | Blue-purple |
| Red | Purple | Red-purple |
There are 6 tertiary colors that fall halfway between the primary and secondary colors. Tertiary colors have more subtlety than primary and secondary hues.
Definition of Intermediate Colors
Intermediate colors fall between primary and secondary colors on the color wheel. However, they are not halfway between like tertiary colors. Instead, intermediate hues are made by mixing a primary color with a small amount of the adjacent secondary color. For example:
| Primary Color | Secondary Color | Intermediate Color |
| Red | Orange | Reddish-orange |
| Orange | Red | Orangish-red |
| Yellow | Green | Yellowish-green |
| Green | Yellow | Greenish-yellow |
| Blue | Purple | Bluish-purple |
| Purple | Blue | Purplish-blue |
The intermediate colors fall closer to the primary hue. They have a less balanced mixture than tertiary colors.
Key Differences
Here are some key differences between tertiary and intermediate colors:
- Tertiary colors are halfway between a primary and secondary color.
- Intermediate colors are closer to the primary color on the wheel.
- Tertiary colors have a more even mixture.
- Intermediate hues are less balanced with more of the primary hue.
- There are only 6 tertiary colors.
- There are an unlimited number of intermediate colors.
These differences result in tertiary colors having a more neutral, balanced appearance, while intermediate colors retain more vibrancy from the dominant primary hue.
Mixing Tertiary vs. Intermediate Colors
The different mixing ratios result in visible differences between tertiary and intermediate hues. Here is an example using red, orange, and yellow paint:
| Color Mix | Ratio | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Red + Orange | 1:1 | Tertiary red-orange |
| Red + small amount of Orange | 8:1 | Intermediate reddish-orange |
| Orange + small amount of Red | 8:1 | Intermediate orangish-red |
| Yellow + Orange | 1:1 | Tertiary yellow-orange |
| Yellow + small amount of Orange | 8:1 | Intermediate yellowish-orange |
| Orange + small amount of Yellow | 8:1 | Intermediate orangish-yellow |
The balanced mix creates a vibrant yet neutral tertiary, while the imbalanced mix retains more of the primary color’s hue.
Color Harmony
Tertiary and intermediate colors create different aesthetic effects when used in color schemes.
Tertiary colors have a harmonious, subtle look. Their even mixture means they go well together in triadic and split-complementary color schemes. For example, a triad using red, yellow-orange, and blue-violet has a very balanced appearance.
Intermediate colors create more vibrancy and energy. Their stronger tinting from the primary hue gives then more dominance in a palette. Intermediate colors work well for analogous schemes where you want more color variety than just primaries and secondaries.
Here is an example split-complementary scheme using intermediate colors:
| Dominant Color | Intermediate 1 | Intermediate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | Yellowish-orange | Orangish-red |
This palette has a warm, lively appearance compared to a palette using the tertiary colors red-orange, yellow-orange, and blue-violet.
Psychology
The balance vs vibrancy of tertiary and intermediate colors also impacts psychological effects. Here are some examples:
- Tertiary yellow-green promotes relaxation and harmony.
- Intermediate greenish-yellow creates youthful energy.
- Tertiary blue-purple suggests wisdom and spirituality.
- Intermediate purplish-blue evokes mystery and imagination.
Choosing between a tertiary or intermediate version of a hue allows artists and designers to fine-tune the mood of a piece.
Use in Art and Design
Understanding tertiary and intermediate colors gives artists more tools. Here are some examples of using these color types:
- Landscape painters add intermediate greens to create natural-looking foliage.
- Textile designers select tertiary hues for creating soothing, harmonious patterns.
- Interior designers use an intermediate blue-green for a relaxing bedroom color scheme.
- Logo designers choose vibrant intermediate colors to grab attention.
The wide spectrum between primary, secondary, tertiary, and intermediate colors provides endless possibilities for any project.
Color Mixing Tips
Here are some tips for mixing tertiary and intermediate colors:
- Use equal parts primary and secondary paint/ink for tertiaries.
- Add just a small amount of secondary for intermediates.
- Start with the primary color on your palette or canvas.
- Gradually add the secondary color while mixing.
- Test swatches until achieving the desired hue.
- Let the underpainting tertiary layer dry before intermediate glazing.
Always remember that the more secondary color you add, the closer to a tertiary hue you will get. The less secondary color, the closer to the primary hue it remains.
Conclusion
Tertiary colors have an even, balanced mixture of a primary and secondary hue. Intermediate colors retain more of the primary color with just a small amount of an adjacent secondary. Understanding these color categories allows for choosing harmonious or vibrant palettes. Artists mix more nuanced colors by controlling the ratio of primary to secondary. The spectrum from primary to tertiary to intermediate provides endless color possibilities and psychological effects.
