Have you ever put on an outfit that just looks “off”? The colors might clash in a way that is unappealing to the eye. Understanding color theory can help avoid color clashes in fashion, interior design, graphic design, and more. Certain colors combine well while others fight for attention.
Some key questions about clashing colors include:
– What is color theory and how do complementary vs. clashing color schemes work?
– What makes two colors clash and look discordant together?
– How can color values, temperature, and undertones impact color harmony?
– What are some examples of notoriously clashing color combinations?
– How can clashing colors be used effectively in design?
Read on for an in-depth look at the science behind color discordance and tips for avoiding unintentional color clashes.
What is Color Theory?
Color theory is a framework for understanding how colors interact with each other. It provides guidance on combining colors in aesthetically pleasing ways. The basics of color theory involve primary, secondary, and tertiary colors along with complementary color harmonies.
Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. These colors cannot be created by mixing other hues but are the building blocks for all other colors.
Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors equally. Green, purple, and orange are secondary colors.
Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color. These include red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple, and red-purple.
The color wheel displays how colors relate to each other. Complementary colors sit opposite each other. Some examples of complementary pairs are:
– Red and green
– Blue and orange
– Yellow and purple
These complementary color combinations create maximum contrast and vibrancy. However, colors that are close together on the wheel can often clash.
Understanding Color Clashes
Two colors are said to clash when they do not combine well aesthetically. They appear disjointed and jarring rather than harmonious to the eye. Several key factors cause colors to clash:
Too Similar in Hue
Colors that are too closely related in hue often compete for attention rather than complementing each other. For example, pairing a true red with a red-orange can create vibration and discord.
Extreme Value Contrast
A huge difference in lightness or darkness can make colors clash. Think of pairing a very pale tint with a deep shade of the same hue. The high contrast fights the eye.
Opposite Temperatures
Warm and cool colors can clash if they are not skillfully combined. A fiery red-orange and an icy blue-green would clash due to their opposing temperatures.
Contrasting Undertones
Undertone refers to subtle hints of other hues in a color. A blue with green undertones and a blue with red undertones may look disjointed together. The clashing undertones accentuate their differences.
Notoriously Clashing Color Combinations
Some specific color pairings are known for their tendency to clash if not combined thoughtfully:
| Clashing Color Pair | Why They Clash |
|---|---|
| Bright red + Bright pink | Too similar in hue, creates vibration |
| Pale yellow + White | Extreme tonal contrast, washes each other out |
| Orange + Blue | Opposing temperatures, maximum contrast |
| Green with red undertones + Green with blue undertones | Contrasting undertones compete |
While these color combinations have the potential to clash, they can be used to striking effect by expert colorists. But in general, they are best avoided in casual color schemes.
Using Complementary Colors
The most foolproof way to create color harmony is by combining complementary colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. For example:
– Red and green
– Yellow and purple
– Blue and orange
These color pairs balance each other out. They also intensify one another through simultaneous contrast. Complementary colors have enough contrast to be vibrant without clashing.
Analogous color schemes also avoid clashing colors well. Analogous colors sit directly next to each other on the color wheel, meaning they share common undertones.
Color Value Impacts Clashing
The specific lightness, darkness, and saturation of colors impacts how they interact. Changing the values of potentially clashing colors can help them work together better.
For example, a pastel orange and a vivid blue may clash due to contrasting temperatures and saturation. However, subtly darkening the orange and lightening the blue brings them closer in value. This can allow them to combine more harmoniously.
Two clashing bright colors often look better together if one is made softer and muted. This reduces contrast and vibration.
Using Clashing Colors Creatively
Discordant color combinations are not always bad. Clashing colors can be used intentionally to evoke energetic, eclectic, or avant garde aesthetics. Fashion runways, modern interior design, and abstract art often feature unexpected color pairings.
Some creative uses of clashing colors include:
– Using small amounts of a clashing color for accent. A pop of orange in a blue and green palette adds punch.
– Layering clashing colors rather than mixing them evenly. They appear more harmonious when kept somewhat separate.
– Blurring and blending harsh edges between clashing colors. This helps them bleed into each other.
– Making one color dominant to control a clashing color as an accent. The accent color looks more intentional.
– Separating clashing colors with plenty of neutral whitespace. This prevents colored areas from touching.
Skillful colorists can make unlikely color combinations work. But for non-experts, avoiding overly contrasting hues is a good starting point.
Conclusion
Color clashes happen when colors with too much contrast in hue, value, temperature, or undertone are combined. Red and pink, pale yellow and white, orange and blue, and contrasting greens are famously discordant. Complementary color schemes from opposite sides of the wheel combine best. Changing value and saturation levels can improve color compatibility. While clashing colors can be used creatively by skilled designers, beginners should stick to analogous and complementary harmonies. Understanding the basics of color theory helps prevent unappealing color combinations.
