Color wheel

What is a circle of color scale

This concept first arose in the distant seventeenth century. With his help, a clear rule of mnemonics was discovered, which makes it possible to form and further fix the basic principles of color compatibility.

The color circle allows you to combine the wardrobe according to the basic principles of color compatibility.

The circle of color combinations was created by the famous artist Johannes Itten. Its main goal is to maximize the convenience of using a scheme of possible shades that perfectly match each other. This is a kind of cheat sheet on the combination of tones, which is actively used in a variety of industries. All known shades are distributed according to the predominance and placed next to the shades that interact harmoniously. The tones are inscribed inside, starting with the basic and ending with the tertiary. We get different shades by combining the main colors of this palette. The main ones are: blue, scarlet, yellow. Johannes Itten's circle has a sphere inside that completely covers the entire color spectrum.

Itten's color circle helps to choose harmonious shades.

Rectangular diagram

The rectangular scheme consists of four colors, each two of which are complimentary.

This scheme gives, perhaps, the largest number of variations of the colors included in it. To make it easier to balance the rectangular scheme, one color should be chosen dominant, the rest auxiliary.

Basic rules of color combinations

There are many options for combining the wardrobe. If we are talking about a casual or business bow, it is recommended to take a dark tone as a basis. Choose light details for the basic items of a ladies' or men's suit (trousers or skirts).

In the composition of color ensembles, it is necessary to avoid cases when clothes in their appearance resemble "bright Parsley". If you want to achieve contrast, give up equal proportions of tones. In coloristic blocking, give preference to one bright tone, combining it with inexpressive ones, and you will be irresistible.

Examples of successful stylistic combinations based on pastel and light shades.

Balance the flashy shades with neutral ones. Keep in mind that not all neutral colors can be used in combination with catchy ones. For example, stylists do not recommend choosing a bright tone for black, because it is already self-sufficient and saturated.

Choosing something neutral, you can safely use three wardrobe items of the same color, and no more. Having decided to make your image bright, take just one bright and a couple of neutral tones.

In a bright bow, the main thing is not to overdo it, it is better to limit yourself to one or several notes.

Gray, as well as a delicate beige palette, sets off your appearance favorably. This successful combination, according to stylists, brings a touch of softness to any image. Having grasped the essence of how to combine colors according to the color circle, you will be on top!

The beige color scheme perfectly sets off the appearance, emphasizing all its advantages.

How the Itten color circle works

In this scheme, all contrasting colors relative to each other are located on the opposite side. At the same time, it combines both cold and warm shades equally.

Itten's scheme includes 12 maximally saturated colors obtained from the three central ones, also called primary, these are red, blue and yellow. By alternately mixing adjacent shades, secondary orange, purple and green are obtained. Then another mixing is performed, resulting in six tertiary colors.

Ways to combine several colors according to the Itten scheme

There are many ways to get harmonious color combinations using the Itten circle. Below I will list some of the most effective and frequently used.

Complementary combination

Here, two maximally contrasting tones are taken, located opposite each other according to the specified scheme. They are also called complementary or complementary colors.

This combination option is suitable for creating an expressive accent – one shade is taken as the base, and the second is not used too often to highlight certain objects against the general background. As in the example with the text in the image above, the base color is on the background, and the inscription is perfectly highlighted due to the strong contrast.

Classical triad

If there is no need for such a strong accentuation and contrast of elements, you can use the triad principle. Although it has several types, the first one is classic. With the help of this principle, you can choose one basic and pick up two different, but harmonious additional tones to it.

To form a combination, an equilateral triangle is used in this combination. Three colors at its different corners form a balanced scale.

Analog triad

The second option of the color combination. In this way, you can not limit yourself to three, but take, say, five shades. And those that are located nearby on the Itten circle. In this combination, strong or sharp contrasts are excluded. If you use it to select tones, then the final combination will be restrained and calm, with smooth transitions.

Contrast triad

In this case, a complementary combination is taken as a basis, but the additional color is replaced by two others located side by side according to the color scheme. The result is a kind of isosceles triangle. This triad is good because it allows contrasts, but not as sharp as in the case of additional tones.

Tetrad

If two or three colors are not enough, you can use the tetrad principle, it covers a fairly wide range. With the help of a square, you can choose 4 different colors that will perfectly match each other.

Rectangle

It is also a good scheme for determining four colors for the design, but not as contrasting as in the above scheme. With the help of a rectangle, you can choose two complementary pairs that are close to each other in shades.

What to do with thousands of other shades

There are only 12 colors in the circle, and the designer has to operate with countless shades. Itten's circle is a simplified scheme, not a full-fledged solution. But it can be used more widely.

Let's say you need a complementary color to turquoise. It's not on the circle, but we understand that it's between green and blue. This means that on the circle the color you need will be as far away from the border of these two colors as possible. The farthest point is the border between red and red-orange. Mixing these colors will be complementary to turquoise.

Choosing specific shades of turquoise and red-orange is the work of the designer.

It is also worth remembering about saturation and brightness. The color can be pale or juicy, dark or light. For example, red can be completely unsaturated — pink. Or very dark — burgundy. This also affects the perception of the picture.

Competent combinations of shades

The Itten circle and color harmonies allow you to choose shades correctly. There are a number of ideal options in any sense, the use of which allows you to look one hundred percent. An attractive appearance largely depends on the ability to combine tones. Being able to work with basic groups, you can easily "juggle" color combinations.

Options for a successful game with shades in the women's wardrobe.

Red-pink gamma

Red is a bright, rich and juicy color that makes the image simply delicious. At the same time, it requires caution in the selection of additional shades. No tone should go beyond the boundaries of red, the ideal combinations are beige, gray, milk, chocolate and blue.

Competent wardrobe combinations based on red.

Pink color is multifaceted. It can be both cold and warm. For a warm option, choose things of a mint or lilac shade. If the main pink is a little cold, complement it with neutral accessories, as well as a blue tone, blue and turquoise. As an option, a shade of jeans.

The perfect pair to pink – things in blue and blue.

Coral tones can be successfully shaded with a light beige or gray tone. Rose and light lilac will also successfully dilute coral. As an option, pick up light yellow tones or khaki color.

Excellent coral-colored bows with the addition of "fresh" notes.

Green-turquoise range

Green in a cool tone looks fresh and impressive, perfectly combined with a neutral gray or blue and cream shade. Green in its warm version looks harmoniously against the background of brown, chocolate and beige. Delicate apricots in tandem with warm green will create a pleasant image for a romantic evening.

Classic combinations – black-green and white-green ensemble. These are universal solutions for any images from everyday to evening.

Green color is rich in successful combinations, choose the right option to set off the beauty of this noble color.

Turquoise color will decorate things of sunny yellow tones and laconic white. And the shade of fuchsia plays well with it. Also, for refined and light images, a dirty pink shade and a subtle beige (ivory, ivory, champagne shade) are suitable.

Interesting options for ensembles with turquoise color.

Chocolate-burgundy color scheme

Brown in all its variations (from coffee to a shade of dark chocolate) can be diluted with many other colors. Perhaps the most suitable are bright green, blue and red tones. Also, the classics are always relevant - white and black. A mix with a yellow or lemon shade will look good, giving the image warmth and lightness.

Brown is very versatile and perfectly combines with white-black, orange and blue colors.

It is desirable to saturate burgundy and wine with a delicate olive, gray or rich green. The berry shade of blueberries or blackberries is also ideal in this case. The nobility of Bordeaux does not require reinforcement with bright colors, it is a self-sufficient shade. The main task of the accompanying range is to emphasize its luxury and shade the depth to achieve balance.

Stylish winter combinations based on burgundy color.

Burgundy color in everyday bows.

Yellow-lemon gamma

Yellow likes a tandem with something light, as a result we get a gentle, elegant image. If you chose an ochre tone or a rich orange, they also look advantageous against the background of the main yellow. Another successful combination is sunny yellow and muted pastel shades of lime and lemon. For contrast, take black or turquoise.

Solar bows based on yellow color.

Lemon looks great in tandem with delicate shades of blue, light blue, turquoise, as a result, fresh and summer onions will turn out.

Lemon-yellow color has excellent compatibility with both bright and dark shades.

Mustard shades look good with the whole range of green and brown, and a combination with white and light milk is also perfect. Bold young ladies can combine a mustard shade with coral or fuchsia color. However, the most popular and spectacular are the tandems with blue and wine.

The two most successful combinations based on mustard: with blue and burgundy (marsala).

Having studied how to use a color wheel, you can easily combine colors, and in any case you will look perfect.

Automatic palette selection tools

You can choose a combination of specific shades on the expanded color wheel. It allows you to accurately set the tone, saturation, brightness and find suitable colors using the schemes of the Itten circle.

Adobe also has a handy tool. It is based on the same combination rules, but allows you to quickly edit the parameters of each color in the palette and see how the harmonious gamma changes from this.

ticks in more detail.