Complementary Colours

Complementary Colours

Complementary colours are those that have the maximum contrast with each other. Black and white are not colours, they are tones or shades. Black is the darkest possible shade and white is the lightest possible shade. They are very contrasting because they are opposite tones. Nothing will stand out on black as white will.

Colours can be used in the same way. Complimentary colours are those that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. If we break all colours down into the primary colours we can work out the complimentary colours easily.

Red and Green are complimentary colours. Green is made from yellow and blue. Red is the only colour not in green. Green is the only colour not in Red. They are virtually opposite colours and are the colours they have the greatest contrast with each other.

The pairs of complimentary colours are: