The color
wheel
(01)
The color wheel is a visual representation of color. Its origins date back to the pioneering work of Sir Isaac Newton in the 18th century. By decomposing white light through a prism, Newton discovered that light was divided into a spectrum of colors.
Color
grading
(02)
The color wheel is based on three types of color: primary, secondary and tertiary. The primary colors, red, blue and yellow, are the foundation of the circle. By mixing them, we obtain the secondary colors: orange, violet and green. Tertiary colors are the result of mixing primary and secondary colors.
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
(03)
Warm,
Cold &
Neutral
The color wheel can also be divided into warm and cool colors. Warm colors, such as red and orange, evoke energy and passion, while cool colors, such as blue and green, are associated with calm and serenity. Neutral colors, such as black, white and grays, offer balance and flexibility in design.
Warm
Cold
Neutral
(04)
Color
schemes
The color wheel is also a valuable guide to creating harmonious color combinations. Triadic combinations use three equidistant colors on the circle, offering high contrast while maintaining harmony. Complementary colors, located directly opposite each other on the circle, create maximum contrast and vibrant intensity. Analogous combinations, using adjacent colors, offer soft, pleasing harmony.
Triadic
Complementary
Analogous