Monochromatic Color Scheme

• Monochromatic color scheme: utilizes just one color with varying levels of saturation and value.

• In oil painting, many artists start with a monochromatic layer then build color on top.

• This way, the value structure can be established without having to worry about multiple colors.

Analogous Color Scheme

• Analogous color scheme: uses colors which are next to each other on the color wheel.

• For example, blues and greens, or oranges and yellows.

• These colors have a close relationship with each other.

• There is not that much hue contrast between analogous colors, so you need to make sure you are creating enough contrast using the other elements like value or saturation.

Complementary Colors

• Complementary colors: colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel.

• When placed next to each other, there is an extremely strong contrasting and vibrant effect.

• If overused, your painting may become jarring and uncomfortable to look at.

• Split-complementary color scheme: utilizes a base color and two secondary colors.

  • It is similar to the complementary color scheme, but one of the complements is split.

Shape Color Schemes

• Triadic color scheme: utilizes colors which are evenly spaced on the color wheel.

  • For example, yellow, blue and orange.

• Rectangular color scheme: utilizes four colors positioned around the color wheel in the shape of a rectangle.

  • This is a tricky color scheme to manage, as there are four colors involved.

• Square color scheme: four colors evenly spaced on the color wheel