analogous color scheme Archives - Painting In Watercolor

A watercolor split-complementary color scheme is a popular and effective option for adding visual interest and balance to your artwork.

In watercolor painting, the split-complementary color scheme can be an excellent way to create a cohesive and visually appealing painting.

WHAT IS A SPLIT-COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEME?

Basically, it is an analogous color scheme with the addition of a complementary contrasting color.

To locate the colors, begin by selecting three analogous colors on the color wheel. Then select the middle color and select its complementary color on the opposite side of the color wheel.

For example, if the primary color is blue, the complementary contrasting color is orange and the analogous colors of orange are yellow-orange and red-orange. This is a four-color split-complementary color scheme.

For a three-color split-complementary color scheme with blue as the primary color, only the analogous colors yellow-orange and red-orange are used. Orange, the complementary contrasting color for blue, is not used in this three-color split-complementary color scheme.

Using these three or four colors together in a painting creates a vibrant and harmonious effect.

HOW TO USE A WATERCOLOR SPLIT-COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEME

When using a split-complementary color scheme in watercolor painting, it’s important to keep a few things in mind:

Choose your base analogous colors: These colors will be the dominant colors in your painting, so choose analogous colors that you love, and that will set the tone for the rest of the artwork.
Use the complementary contrasting color sparingly: This color should be used in small amounts to create contrast and balance.
Experiment with the analogous colors: These colors can be used in larger amounts to create interest and harmony in the painting.
Consider value and saturation: To add depth and dimension to your painting, vary the value (lightness or darkness) and saturation (intensity) of each color.

EXAMPLES OF SPLIT-COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEMES

Here are a few examples of four-color split-complementary color schemes:

Yellow, and the analogous colors red-violet, violet, and blue-violet
Red, and the analogous colors yellow-green, green, and blue-green
Blue, and the analogous colors yellow-orange, orange, and red-orange

In conclusion, a watercolor split-complementary color scheme is a versatile and effective option for adding visual interest and balance to your watercolor paintings. Experiment with different analogous colors and complementary contrasting colors to create a unique and vibrant artwork that reflects your personal style and creativity.

PRACTICE EXERCISE – WATERCOLOR SPLIT-COMPLEMENTARY COLOR SCHEME

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Choose one of the following transparent and semi-transparent watercolor analogous color scheme groups with its complementary contrasting color:

A yellow, yellow-orange, and yellow-green analogous color group:

Aureolin
New Gamboge
Sap Green
and the complementary color Rose Madder Genuine

A red, red-orange, and red-violet analogous color group:

A blue, blue-green, and blue-violet analogous color group:

Cobalt Blue
Antwerp Blue
Permanent Mauve
and the complementary orange color mixture = Aureolin + Permanent Rose

Compose small value-study paintings using one of the above analogous color groups and the complementary contrasting color, but to start do not mix the colors together.

Paint the unmixed primary color in the “focal point” central area of emphasis in the composition.

Then, paint the analogous colors in varying proportions surrounding the primary color.

Also, use a gray scale value finder as a guide for mixing a range of tonal values for the analogous colors and the complementary contrasting color.

Afterward, add the mid-tonal values and neutralized color mixtures in the outlying areas of the painting composition.

CONCLUSION

By spending time working with the watercolor split-complementary color scheme, you will eventually gain a deeper understanding of color harmony and contrast, and how to organize the colors and values in your painting compositions.

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which watercolor paints are transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Color Schemes” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

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A watercolor analogous color scheme is a color combination that involves using colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. This creates a harmonious effect that is pleasing to the eye.

In watercolor painting, the analogous color scheme can be an excellent way to create a cohesive and visually appealing painting.

THE BASICS OF ANALOGOUS COLORS

To create an analogous color scheme, you will need to choose a color from the color wheel and then select the colors that are next to it.

For example, if you choose blue as your primary color, you might choose blue-green and blue-violet as your secondary colors.

USING ANALOGOUS COLORS IN WATERCOLOR PAINTING

When using an analogous color scheme in watercolor painting, it’s essential to keep in mind the importance of balance.

While you want to use colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, you still need to create a sense of contrast to make your painting visually interesting.

One way to achieve balance is by using a dominant color and then using the other colors as accents.

For example, you might use blue as your dominant color and then use blue-green and blue-violet as accents throughout your painting.

This will create a sense of unity while still providing enough contrast to make the painting visually interesting.

Another way to achieve balance is by using different tones and shades of analogous colors.

For example, you might use a darker shade of blue as your dominant color and then use lighter shades of blue-green and blue-violet as accents.

When using an analogous color scheme, it’s also important to pay attention to the temperature of the colors you’re using.

Warm colors, such as red, orange, and yellow, can create a sense of energy and excitement, while cool colors, such as blue, green, and violet, can create a sense of calm and tranquility.

By using warm and cool versions of your analogous colors, you can create a sense of balance and interest in your painting.

In conclusion, the analogous color scheme can be an excellent choice for watercolor painting. By using colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, you can create a cohesive and visually pleasing painting.

Just remember to pay attention to balance, tone, and temperature to create a painting that is both harmonious and visually interesting.

PRACTICE EXERCISE – WATERCOLOR ANALOGOUS COLOR SCHEME

Use my affiliate links below to purchase the watercolor paints you need.

Choose one of the following transparent and semi-transparent watercolor analogous color scheme groups:

A yellow, yellow-orange, and yellow-green analogous color group:

A red, red-orange, and red-violet analogous color group:

A blue, blue-green, and blue-violet analogous color group:

Compose small value-study paintings using one of the above analogous color groups, but to start do not mix the colors together.

Paint the unmixed primary color in the “focal point” central area of emphasis in the composition.

Then, paint the two secondary colors in varying proportions surrounding the primary color.

Also, use a gray scale value finder as a guide for mixing a range of tonal values for the analogous color scheme.

Afterward, add the mid-tonal values and neutralized color mixtures in the outlying areas of the painting composition.

CONCLUSION

By spending time working with the watercolor analogous color scheme, you will eventually gain a deeper understanding of color harmony and contrast, and how to organize the colors and values in your painting compositions.

To learn more about transparent watercolors, click the link to my blog post “Which watercolor paints are transparent.”

See my YouTube playlist “Watercolor Color Schemes” for more videos. And, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Support me on BuyMeACoffee. Thanks!