Color Theory - Part 2

In this article we will cover additive and subtractive colour models along with colour schemes that help in choosing harmonious colour palettes. In case you missed part 1 you can check it out by clicking here. 

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Additive and subtractive colour models 

CMYK

• Stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (black). 
• Used in print media and these are the colours that you will see inside your ink cartridges. 
• It is called a subtractive colour model as you have to subtract colours to get white. 
• Values range from 0 to 100 wherein when all values are 100 it is pure black and when all values are 0 it is pure white. 

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RGB

• Stands for Red, Green and Blue. 
• Used for digital media. 
• It is called an additive colour model as you have to add colours to get white. 
• Values range from 0 to 255 wherein when all values are 0 it is pure black and when all values are 255 it is pure white.

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Introduction to colour schemes 

Colour schemes help choose harmonious colour palettes and there are 6 such schemes in total as follows.  

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Monochromatic 

Consists of a single colour along with its tints and shades. 

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Analogous 

You take one main colour and two others are directly next to it. You can add two more colours that are next to the two colours added for a five colour palette. 

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Complementary 

Consists of colours that are opposite in the colour wheel.

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Split Complementary 

Consists of colours that include one dominant colour and two colours directly adjacent to the dominant colours complement. 

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Triadic 

Consists of three colours placed equally in line around the colour wheel. 

Tetradic 

Consists of four colours that are equidistant from each other on the colour wheel. Since the colours can either form a square or a rectangle it is also referred to as square colour scheme and rectangle colour scheme respectively. 

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With this we come to the end of a two part colour theory fundamentals. If you wish to check out my article on colour psychology you can do so by clicking here.