Color schemes
Color scheme is a set of colors, selected to work together, to express a desired emotion or effect. There is an unlimited count of various color schemes, yet there are several basic scheme model designers can start with.
Models
The major part of a color scheme is the count of main colors (hues) used within the scheme, and their ratio – how similar or unlike they are, what's the contrast and a tension among them.
Basic color scheme models
- Monochromatic color scheme
- Contrast color scheme
- Split contrast color scheme
- Adjacent color scheme
- Dual-contrast color scheme
- Contradictory color scheme
Base color
Another importnant parameter of a color scheme is the base color. This means, a base hue the model uses to specify all other related colors in the palette. Color schemes built on the very same model, based on deep red, bright orange, or steel blue color will look very different and express different emotions. Besides the base color hue and the choice whether the base is a warm color or a cold color, also its saturation and brightness are important, influencing the final look of the created color scheme.
Shades
Color scheme model and base hue define the main color, or in fact their hues.
