Are you wondering how to select the perfect color scheme for your next project? You are not alone.

Color is amazing. It stirs and creates emotion which is why selecting the right color scheme for your project is critical.  Those in the creative fields study color theory in depth to become experts in color and pulling together the perfect hues. I will outline below the very basics to provide a baseline understanding of color theory and help you on your journey to select the perfect color scheme.

I hope that it helps inspire your next masterpiece!

Color theory

First, let’s talk color theory. What is color theory? It is essentially how colors are mixed and the result of different combinations of color.  To fully understand color theory, you will need to look into some further education courses, but the basics below and a color wheel will get you on the right path.

Selecting the right color is so critical that many creators always have a color wheel handy to check their intuition. We will touch on a color wheel in just a bit.

Next up, let’s learn some vocabulary words:

These terms are commonly used when talking about color. They can be confusing at first, but do some more research, you’ll be confident when talking about color in no time!

  • Hue – Formal name for a color. Color names describe Hues.
  • Tone – The result of adding grey to a pure hue
  • Tint – Lightness of a hue or a light value of a hue. Created by adding white.
  • Shade – Darkness of a hue or a dark value of a hue. Created by adding black.
  • Value – Lightness or darkness of a hue.

Now that we know a little about color, let’s circle back to that color wheel

The color wheel is thought to be created by Sir Isaac Newton’s from his experiments with light and prisms and representative of the relationships of color.

From the color wheel, the following types of combinations can be created that would have optimal appeal based on their tone, tint, and value.

More vocab! I promise, there is NOT a test after this.

  • Monochrome – All the same hue in varying shades, tints, tones, and/or values.
  • Analogous – a base color and two adjacent colors from the color wheel
  • Complimentary – Colors on the color wheel directly across from each other
  • Split Complimentary – A base color and two colors that are 150 and 210 degrees apart from each other.
  • Triadic – A base color and two colors that are 120 and 240 degrees apart from each other.
  • Square –  A base color and three colors that are 90 degrees apart from each other. 
  • Rectangle –  A base color and three colors that are 60, 180 and 240 degrees apart from each other.
How to select the perfect color scheme for your next project!

Finally, we arrive at color schemes.

This is the part most of us creatives enjoy. The selection of colors creates a color scheme for your project which is also sometimes known as a color palette.

For a much more detailed and in depth look at color theory, start at Wikipedia – Color Theory. There are so many resources out there to further your knowledge about color. If you’re so inclined, check out your local community college for potential color theory courses. I’m also always a supporter of local libraries, there is sure to be books galore on color theory just waiting for you there!

Finally, this my friends, is where your projects are brought to life as you select that perfect color scheme.

I hope that this improves your understanding of how to select the perfect color scheme for your next project and inspires you in your color journey! 

Looking for more color inspiration? Check out Titles & Jotters on Instagram and Facebook for #monochromemonday and currently reading color inspo posts.

Be sure to check out my other posts for more inspiration!