ASSISTANCE PLEASE

It's not often that we are gifted in respect to design related matters, and more often than not it's a struggle to even narrow down the extensive complimentary accent colours Farrow and Ball have to offer. We need not panic, welcome the colour wheel. The theory behind how to pick that combination of complimentary colours.

The basics..

The colour theory covers three particular (and logical) areas, these being the colour wheel itself, colour harmony and the context of how colours are utilised. Colour theories essentially allow and provide necessary structure.
The colour wheel, a historic element within design developed initially by famed Isaac Newton way back in 1666 focusing on red, yellow and blue colours. Since those many years ago typically scientists have worked to develop a more 'to date' version. Although varying slightly, the theory behind each edition remains evidently the same.

The wheel itself has a further three categories;

Primary colours (developed traditionally) consisting of red, yellow and blue. The three main pigments that form other colours.

Secondary colours, green, orange and purple. The colours formed when mixing primary hues.

Tertiary colours. Yellow/orange, red/orange, red/purple, blue/purple, blue/green and yellow/green. Colours formed when combining primary and secondary colours. Hence the hue having a two word name.

To create that much coveted colour harmony that will engage a visual sense of interest, we can follow a range of theories, the most simplistic as follows.

A scheme based upon analogous colours. Analogous colours being those that are side by side on a colour wheel. Complimentary colours, those hues directly opposite on a colour wheel. The opposite colour creates the maximum visual impact.

So, evidently, next time we need assistance with injecting colour into our homes/work place we know exactly where to find the answer. Oh and Dulux' fantastic trade card..simply a play on Isaacs development!


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