Colours is one of the most important elements of design as it gives the first look of a design. Harmony is nature’s way of showing that two or more elements, things, colours combine well together. Colour harmony represents a good balance of colours that is pleasing to the eye as the human brain distinguishes the visual interest and the sense of order created by the harmony. Experts have specific ideas based on the principles of colour theory and colour psychology of colour combinations that are aesthetically appealing and pleasing hence the creation of the colour wheel. It becomes the designer’s tool for creating the harmonies and it is therefore essential for a florist to understand how to combine them well and use it in order to create a successful composition. In this presentation, we are going to explore the eight existent colour harmonies.
There are eight colour harmonies:
1. Analogous
2. Monochromatic
3. Complementary
4. Near complementary
5. Split complementary
6. Tetradic
7. Triadic
8. Polychromatic
It is crucial to have an awareness of the colour harmonies as a florist as the effect that colours have on each other and their visual impact are important in a composition.
1. Analogous
The analogous colour scheme uses colours that are adjacent, next to each other on the colour wheel.
1. Analogous
2. Monochromatic
3. Complementary
4. Near complementary
5. Split complementary
6. Tetradic
7. Triadic
8. Polychromatic
It is crucial to have an awareness of the colour harmonies as a florist as the effect that colours have on each other and their visual impact are important in a composition.
1. Analogous
The analogous colour scheme uses colours that are adjacent, next to each other on the colour wheel.
In this interior, the analogous colour scheme used are blue green, green, yellow green.
2. Monochromatic
Monochromatic colours are all the colours (tints, tones, and shades) of a single hue. Monochromatic colour schemes are created with a single base hue and extended using its shades, tones and tints. Tints are obtained by adding white, shades are achieved by adding black and tones are created by adding grey to one of the twelve colours of the wheel.
2. Monochromatic
Monochromatic colours are all the colours (tints, tones, and shades) of a single hue. Monochromatic colour schemes are created with a single base hue and extended using its shades, tones and tints. Tints are obtained by adding white, shades are achieved by adding black and tones are created by adding grey to one of the twelve colours of the wheel.
This outfit illustrates the monochromatic colours scheme of the hue blue with its shades, tones and tints.
3. Complementary
Colours that are opposite to each other on the colour wheel. The high contrast of complementary colours usually creates a vibrant look.
3. Complementary
Colours that are opposite to each other on the colour wheel. The high contrast of complementary colours usually creates a vibrant look.
Red and green are complementary colours as shown in this pictures of bell peppers.
4. Near-complementary
It is a scheme that combines your starting colour with the colour to the right or left of its complement
4. Near-complementary
It is a scheme that combines your starting colour with the colour to the right or left of its complement
This bow illustrates the near complementary colour combination of purple and orange.
5. Split-complementary
A colour plus the adjacent colour to its complement
A colour plus the adjacent colour to its complement
This necklace shows a split complementary colour combination.
6. Tetradic
Tetradic colour scheme uses four colours arranged into two complementary pairs.
6. Tetradic
Tetradic colour scheme uses four colours arranged into two complementary pairs.
This painting demonstrates well a tetradic colour combination
7. Triadic
The triadic colour scheme uses three colours equally spaced around the colour wheel. This scheme is popular among artists because it creates strong visual contrast while retaining balance, and colour richness.
7. Triadic
The triadic colour scheme uses three colours equally spaced around the colour wheel. This scheme is popular among artists because it creates strong visual contrast while retaining balance, and colour richness.
This interior is an example of a triadic colour scheme.
8. Polychromatic
A scheme where any colours are used from all around the colour wheel.
8. Polychromatic
A scheme where any colours are used from all around the colour wheel.
This image shows a polychromatic colour palette which is a mix of any colours from the colours wheel.
Colours have an effect on each other when we combine them. As illustrated by these example, a visually pleasing, successful composition is created with a good understanding of the colour harmonies. As presented, there are eight colour harmonies: analogous, monochromatic, complementary, near complementary, split complementary, tetradic, triadic and polychromatic that can be used by a florist to be creative and create stunning design. Besides taking into consideration colour theory: hue, tint, tone, shade, and colour harmony, a florist also need to understand how people might react to the palette on a psychological level. Learning the meanings and associations of the different colours can help in finding just the right colours and expertly assist customers with all their different requests.
References:
-Menz, D. (2004). Interweave PressColor Works: The Crafter's Guide to Color. USA: Interweave.
-Mollica, P. (2013). Color Theory: An Essential Guide to Color - From Basic Principles to Practical Applications. Laguna Hills, CA: Walter Foster Publishing.
-Pearsons School of Floristry. Cluster Design.
-Wolfgang Von Goethe, J. (1970) . Theory of Colours. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Colours have an effect on each other when we combine them. As illustrated by these example, a visually pleasing, successful composition is created with a good understanding of the colour harmonies. As presented, there are eight colour harmonies: analogous, monochromatic, complementary, near complementary, split complementary, tetradic, triadic and polychromatic that can be used by a florist to be creative and create stunning design. Besides taking into consideration colour theory: hue, tint, tone, shade, and colour harmony, a florist also need to understand how people might react to the palette on a psychological level. Learning the meanings and associations of the different colours can help in finding just the right colours and expertly assist customers with all their different requests.
References:
-Menz, D. (2004). Interweave PressColor Works: The Crafter's Guide to Color. USA: Interweave.
-Mollica, P. (2013). Color Theory: An Essential Guide to Color - From Basic Principles to Practical Applications. Laguna Hills, CA: Walter Foster Publishing.
-Pearsons School of Floristry. Cluster Design.
-Wolfgang Von Goethe, J. (1970) . Theory of Colours. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.