Hue
A hue is any color on the color wheel.
There are three primary colors, red, blue, and yellow. Most of us also know that combining any two of those primary colors will give you one of the secondary colors: red and blue make violet, yellow and blue make green, and red and yellow make orange.
The third set of colors, the tertiary colors, fill in the six gaps between the primary and secondary colors — red-orange, blue-green, red-violet, and so on…
Colors on exact opposites of the color wheel are known as complementary colors.
You might have noticed that black and white are not colors on the color wheel, and thus are not hues, however, variations of the hues found on the basic color wheel are created when white, black, or both are added to the dye lot.
Choose the perfect combination of colors for your projects every time
Complementary and Analogous Colors
To begin exploring the color wheel, find the hue you find most pleasing. Next, find the hue directly across from it on the color wheel. This is a complementary color. This is a bold color combination and can be used for dramatic effects.
Another harmonious combination is referred to as analogous. You can find it by the location of the hues directly next to the color you have chosen. Analogous color combinations are more subtle but can have a very pleasing result.
Color Temperature
No, I’m not suggesting that one color will keep you warmer than another.
By color temperature, I’m referring to tones that are considered warm or cool. Blue, green, and purple are cool colors while red, orange, and yellow are warm colors.
Although not hues, whites, blacks, and grays can work well in any color scheme. Depending upon the undertones of the color, these neutral colors can appear warm or cool.
Cool right? Armed with this knowledge, you’ll find yourself looking at your yarn stash in a whole new light!
Color Dominance
Some colors recede and others are dominant. It’s important to be familiar with the way our eyes react to color so that we can pair the most interesting color combinations.
Almost every good color palette contains a mix of dominant and recessive colors that create balance. A palette without recessive colors can be too overwhelming while a palette of only recessive colors can be dull and boring.
Take a look at the chart below to see how some colors pop while others recede.
Color Mastery like a Pro
Finally, I’d like to offer a few more tips to boost your color confidence. If you aren’t 100% sure that the colors will work try these tips:
- Look around at nature. Snap a picture of the colors in the sky and use them for inspiration. You can match your yarn to the inspiration photo. I once used a picture of y favorite rooster to choose my palette.
- Take it from the pros. Do you have a fabric you love? Pic out the colors that the artist has used as your inspiration.
- Take a picture of the yarns you’d like to combine on your smartphone and choose b/w edit filter to see which colors are dominant and which recede. Is there a balance? Or do you want a start contrast?
Go Ahead! A colorful world awaits!
Don’t forget to share your winning color combinations with me @eotw_alpaca #woollybobbin #edgeofthewoolderness
Need help organizing your stash? Learn how I systemized my stash!
2 comments
Comments are closed.