Hello, and welcome to our exploration of complementary colors! Today we’ll learn what they are, how they’re used, color mixing theory, and some exciting examples of what can be done with these opposites. Along the way, we’ll also be in for some big surprises.
As background, my name is Lillie, and I’m an artist and teacher who hand-draws every illustration on this site. From “What is the Opposite of Red?” to every color in between, I delight in the color theory research and learning.
What are Complementary Colors?
Let us begin with the definition. “Complementary colors” are defined as the pairs of colors that sit directly opposite each other on a color wheel. For example, the opposite of blue in the RYB color wheel is orange.
Different Color Wheels
Here’s what’s confusing: There are actually three different forms of the color wheel, so there are often multiple correct answers to what the opposite of any given color would be. In the traditional RYB wheel (illustrated above), the primary colors are red, yellow, and the secondary colors are orange, green, and purple.
In the RGB color wheel used with screens, the primary colors are red, green, and blue, and the secondary colors are yellow, magenta, and cyan. This makes for surprises such as the opposite of yellow being blue, instead of purple in the RYB system!
The CYMK color model has cyan, yellow, and magenta as its primary colors, and red, green, and blue as the secondary ones. Since this color wheel has the same building blocks as the RGB model, it also has the same complementary color answer as that wheel, as we saw in the article, “What is the Opposite of Green?” Let’s see some examples now…
Complementary Colors
In color theory, complementary colors or inverts are the ones that sit directly across from each other on the color wheel. What's confusing is there are actually three different wheels! Here's a summary of each complement.
Opposite of Red
In the RYB color wheel, the complementary color to red is green. In the RGB and CMYK system, its opposite is cyan (a light greenish blue).
Opposite of Orange
The complementary color to orange in the RYB color wheel is blue. In the RGB and CMYK models, its opposite is azure: the bright blue color of a clear mid-day sky.
Opposite of Yellow
In the RYB color wheel, yellow's complementary color is purple. In the RGB and CMYK models, its invert is blue.
Opposite of Green
The complementary color to green in the traditional RYB color wheel is red. In the RGB and CMYK models, however, the opposite color is magenta: a vibrant purplish-pink like fuchsia.
Opposite of Blue
The complementary color of blue in the RYB color wheel is orange. In the RGB and CMYK models, however, its opposite is yellow.
Opposite of Purple
In the RYB wheel, the opposite of purple is yellow. In the RGB or CMYK models, however, its complement is chartreuse: the intermediate color between yellow and green.
Opposite of Pink
There are surprising number of correct answers to what is the complementary color or opposite of pink. Read on to see why....
Opposite of Brown
Since brown is just a dark orange (add black to achieve it), its complement is just dark blue in the RYB model, and dark azure (a grayish-blue) in the RGB and CMYK color wheels. The arrow moves slightly towards dark teal if your brown has more red in it, and closer to dark purple if it's more yellowish.
Complimentary vs. Complementary
Any discussion of complementary colors needs a quick English lesson on the difference between "complimentary" (with an "i") and "complementary" with an "e." The word we want is the latter, and this article explains why.
Uses of Opposite or Invert Colors
What is the purpose of identifying complementary colors? Well, they are the pair that provides the highest possible contrast, so they are vibrant and “pop” excitingly for the eye. Further, when they are combined together, they cancel each other out and create a neutral like brown, gray, or black, as we saw in, “What do Purple and Yellow Make?”
What is the Correct Spelling?
Despite being an experienced English teacher, I messed up the spelling of “complementary colors,” myself — accidentally typing “complimentary colors” numerous times. Check out my lesson on “Complimentary vs. Complementary” to memorize the difference…
Complementary Colors, in Sum
I hope this lesson on complementary colors has been interesting and useful. For further reading, check out my shocking investigation the multiple different definitions of the term “tertiary colors!”
The author and artist, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has been a public school educator since 2003, and an experienced Reiki practitioner since 2018. All art on this site is original and hand-drawn by Lillie. She launched DrawingsOf.com Educational Cartoons in 2020, building upon the success of her other sites, AroundTheWorldL.com (established 2009), TeachingTraveling.com (founded 2010), and ReikiColors.com. Subscribe to Lillie’s monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media to stay connected!
