In design, the relationship between colours plays an integral part in the overall look and feel of an image. A brief overview of colour theory and some terms used within are described below:
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key – also known as black)
CMYK is a subtractive colour model. CMYK is referred to as Process Colour or 4-Colour. CMYK is used in printing and the ink is applied in the order of the abbreviation.
RGB (Red, Green and Blue) is an additive colour model. It is used to display images in electronic systems such as TVs and monitors. However, RGB colour is not consistent and is therefore not commonly used for printing.
Subtractive Colour Systems start with white light. Coloured inks or paints are placed between the viewer and the light source (such as white paper) and wavelengths are subtracted from the source to create a colour.
Additive Colour Systems start with a black surface. The reproduction process mixes various amounts of red, green and blue light to produce other colours.
Monochromatic comes from the Greek word monochromos meaning “of one colour”.
A monochromatic image or object consists of shades of a single colour or hue. A ‘grayscale’ or black-and-white image is considered monochromatic.
Analogous colours are colours that are adjacent to one another on the colour wheel.
An analogous colour scheme is composed of only three adjacent colours. These colours harmonize together. Usually, there is only one dominant colour and the others complement the dominant colour.
Complementary colours are pairs of colours that are of “opposite hue” in the same colour model.
Based upon colour theory, if the two colours are mixed properly it will create a neutral colour.
