Do you really know? Which colours go well together according to science?
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Jan 19, 2026 Explore how colour preferences are rooted in science and art history. Discover the colour wheel, distinguishing its primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Learn about its practical applications in design, fashion, and graphics. Delve into the origins, tracing the evolution from Newton's prism to Goethe's theories. Understand complementary colours like blue and yellow and how they interact. Find out how certain colour combinations can evoke emotions, offering tips to enhance your daily choices in décor and outfits.
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Colour Wheel Explains Colour Relationships
- The colour wheel organises hues into primary, secondary and tertiary colours to show relationships.
- This visual tool helps predict harmonious combinations like complementary and analogous pairs.
Historical Roots In Newton And Goethe
- The colour wheel traces back to Isaac Newton's prism experiments and later theories by artists and scientists.
- Goethe and others formalised the wheel as a tool for aesthetic classification and teaching.
Complementary Colours Create Contrast
- Complementary colours sit opposite each other on the wheel and create striking contrasts.
- Blue and yellow are complementary, which explains why they pair well despite seeming counterintuitive.
