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Double split complementary harmony in practice #1
Learning to master complementary color harmonies can result in some incredibly beautiful paintings. One of the most beautiful I have discovered is the double split complementary harmony. In “Propriano Sunset” I wanted to emphasize the warm colors of the low evening light hitting the buildings against the cool complementary colors in the background. For the buildings I used oranges for the walls, and reds in the tiled roofs (see Painting for Beginners: how to mix oranges). I set these warm colors off against the cooler blues in the sky and green in the palm tree on the left – a perfect application for a double split complementary harmony.
Double split complementary harmony in practice #2
I painted “Last Light, Ventana Wilderness” plein air on the dramatic Big Sur coastline of California. Looking inland as the sun sets in the west, the grass turned a warm yellow green and yellow-orange and the ominous clouds turn a beautiful red and blue violet. Another perfect double split complementary harmony!
Which colors make a double split complementary harmony?
A double split complementary uses the four colors either side of the complements – in Propriano Sunset, the double split complements of red-orange and blue- green.
Here the double split complements are the two colors either side of yellow: yellow-orange and yellow-green, and the two colors either side of violet: red-violet and blue violet.
For Beginners
- To learn the basics of color harmony, see the lessons on color in our Virtual Art Academy® Foundation Program.
For Intermediate and Advanced artists
- To learn everything I know about color harmony and the 18 color harmonies I have discovered, see the lessons on Color Harmonies in our Virtual Art Academy® Apprentice Program.
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope you find it useful. If you would like to get free painting tips by email, please sign up for my free tips newsletter.
If you are interested in a structured approach for learning how to paint, take a look at my online painting classes.
Happy painting!
Barry John Raybould
Virtual Art Academy
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I wanted to get a comprehensive art education with the freedom to work at my own pace. I’m several years into the curriculum and I feel like my work has drastically improved. I’ve found holes in my knowledge that I didn’t know I had. Critiquing other students posts and reading their feedback to mine has… Read more “comprehensive art education”
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I never had formal training in painting and my style has always been very realistic, slow and not at all artistic, just a copy of a photograph. When I got word of the course available through Virtual Art Academy, I was very excited for the opportunity to learn what I never knew about painting. VAA… Read more “An excellent foundation on so many aspects of painting”
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I finished the VAA course a few years ago, but always refer to the notes, rereading the course many times. This is not a course the day you are finished, you are done. No, you keep practising the assignments getting better and better over time. When I look back at my work when I had just… Read more “No need to buy expensive art books…. Just do the VAA 4 year course. I still refer to it”
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Barrys virtual art academy has given me so many skills i am beginning to paint the way i wanted to all along!!