Tip: Using Contrasting or "Clashing" Colors

  A contrasting color can be used to draw attention to a particular part of an image it can be used to make a subject stand out against a background where it would otherwise blend in.
   A contrasting color is a color on the opposite side of the color wheel, a color does not have to be on the exact opposing side of the color wheel to be considered contrasting.

Here are a few examples of contrasting colors:

 For the next couple of examples we will be using the orange/blue contrast.

When you have an image where a subject seems to blend into the background, it may be good to use contrasting colors to make your subject stand out more.








If coloring the subject in the contrasting color of the background is not feasible, you may want to try using lighting to provide contrast, for example, if your scene is a blue winter scene, consider using the warm orange glow of  candlelight to provide a contrasting color light over your subject.

Here is an example of lighting being used to provide contrast, all the the spheres are a grey color and orange lights are being used to provide contrast to a subject that would ordinarily blend in.








I hope this post helps you in your future art projects, thank you for reading!

Images in this post may be used on your own blog or website as long as you link back, thanks!