There are many articles out there explaining how to use colour theory to decorate your living or work space. Sometimes you’ll have complete control over wall colours, furnishings and the like, but often you won’t or perhaps it’s not time for a big rennovation. In either case, how do you incorporate wall art to complement your carefully designed or pre-existing decor?
Wall art serves to enhance the mood and feel of a space. It can inspire, intrigue and ignite passion. Alternatively it can infuse soothing calm and serenity. Fine art nature photographic prints are perfect for all these roles with a wide variety of subjects, styles and color palettes to choose from. What principles then should we follow when selecting a piece beyond a personal affinity for the subject depicted? This is where an understanding of colour theory comes into play.
Colour Theory: Just The Essentials
Let's take a look at colour theory from the perspective of selecting the wall art that best complements our living or work space. Red, blue and yellow are called primary colours; they cannot be made by mixing any other colours. Combine the primary colours in equal parts and you get the secondary colours: orange, green and purple. Mix a primary with a secondary colour and a tertiary colour results. These less vivid hues tend to have creative names such as aqua (for blue-green) or mauve for example. The relationship between all these colours is easily seen on the colour wheel.
Over centuries of experimentation and experience, visual artists discovered people respond to different combinations of colours in certain ways. Most folks seem to agree that certain colours “go together” in a pleasing way but it doesn’t stop there. Deeper emotional responses seem to elicited by certain colours and colour combinations. These too can be easily visualized on the colour wheel.
A Monochromatic Colour Scheme
The simplest is a monochromatic colour scheme where most major elements in a room (wall colour, furnishings etc) while they may vary somewhat in tone, are based around a single hue.
A colour palette based around olive green
A monochromatic colour palette complemented by a large forest print. A Walk With Giants. ©James Thompson Photography
Analogous Colours
Expanding out from monochromatic, we can use analogous colours; those that are right next to each other on the colour wheel. These give a space a cohesive mood or feeling but allow for some visual variety to keep things a bit more lively.
Analogous colours on the colour wheel.
Greens and yellows, analogous colours on the colour wheel, give a bit more visual interest. Wave and Sunlit Kelp. ©James Thompson Photography
Complementary Colours
A concept many people are familiar with, even intuitively is that of complementary colours. These are defined as being opposite each other on the colour wheel. This also introduces the concept of colour contrast and any time you're adding contrast to a print or room decor, you're adding more visual excitement and energy. The more saturated or intense the colours, the higher energy imbued to the room.
Blue and yellow are a classic complementary pair of colours and are found throughout nature.
Subtle Sunrise. ©James Thompson Photography. Subtle complementary blues and yellows give a gentle, pleasing colour contrast...
...whereas a stronger colour contrast adds drama to any room. Sea Stacks, Waves and Sunset. ©James Thompson Photography
Triadic Colours
Finally, we have triadic colour palettes which as the name implies involve 3 colours spaced evenly around the colour wheel. These create perhaps the most vibrant and highest energy decor.
A set of triadic colours.
A high energy colour palette to be sure! Sunset Sand Ripples. ©James Thompson Photography
Are you starting to see how all this might help in selecting which nature themed prints might look best in your space?
Colour Temperature: Warm and Cool Colours
Maybe less scientific but nonetheless but still important when designing your space are the associations we tend to make with various colours. Broadly speaking, we tend to think of reds, oranges and yellows as warm colours whereas blues, greens and violets tend to be considered cool. These associations can create a mood not only for a print but also for an overall decor. The blues and greens of water and foliage used alone can create a calm, tranquil mood. Reds can stir up danger and passion, whereas oranges suggest a more warm and cozy feel. Yellows can imply an uplifting energy.
Cooler colours create a spa like feel. Leaf Spiral. ©James Thompson Photography
Warmer tones impart a soft, welcoming energy to a space. Coastal Wolf in the Mist. ©James Thompson Photography
Just as with the more pure colours, you can contrast colour temperature to imply more energy also. A print with a strong warm tone will contrast beautifully with a cooler wall colour and serves to create a real focal point in the room.
Contrasting colour temperatures is a great way to give your print some well deserved visual attention, even in a potentially busy space. Stream Side Spirit Bear. ©James Thompson Photography
Breaking The Rules
Now you know the "rules", go and break them! Your choice of wall art is a very personal decision and depending on the size of the piece, a significant financial investment. Don't feel too bound trying to get all the colours "right"; go with what feels best to you and enjoy your choices.
A black and white abstract print of reflections in water. Take that, colour theory! Eyes in the Boat Wake. ©James Thompson Photography
Conclusion
Hopefully this is a useful guide for how to think about colour harmonies when selecting wall art for your home or office.
Don't forget to check out my collection of fine art nature photographic prints. The great thing about the online store is that you can upload a picture of your room and digitally "hang" the image in your space. Simply click on the red "Preview in your room" button, upload a picture of your room and away you go. This try-before-you-buy feature can really help in finding a print that's the best fit for you.