RGB and CMYK color models

RGB color (red, green, blue) is color composed from light from the different phosphors found on monitors and screens. Light is added to the screen in varying amounts to create specific colors. As more of the colors are added to the image, the lighter the color becomes. This is just the opposite of print (CMYK) color.

CMYK color (cyan, magenta,yellow and black) are pigment-based colors used for printed materials. It is very difficult to recreate all of the intensities of color found in the RGB spectrum in CMYK because of the differing nature of the color (light versus pigment). While RGB colors are additive (adding more color lightens the color), CMYK colors are subtractive (reducing the amount of color lightens the color). The more pigment, the darker the colors will be.

analogous colors

Analogous colors are those that lie next to each other on the color wheel. They are colors that blend well together. One of the colors usually predominates the design. Examples of analogous colors are: green, yellow-green and yellow or red, orange and yellow-orange. These colors are usually less vivid and saturated than complementary colors but more rich and enticing that a monochromatic color scheme.

Van Gogh used analogous colors in his paintings. Look at Sunflowers and you will see how he used shades and tints of oranges, yellows and greens.