Tertiary Colors

Tertiary Colors: A Complete Guide

Anupam Tiwari
By Anupam Tiwari | July 3, 2024 7:00 am

Are you looking to expand your knowledge of color theory? Understanding tertiary colors is essential for any designer or artist. In this guide, we’ll discuss what tertiary colors are, how they fit into the color wheel, and their importance in design.

Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color. This results in a rich and diverse palette that can add depth and complexity to your designs. The tertiary color wheel provides a visual representation of these blends, showcasing the harmonious relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Moreover, AI Design Tools have revolutionized how we approach color selection and application. These tools can help you effortlessly pick and use tertiary colors to meet various design needs, ensuring your projects are aesthetically pleasing and professionally executed. So, without further delay, let’s start right away!

Table of Contents

What are Tertiary Colors?

Have you ever noticed how some colors seem to bridge the gap between primary and secondary colors? Those beautiful blends are called tertiary colors. They're created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color next to it on the color wheel. Understanding the tertiary colors definition is crucial for anyone involved in design, as these colors offer a broader range of options for creating visually appealing works. To define tertiary color more clearly, let’s first revise these concepts.

What are Primary Colors? Just a quick refresher – primary colors are the building blocks of all other colors. They are red, yellow, and blue, and they can't be created by mixing other colors.

What are Secondary Colors? Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors. For example, red and yellow make orange, and blue and yellow make green.

Understanding Tertiary Colors:

Now, back to tertiary colors! There are two common ways to define them:

  • Mixing a Primary and a Secondary Color: This definition says a tertiary color is created by mixing one part primary color with one part of the secondary color adjacent to it on the color wheel. For example, mixing red with orange (which is yellow and red mixed) creates a red-orange tertiary color.
  • Mixing Two Secondary Colors: This definition says a tertiary color is created by simply mixing two secondary colors. So, blue and green would create a blue-green tertiary color.

How Many Tertiary Colors Are There?

Depending on the definition you use, there are either 3 or 6 tertiary colors. With the first definition (mixing a primary and a secondary color), there are 6 tertiary colors:

  • Blending yellow and green results in yellow-green, also known as chartreuse color.
  • Mixing orange and yellow produces yellow-orange, also known as amber color.
  • Combining red and orange creates red-orange, often referred to as vermillion color.
  • Mixing blue and purple yields blue-purple, commonly known as violet color.
  • Blending purple and red results in red-purple, also called magenta color.
  • Combining green and blue produces blue-green, which can be referred to as turquoise color.

If you go with the second definition (mixing two secondary colors), there are 3 tertiary colors:

  • Orange-green (mixing orange and green color)
  • Violet-red (mixing violet and red color)
  • Green-blue (mixing green and blue color)

Tertiary colors offer a wider range of color options than primary and secondary colors alone. They add a subtle complexity and richness to your designs. For example, a red-orange can add warmth to a design, while a blue-green can create a calming and natural feel. Appy Pie’s Color Wheel is a fantastic tool that helps you accurately pick tertiary colors for your designs. You can easily create a color identity for your brand or evoke a specific emotion for any design project by using this tool efficiently.

Tertiary Colors Meaning and Color Psychology

Tertiary colors inherit some symbolic meaning from their parent colors. Red-orange, for example, can evoke feelings of warmth and energy, while blue-green can create a sense of calmness and nature. Understanding the psychology of colors can elevate your designs. Let us see how tertiary colors can influence your audience:

  • Red-orange: This color exudes warmth, excitement, and energy. It's great for grabbing attention or conveying action.
  • Yellow-orange: This cheerful hue evokes feelings of optimism, happiness, and creativity.
  • Yellow-green: This color brings a sense of balance and harmony. It can represent growth and new beginnings.
  • Blue-green: This calming and refreshing color is often associated with nature and tranquility.
  • Blue-violet: This sophisticated hue evokes feelings of luxury, creativity, and wisdom.
  • Red-violet: This passionate and bold color can symbolize love, romance, or even mystery.

Moreover, you can even use our Color Mixer tool to create new shades by mixing two to four colors easily in seconds. You can then pick this new shade to use for any type of design project.

Tertiary Color Wheel Gives Us a Variety 

Are you stuck in a design rut with just primary and secondary colors? The tertiary color wheel enables you to explore a wider spectrum of beautiful hues! These colors bridge the gap between primary and secondary colors, offering a more diverse palette for your creative projects.

  • Effortless Mixing: Creating stunning tertiary colors is super easy. Simply grab a color wheel and pick a primary color. Then, choose the secondary color next to it. Mix the primary and secondary colors in equal parts, and voila! You've got a gorgeous tertiary color ready to use.
  • Subtle Sophistication: Tertiary colors add a touch of refinement to your designs. They lack the boldness of primary colors and the simplicity of secondary colors. This subtle complexity creates a more sophisticated and visually interesting aesthetic.
  • Evoke Specific Emotions: Did you know colors can influence emotions? Tertiary color combinations inherit some symbolic meaning from their parent colors. For example, red-orange radiates warmth and energy, while blue-green creates a sense of calmness. Use tertiary colors strategically to evoke specific feelings in your audience.
  • Experiment and Explore: Don't be afraid to get creative with tertiary colors! Play around with different combinations, see how they interact with each other, and discover how they can bring your design ideas to life. The possibilities with tertiary color schemes are endless!

So next time you're designing something, consider the power of tertiary colors! With their wider range, subtle complexity, and ability to evoke emotions, they can be a valuable asset in your creative toolbox.

Need a little inspiration to get started? Appy Pie's Image Color Picker Tool can be of great help! Upload an existing image and instantly extract the exact colors, including those beautiful tertiary hues. This can be a fantastic way to discover new color combinations and boost creativity.

Conclusion

The tertiary colors can significantly enhance your design capabilities. Blending primary and secondary colors helps you to access a richer palette that carries distinct meanings and psychological impacts, allowing for more nuanced and sophisticated design choices.

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