When Blue Green Meets Red Orange

Step 1:

Create a 4-step tinting gradation from Blue Green at 100% hue, at the L-most column.

Step 2:

Create another 4-step tinting gradation from its complementary, Red Orange, at 100% hue, at the R-most column.

Step 3:

Create a mixture of Blue Green and Red Orange that is "cooler". Place this on the column next to the Blue Green.

Step 4:

Create another mixture of Blue Green and Red Orange that is "warmer". Place this on the column next to the Red Orange.

Observation:

This 4x4 matrix was quite a challenge for me. Of all the steps, I took the longest in steps 3 and 4. I was already comfortable developing the right hue to represent blue green, and tinting it in 3 other steps was truly not that difficult. But steps 3 and 4 were mixtures, and it was up to my eye to gauge its temperature, and its logical tint when white is mixed in increasing amounts.

Generalization:

Although it doesn't scan well, column 3 from the L (the mixture close to Red Orange), produced rather earthy, muddy shades of brown. I was so surprised to find out that the base colors of my comforter was blue and orange, two of the colors I least use and prefer! Thinking it was "mocha", I automatically partner shades of that brown with baby pink - for that dessert cake feel. No wonder when I put up (and took down) a cyan colored poster it felt appropriate!

Another thing I realized is that I often select colors that are combinations of complementary colors, after all. To me, they're all just "muted" or "neutral" which I often gravitate to rather than the bold and bright. But this has awaken me to the knowledge that I don't prefer cool or warm by themselves, but a balance of them together.