Article

A colour harmony model for two-colour combinations

  1. Li-Chen Ou*,
  2. M. Ronnier Luo

Article first published online: 7 APR 2006

DOI: 10.1002/col.20208

Issue

Color Research & Application

Color Research & Application

Volume 31, Issue 3, pages 191–204, June 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ou, L.-C. and Luo, M. R. (2006), A colour harmony model for two-colour combinations. Color Research & Application, 31: 191–204. doi: 10.1002/col.20208

Author Information

  1. Department of Colour & Polymer Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom

*Department of Colour & Polymer Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 APR 2006
  2. Article first published online: 7 APR 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 29 OCT 2005
  4. Manuscript Revised: 8 JUL 2005
  5. Manuscript Received: 14 MAY 2004

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Keywords:

  • colour harmony;
  • colour psychology;
  • colour order;
  • colour pleasantness;
  • colour combinations

Abstract

This study investigates harmony in two-colour combinations in order to develop a quantitative model. A total of 1431 colour pairs were used as stimuli in a psychophysical experiment for the visual assessment of harmony. These colour pairs were generated using 54 colours selected systematically from CIELAB colour space. During the experiment, observers were presented with colour pairs displayed individually against a medium gray background on a cathode ray tube monitor in a darkened room. Colour harmony was assessed for each colour pair using a 10-category scale ranging from “extremely harmonious” to “extremely disharmonious.” The experimental results showed a general pattern of two-colour harmony, from which a quantitative model was developed and principles for creating harmony were derived. This model was tested using an independent psychophysical data set and the results showed satisfactory performance for model prediction. The study also discusses critical issues including the definition of colour harmony, the relationship between harmony and pleasantness, and the relationship between harmony and order in colour. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 31, 191–204, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20208

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