Double Complimentary Color Schemes

Using two colors that appear side by side along with two contrast colors located directly across from the side by side colors on the 12 part color wheel is referred to as a double complimentary color scheme.  This approach is a bit more complicated because you must use the colors in proportion to one another, but it can create a very effective and visually attractive site.  When using one color from the color-wheel and two colors which are beside the contrast color, rather than using the contrast color, it is called a split-complimentary color scheme.  When using a split complimentary color scheme, be careful or you will end up with a contradictory scheme of secondary colors which kills the site.  A double-split complimentary scheme uses two colors beside two contrast colors on the 12 part color wheel which are applied together in the layout.  Each of these color schemes can be complimentary if the colors are applied carefully in appropriate proportions.