Color is the most important part of designing a scrapbook layout.  There are a few basic principles that will enhance your scrapbooking by improving your use of various color schemes.

COLOR SCHEMES:

Monochromatic- This color scheme is the easiest to work with.  One hue is used in various values and intensities to create subtle graduations.  Use a monochromatic scheme to send a particular message with one color, while at the same time introducing variety.  Bazzill Paper comes in beautiful Monochromatic packs so the color sorting work is already done for you.

Analogous- Two to four colors adjacent on the color wheel are used together to create this color scheme.  It works well because the adjacent colors have similar undertones and sunchronize well together.
(Using more than four colors causes your layout to lose harmony)

Complementary- Complementary colors are two hues directly opposite on the color wheel.  Try going a step further to create a split comlementary scheme; pair one color with two colors directly adjacent to it's complement. 

Triadic- A color triad consists of three colors equally spaced on the color wheel.  A triadic scheme is great to use when you want to create a more varied look or an assorted range of  moods and emotions.  Each of the three colors you choose will be very different, but when used together, in correct proportions, they will create a beautiflly balanced layout.

COLOR WHEEL:

Follow these steps when using your Bazzill brand or other color wheel to select cardstock and other design elements (like Bazzill ribbon and Bazzill add ons) that work best with your photos.
1. Locate on the color wheel two or more key colors from your focal point on your photographs.

2. Evaluate the relationship between these colors.  Are they close together or far apart?  How does the value and intensity of each color compare?  Are they bright, muted, dark or light?

3. Determine if  the mood of the colors is appropriate for the message of your layout.  If not, which colors would communicate the intended emotion?  Consider all of your options by veiwing them with the focal point photo and any addional photos you plan to put on your page.  A swatch ring can come in handy at this point.

4. Choose your colors.  Remember, there are no absolutes.  Use what you like best!

5.  Use the color wheel to see if there are additional colors that could be used as accents.

6. Consider proportion.  Which color should dominate your design?  Think about the visual strength for your photos; adjust the value of the intensity of your colors to avoid losing emphasis.

7.  Don't forget to consider neutrals like black, white, brown, tan, beige, taupe and grey.  A foundation of neutral colors may help you use your selected colors more effectively.

The day I actually got a color wheel and used it to plan my layouts, my scrapbooking changed.  I no longer had to plan a page around the color shirt my daughter was wearing!

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