🎭Style & CompositionLesson 4 of 6
Color Theory for AI
10 min
basicsColor isn't random. Color palettes create harmony, contrast, and emotional response. AI responds to color terminology—you can specify palettes, color relationships, and dominant hues to control the chromatic feel of your images.
Key Concepts
- 1Complementary colors: opposites on color wheel, high contrast
- 2Analogous colors: neighbors on color wheel, harmonious
- 3Monochromatic: variations of single hue, cohesive
- 4Warm palette: reds, oranges, yellows—energy, passion
- 5Cool palette: blues, greens, purples—calm, mystery
Examples
Prompt
forest scene, teal and orange color palette, complementary colors, cinematic color grading
Result
Vibrant scene with intentional color contrast
Prompt
portrait, monochromatic blue palette, different shades of blue, melancholic mood
Result
Cohesive, emotionally consistent portrait
Pro Tips
"Cinematic color grading" invokes professional film looks
Specify dominant color: "predominantly red with blue accents"
"Desaturated" or "muted colors" for subtle, sophisticated looks
"Vibrant" or "saturated" for bold, energetic images
Summary
Color palettes control visual harmony and emotional response. Specify them explicitly for intentional results.
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