When colors are put next to each other, our eyes recognize what is called “a visual mix.” What we see, however, depends on the proportion of the colors that are used in certain areas of the image. For example,

• The color with the largest proportional area is the dominant color (the ground).
• Smaller areas are called subdominant colors.
• Accent colors are those with a small relative area, but offer a contrast because of a variation in hue, intensity, or saturation (the figure).
• Placing small areas of light color on a dark background, or a small area of dark on a light background, will create an accent.
• If large areas of a light hue are used, the whole area will appear light; conversely, if large areas of dark values are used, the whole area appears dark.

In addition, alternating color by intensity rather than proportion will also change the perceived visual mix of color.