1. Color combinations -- color theory in action

Monochromatic color scheme (same hue, different tints and shades, plus a little yellow!)
http://refreshthetriangle.org/

Mono-achromatic color scheme -- one color can go a long way (with a touch of green/orange)!
http://www.andyrutledge.com/

Analogous colors (next to each other on the wheel)
http://www.halleck.com/
Greens and browns create a visually "calm" design.

http://www.tennesseetheatre.com/
This site uses analogous colors. Do you think the colors are too similar or does this color scheme work?

Excessively similar analogous colors
http://www.bridgingthegap.org/index.php
http://www.allentownrecycles.org/
Selecting complementary or contrasting colors helps with contrast. Is it a good idea to use 3 different hues of green?

Complementary colors (opposite each other on the wheel)
http://www.timmarrs.co.uk/
This site demonstrates the use of complementary colors.

Split complementary color scheme
http://moofx.mad4milk.net/
This pastel color scheme has split complementary colors (orange, green and blue)

Triadic color scheme (3 equidistant colors on the wheel)
http://www.aarado.ie/
These colors seem to work well together...

Black and white (and grey) are colors too!
http://www.implantspecialist.com/
Black and grey with red tones. Do these color selections work for this topic?

2. Appropriate use of color

Warm color palette
http://www.pbs.org/weta/faceofrussia/series-index.html
Is this color palette appropriate for the topic, purpose and audience? What message does it convey?

Cool color palette
http://www.mbayaq.org/efc/
Is this the best color palette for this site? Would different colors work just as well?

Appropriate color and mood
http://www.bettyblowtorchmovie.com/
What do these colors communicate about the site and its theme?

http://www.ivgroup.cc/
What do these colors communicate about the site?

http://azt.cl/
Striking... black, white and red. What message does this send the viewer about this site?

Chronological association
http://www.private-art.com/
Do these colors convey a sense of the past?

Appropriate colors for topic
http://arkarts.com/default.asp
Is this color scheme appropriate for the subject (museum)?

http://biolinksolutions.com/
Technical color scheme?

http://www.bpscpas.com/default.asp
Are these color appropriate for this type of business?

http://www.yosemitepark.com/
Environmental color palette?

http://www.shopcupcake.com/
Pastel palette for babies?
Compare the colors used in the site above to this site's palette (also for children's clothes):
http://www.weethreechildrensstore.com/3.html

Cultural association
http://www.accordionbrand.com/
Is it a wise idea to use traditional Halloween colors for a site?

Appropriate for audience
http://www.keysdining.com/
Why did they pick these colors for this site? Who is their target audience and would this color scheme appeal to them?

3. Color that aids readability and understanding

Contrasting text and background
http://www.itcfonts.com/fonts/newfonts/2006
Black text on white background is the easiest to read.

White text on a BRIGHT colored background
http://www.greekhotel.com/
How easy is this to read compared to the site above?

4. Color as a tool

Color coding helps organize sections of site
http://www.crestnyc.com/
Use color to visually organize a site into sections
http://www.ingenta.com/corporate/

Color helps with visual organization
http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/ferry/schedule.jsp
Use color to highlight rows or distinguish items in complex tables or charts

http://www.1webimage.com/
Color used to visually group content.

Color for visual interest
http://www.osmosis.com/enzbath.cfm
Use color contrast in headings and text to create interesting typography

5. Color Use or Abuse?!

http://www.softballmag.com/
Too many colors?

http://www.jessett.com/
This one is bright! Nice color combo or color abuse?

http://www.fahrenheit.com/
This is very bright! Are these colors necessary to communicate the theme of the site?

Web Color Utilities

Visibone: Play with color palettes onscreen
http://www.visibone.com/colorlab/
Poster is available to order. Good for the office!

Test drive text on background colors
http://www.AkamaiDesign.com/tests/colors.html

Test drive background, text and link colors
http://www.stone.com/java/cc/

Color Resources

Web color articles
http://webdesign.about.com/compute/webdesign/msubcolor.htm

Article about color palettes
http://www.wpdfd.com/wpdpal3.htm

Useful, simple color presentation
http://www.creativepro.com/files/story_images/BA0453PerfectColor.pdf
How to find the perfect color -- a downloadable PDF article.

Color blindness check
http://vischeck.com/showme.shtml
Look at the photos that simulate how color blind people see colors.

Lynda, Lynda, Lynda
http://lynda.com/hex.html
The omnipresent goddess of the web.

Recommendations and good color links
http://www.wpdfd.com/resources/Colors.htm

More color links
http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/11-graphics/9-color-terminology.html

Yale Guides
http://webstyleguide.com/wsg3/11-graphics/9-color-terminology.html
All the info on this site is useful

Technical point of view
http://www.ddj.com/documents/s=3217/nam1012432604/index.html