Kelly Green Color – Creating a Kelly Green Color Palette

Are you looking for an attention-grabbing and trending color that is easy to work with, that still provides a natural appeal? Kelly green might be just the right color you are searching for! Let us take a look at why this color is currently so popular, and how you can successfully create an amazing Kelly green color palette.

What Color Is Kelly Green?

Kelly green is a strong, vibrant, and pure green that can be found between yellow and blue when referring to the color wheel. Below is a table, here you will notice the Kelly green hex code, which is there to help you search and identify colors online.

The other color codes provided are mainly for graphic artists and others, who wish to understand the composition of each color. The RGB color code is for web graphics and shows how red, green, and blue you will need to create the Kelly green color. The CMYK color, which uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, is specifically for those who wish to know how much ink or pigment of each color is required to create a color.

Kelly Green Color: A Brief History

The color green has been used since Ancient times, being obtained from minerals and other processes, some being quite toxic until synthetic pigment versions were more commonly produced. The Kelly green color was discovered or named fairly more recently and was first documented as a color name in the early 20th century. The name originates in Ireland, where you will find plenty of green rolling hills and the common Irish family name of Kelly. So, it is only natural that Kell green should emerge as the color name. 

Also, this shade of green is closely associated with St. Patrick’s day, where you will find this color in everything related to this religious and cultural celebration.

Meaning of the Kelly Green Color

All shades of green, including Kelly green are associated with renewal, growth, vitality, youth, and everything natural. This color can also be a representation of health and healing and can provide a sense of relaxation. A pure and fresh color, that is also symbolic of things like greed, money, and ambition. The Kelly green color is bold and can also be associated with no restraint and rebelliousness, but on the other hand, it can also be a representation of independence.

Shades of Kelly Green

You might confuse some shades of green, so it is always a good idea to go and have a look if each color has its own hex code. When comparing different colors that are similar, you will then notice the slight differences between them. Below are some similar colors to Kelly green.

Hunter Green

When it comes to Kelly green vs. hunter green, the differences are discernable. Hunter green is more of a deep yellow-green or dark and desaturated lime green. This is the original color that hunters wore to camouflage themselves in the 19^th century. 

Today, it is more of an olive green for camouflage-type clothing. You can see below the difference between Kelly green vs. hunter green. 

Forest Green

It is easy to identify where this color name originated from and can be described as a dark green. This color is very often used during Christmas time, along with a bright red. So, if you do decide to use forest green, be careful what colors you pair it with to avoid a Christmas look if that is not what you are going for.

Lime Green

The color name comes from the citrus fruit of the same name, which has lime-green skin. This vibrant green can be found between yellow and green when viewing the color wheel. 

Lime green is closely associated with nature and is quite an energetic and fresh color that radiates confidence and creativity. 

Emerald Green

Emerald green, also known as Paris green, gets its name from the green gemstone with the same name. Kelly green is a strong yellow-green and is a brighter and lighter green when compared to emerald green, which is a deeper and clearer green.

What Colors Go With Kelly Green?

The Kelly green color is quite a vivid green, which can easily be paired with other shades of green to tone it down. Neutral colors like white, brown, gray, and black also go with Kelly green. Also, your oranges, yellows, and violets can be used. We have provided some available color combinations examples below. You do not have to stick to these specific colors, you can try various shades of these colors as well. The best way to use Kelly green is to use it in small doses or rather as an accent color and not your main color choice.

If you hope to complete craft projects where you need paint that will work well for any number of surfaces, then craft paint is your go-to! The consistency is smooth, creamy, and easy to use.

Complementary Kelly Green Colors

This is an easy color combination to create if you are looking for contrast. To find a complementary color when using a color wheel, you first choose your main color, and then directly opposite this is your complementary hue. When placed side-by-side, you will notice the contrast. In this case, a strong violet is opposite Kelly green, however, you can also try various shades of violet, purple, and pink.

Analogous Complementary Colors

This color combination is also easy to determine as all the colors involved share similar characteristics. So, analogous colors involve other hues that are nearby to each other. This can include other shades of green and yellow. When paired, yellow and Kelly green can evoke a tropical feel and can produce a welcoming and warm feeling. 

Since Kelly green has a yellow undertone, you might also consider shades of orange. 

Monochromatic Kelly Green Colors

Shades and tints of a single color like Kelly green will produce a monochromatic Kelly green color palette. This color scheme is the most pleasing to the eye and forms a balanced appeal. As you can see, monochromatic colors come in darker and lighter versions of the Kelly green color.

Triadic Kelly Green Colors

This color combination again provides a contrast and consists of three colors that form a triangle-type shape when viewing the color wheel. You can also, again, try various shades of these colors. 

For example, cobalt blue and Kelly green, which is quite a popular fashion and interior design color combination.

Working With the Kelly Green Color

Kelly Green is a vibrant color, so when using it in fashion or any other design project, it is recommended you use it in small doses. However, you can also try out various shades of the different colors. Let us now see how you can mix Kelly green paint and how to use the color in fashion and home design.

Mixing Kelly Green Acrylic Paint

Green is a secondary color and is achieved by mixing blue and yellow. This is a simple way to explain how to create a green color. However, things are a little more complex when it comes to being more precise. Many painters will have a range of different types of blue and yellow paints or primary colors. What this means is that you have the same color as blue, but each blue paint can have a different color bias. So, you need to take into account the color bias or color temperature of the paints you are using. Most blues and greens are considered cool, while most reds, yellows, and oranges are warm colors.

However, it becomes more complex than this as you can also get warm blues or cool reds. This means each color has a different undertone present. Kelly green is a vibrant shade of green that has a yellow undertone, so it can be described as a warm green.

Understanding color bias can also help you prevent mixing muddy colors. If you have a blue with a red bias and you blend it with yellow, you will be bringing together all of the primary colors. When this happens, you can say the colors cancel each other out, and this will then produce a dark muddy brown color. The more red pigment in the mix, the less saturated the green will become.

So, when you have your paint colors and are ready to mix, remember to keep a color chart of your colors to keep a check on proportions. Play around with the different types of yellow and blue to observe what happens. To mix something similar to Kelly green, you can try using cerulean blue, which is a strong greenish blue, with lemon yellow, which is also a cool and bright yellow. You might have to experiment with proportions, and maybe mix in a little white as well to brighten the green more.

Kelly Green in Fashion and Interior Design

The Kelly green color can add a bit of brightness and drama to an outfit, so consider using it in smaller doses. In fashion, celebrities and others have embraced the color, with it coming out in sweaters, blouses, jackets, dresses, and plenty of accessories like shoes and handbags.

The best way to experiment with this color, if you are still not sure about it, is to select a piece in this color and then pair it against more neutral colors like gray, white, black, or other more muted shades of green. For example, a simple Kelly green handbag adds a pop of color to a more neutral style outfit. 

Interior Designs With Kelly Green

Kelly green is a color that could become overwhelming if used too much, however, it is completely up to you how much of it you want to use. The best way to incorporate the color marginally is to bring in accessories like cushions, rugs, curtains, vases, decorative elements, or throws. Art pieces can also add a dash of color to a room.

If you want to be a bit bolder, consider painting an accent wall, a door, or even the ceiling. Make a statement by bringing in couches or chairs in Kelly green that should stand out from a neutral background. In the kitchen, painted cabinets can create a refreshing look against a white background. 

There is a variety of Kelly green paint colors, you can use wall-to-wall. Just remember to pair it with other appropriate colors like white and blue for a bold but calming combination. Have a look at the table to see some examples of the more well-known paint manufacturers. Of course, these are approximate web colors and will be slightly different from the colors you use to paint with.

As we have learned, Kelly green is a bright shade of green that makes a statement in every kind of design. Kelly green is perfect for adding that fresh and vibrant look, that provides a connection to nature and is revitalizing, yet relaxing all at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Color Is Kelly Green?

This particular shade of green can be described as a greenish-yellow or a strong and vibrant green. The Kelly green hex code for this color is #4cbb17. You will see this color everywhere on St. Patrick’s day, which is a popular Irish celebration.

Is Kelly Green a Popular Color?

Kelly green has only recently come into the limelight, and many find it a vibrant, fresh, and appealing color. Many celebrities and other influential people love the eye-catching color, which conveys a sense of health, youth, and independence. Kelly green is also associated with Christmas.

Is Kelly Green a Warm or Cool Color?

Paint colors all have a color bias, meaning that they can either be warm or cool. This applies to warm colors like red and cool colors like blue and green. For example, Kelly green is part of the green family, which is a cool color but it has a yellow bias. Having a yellow bias then makes Kelly green a warm color.

Charlene Lewis( Content Creator and Creativity Writer )

In 2005, Charlene completed her Wellness Diplomas in Therapeutic Aromatherapy and Reflexology from the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for a couple of years, before opening up her own therapy practice. It was in 2015 that a friend, who was a digital marketer, asked her to join her company as a content creator, and this is where she found her excitement for writing.

Since joining the content writing world, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing on a diverse selection of topics, from beauty, health, wellness, travel, and more. Due to various circumstances, she had to close her therapy practice and is now a full-time freelance writer. Being a creative person, she could not pass up the opportunity to contribute to the Art in Context team, where is was in her element, writing about a variety of art and craft topics. Contributing articles for over three years now, her knowledge in this area has grown, and she has gotten to explore her creativity and improve her research and writing skills.

Charlene Lewis has been working for artincontext.org since the relaunch in 2020. She is an experienced writer and mainly focuses on the topics of color theory, painting and drawing.

Learn more about Charlene Lewis and the Art in Context Team.