Understanding Color Contrast. It is easy to understand how color can create contrast. For example, complementary colors provide a high level of contrast. Complementary colors are colors that are located directly across from each other on the color wheel.Red and green, blue and orange, and purple and yellow are all examples of this. But when using complementary colors, we also have to consider value.Value is the darkness or lightness of color. Without contrast in value, the contrast created by complementary colors is counter-productive.ut when using complementary colors, we also have to consider value. Value is the darkness or lightness of color. Without contrast in value, the contrast created by complementary colors is counter-productive.