Split complementary
A scheme of one colour plus the two colours either side of its opposite on the wheel.
Also: split complement
A split complementary scheme softens the clash of true opposites. Start with one colour, find its complement, then use the two neighbours of that complement instead. Blue, for example, is paired with yellow-orange and red-orange. The scheme keeps strong contrast but is easier to balance, and it is often suggested to beginners. As with most schemes, it works best when one colour takes the largest area and the other two are used in smaller amounts.