Green Color Combinations in Kehinde Wiley's Paintings

Green is very common background color in Wiley's paintings. He frequently uses a bright yellow green with yellow and yellow orange accents in the background patterns. These three adjacent colors on the color wheel form an analogous color scheme.

His backgrounds are often floral patterns and he uses the below analogous combination that is frequently found in nature.

Analogous colors are usually calming. It is how he adds the complimentary colors that gives his signature bravura look. The subject might be wearing red against the green background. If the subject is wearing bright green there will be more blues purples and reds in the background.  

He uses variations of reds such as ochres, siennas, and umbers for the skin tones. There is no black skin like in a Kerry James Marshall painting. These colors are on the opposite side of the color wheel from the background colors. The figure often appears as if it pops from the background. Using backlighting intensifies this effect.

The Obama Presidential Portrait is where he stepped away from his wild contrasts.

The few purple and red flowers are small and widely spaced. The flowers were selected for their meaning in Obama's life. Purple African lily for his father's African heritage, white jasmine for his Hawaiian birthplace, multicolored chrysanthemum for the city of Chicago, and rose buds for love. 

Many had their doubts as to whether Kehinde Wiley could make a dignified Presidential Portrait. Most Republicans still do.