COLOR, FORM, AND DISTANCE

COLOR

The color of an object is determined by the wavelengths of light that object absorbs and reflects.

When you paint an object, you are applying a pigment that selectively absorbs and reflects different wavelengths.

COLOR

Color is an illusion. Your brain tells you that things have color. All color wavelengths are absorbed except those wavelengths that produce that color.

Ex. If you see a wall painted red, all wavelengths are being absorbed, except the red wavelength.

COLOR SPECTRUM

The color spectrum is easily remembered with the acronym ROY-G-BIV from the longest to shortest waves (red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet)

Red-Orange-Yellow-Green-Blue-Indigo-Violet(longest shortest)

WAVELENGTHS

There can be a broader wavelength than red, but we can’t see it

Ex. Radio waves. There can be a thinner wavelength

than violet. But we can’t see that either

Ex. Microwave or ultraviolet waves

TWO THEORIES OF COLOR VISION

Trichromatic Theory: The human eye has three types of cones (red, green and blue) and thus all color perception must be due to mixing of these three colors. Uses red, green and blue in staggered forms.

This is how a TV works (red, green, blue projectors).

TRICHROMATIC TV SCREEN

COLOR VISION

Trichromats- People with normal color vision who can discern all the colors of the visible spectrum- red, green, and blue-violet- as well as colors formed by various combinations of these hues.

Monochromats- People who only see in black and white About 1 in every 40,000 people

Dichromats- People who lack one of the 3 types of cones, making it difficult to distinguish between certain types of colors. People who are colorblind (red-green most common in

men 8%; 1% in women)

TWO THEORIES OF COLOR VISION

Opponent-Process Theory: Colors are paired and are antagonists (red vs. green, blue vs. yellow, white vs. black). If a cone is responding to a red

wavelength, it cannot respond to a green one at the same time.

OPPONENT-PROCESS

OPPONENT-PROCESS

LILAC CHASER

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilac_chaser

COLOR PERSONALITY TEST

http://www.eyetricks.com/illusions.htm

http://www.viewzone.com/luscher2.html