Color exam 2

Animals and Insects

• Similar psychology has been adopted in painting the stalls of racehorses, proving that color psychology is not limited to human reaction. • Although cats and dogs are color blind, insects react emphatically to color. • Mosquitoes avoid orange but approach red, black, and blue (good information for West Nile virus). • Beekeepers wear white to avoid being stung, for they have found that if they wear dark colors, they are besieged. • The knowledge that flies dislike blue has helped the meat-packing industry.

Technical systems

• Technical systems lie in the province of science and industry. They deal principally with light source colors. • We have previously discussed Kelvin temperature and the Color Rendering Index (CRI). These methods assist in determining or describing color related to light. • One organization, involving science-oriented color measurement, is called The International Commission on Illumination.

OTHER COLOR THEORISTS

• There is not enough time to introduce other colorists and color theorists from those centuries. However, following are a few other well-known names. If you wish to search out more information on this topic, search Internet: color theory websites. • DaVinci: observed simultaneous contrast. • Runge: made the first attempt at a three-dimensional model of color • Chevreul: developed a finely-graded 2-dimenstional color circle. His greatest work dealt with optical color mixtures, successive contrast and simultaneous contrast. (Note the different configuration of the color models we have seen in this lecture -- depending on the theorists hypotheses and subsequent studies.)

Color symbolism

As mentioned before, in some cultures certain colors hold symbolic importance due to use in ancient times. Sometimes the symbolism of the color can be traced to its original meaning such as the color red. The bond between the color red, and life, has made it a significant color in every culture on earth. As mentioned before, ancient Egyptians considered themselves the red race. They began the tradition of marking important events or good dreams in red ink. The Christian church later used red to indicate feasts on the ecclesiastical calendar. This practice contributed to the expression "red-letter day" meaning a fortunate event.

Green Trivia

Green was a sacred color to the Egyptians representing the hope and joy of Spring. Green is a sacred color to Moslems. Japanese Emperor Hirohito's birthday is celebrated as "Green Day" because he loved to garden. In Turkey, every mosque has a green door. When someone dies, a green piece of fabric is put on the top of the coffin. Green is the color of their prophet.

USA flag

In the United States flag, white stands for purity and innocence. Red represents valor and hardiness, while blue signifies justice, perseverance, and vigilance. The stars represent the heavens and all the good that people strive for, while the stripes emulate the sun's rays.

Yellow

The Chinese have always regarded yellow as a special color. During the tenth century they adopted it as the imperial color, and its use was reserved for use only by the emperor and those selected through an imperial order. Yellow also has some negative connotations. Buddhist monks dyed their robes in saffron yellow as a constant reminder of mortality; yellow is symbolic of death in that culture. In medieval art, Judas Iscariot was usually portrayed wearing yellow robes, linking the color to betrayal. Some countries passed laws demanding that Jews wear yellow because they betrayed Christ. The Nazis forced Jews to wear yellow armbands. In 16th century Spain, yellow came to be known as a color of heresy and treason. The punishment for wearing yellow was being burnt alive. By 1833 priests were forbidden to wear it.

Color of white

White would be an inappropriate color for a wedding in China. It is the color of mourning. In India, even in Christian weddings, while most brides wear white, it is usually relieved by at least a touch of some other color. If a married woman wears unrelieved white in India, she is inviting widowhood and unhappiness.

Balance

- refers to the relationship of different hues to one another when each is perceived to be equal in perceived visual weight. -used to describe the physical or perceptual state of equality or order of objects within a larger composition

color for sightless people

-"sightless seeing, or dermo-optic vision" -One question under study by photobiologists is whether additional biochemical reactions are happening simultaneously with color vision. Color, like microwave or radio frequency radiation, may also be sensed by a totally separate process, such as directly through the skin. A remarkable study was done on a group of schoolchildren whose school room environment was changed from orange and white to gray and royal blue. The children in the class responded with blood pressure decreases by an average of 17 percent -yet all of the children were blind. -In the early 1960's, Rose Kuleshova lived in a small town in the Ural Mountains (Russia). She was an ordinary girls with nothing exceptional at all about her. A few members of her large family were blind, so she learned to read Braille. Gradually, Rose began to wonder if she could help the blind be more aware of their surroundings. She developed the dream to teach the blind to see color. She began by training her fingers to distinguish between colors - red, green, light blue, orange. Word of Rosa's remarkable ability soon spread. She was tested blindfolded. Rosa could actually differentiate between colors! She was taken to regional and national meetings, then subjected to vigorous controlled experiments in science labs.

Blue Stories

-A recent study by Dr. Larry Berglund and associates at John B. Pierce Foundation Laboratory at Yale was conducted to explore the influence that the color of tight fitting exercise attire has on the rate of weight loss and dehydration of the wearer. Of the five colors and textures tested under solar radiation, the highest weight loss and dehydration came with navy blue was worn. - The competing cyclist would do best in sleek silver polypropelene lycra, by the weekend pedlar battling the budge may want opt opt for baggy navy sweats

Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD)

-As we know, all living things - people, plants, and animals - need light to thrive. For many animals, systems of light are particularly important because their bodily functions are contingent on the synchronicity to nature. Behavioral patterns, such as hibernation and breeding, are dictated by seasonal changes. People's reactions are influenced in a similar fashion. • Light and color are intrinsically intertwined -In his book, Light Medicine of the Future, noted optometrist Jacob Liberman explains how light enters the body through the eyes: "The pineal gland is located deep in the center of the brain between the two hemispheres and behind and above the pituitary gland. Although it is only the size of a pea, its functions are vast. It acts as the body's light meter, receiving lightactivated information from the eyes (by way of the hypothalamus) and then sending out hormonal messages that have a profound effect on the mind and body." -• The powerful hormone melatonin, manufactured by the pineal gland in the yes, regulates the body's daily rhythm and functions. Light, in effect, activates our biological clock. Melatonin is released in response to darkness during the sleep cycle. Without the influence of light on the body, our rhythmic functions would be highly undisciplined. The sun is the master of all these rhythms. • Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) is a depression linked specifically to the lack of light brought on by shorter days. • SAD can cause a need for more sleep, feelings of fatigue, significant weight gain, withdrawal, and lack of sex drive. -To break the depression, experiments have proven that properly timed exposure to light affects people's mood, performance and the hours when they sleep and wake. • According to a 1990's article in the New York Times Good Health magazine, $15.5 million was spent on light therapy experiments in the United States by the National Institute of Mental Health. • Light therapy can be successful in treating SAD that may afflict as many as six percent of the people in northern areas of the United States during the winter.

Guatemala

-Different states within the country of Guatemala use their own unique color schemes and pattern combinations to represent their towns -coloring agents are extracted from mineral and vegetable substances. then they are ground in mortars and used to dye the cotton fiber prior to weaving -black: coal -yellow: iron hydroxide or blackberry tree -red: nut seed -blue:clay -other colors: wild tomatoes

Infants and color

-First response to shapes of black and white -the second color they respond to is red (will retain this preference until they are 5 years old)

Greek inspired balance

-Greeks illustrated beauty and balance in human body and art sculptures

Red Japan

-Kohaku: vitality and purity. the combination of red and white in japan symbolizes happiness and celebration -red reminds us of blood coursing in our veins. white has long been regarded as the color of the gods; pure and unsullied- a type of sacred glory -the opposite-black and white- signifies morning and cheerless occasions

Green Japan

-Midori: eternal life -green can be found in the evergreens that never lose their color -Japanese culture is fused with nature -just as the greens that surround us are varied so are the varieties of life and spirit which dwell within each of us

White

-No physiological change is experienced when around white -does nothing to body or mind -drains energy- if completely surrounded by white walls the energy is taken from the people in the space -makes decision making very difficult -solemnity, purity, chastity, femininity, humility, joy, light, innocence, fidelity, cowardice.

Intensity contrast

-Purity of hue, or chroma, results when a color is not influenced by other colors. once gray is added, the intensity or brightness of the color begins to decrease

5 types of rhythm

-Repetition -Alternation -Progression -Continuation -Radiation

Maya

-The use of color is symbolic for the people of central america and used on their homes, places of worship, and dwellings built for the dead -color was their second language, a visual vocabulary embedding creed and custom in its hues -they prefer to see color in death just as in life. the color red denies death and in fact endures as a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings

Blue/Red

-Turkish people believe that those with blue eyes have powers that can harm others. Therefore, blue eyes, made of glass or stones, are placed somewhere on their bodies or clothing. In Romania, at Easter time, the eggs are dyed red to symbolize the blood of Jesus. These red eggs carry protective powers to guard against evil and offer good health. Legends about the red eggs: When Jesus was on the cross, Mary came to see him bringing a basket with eggs. She placed them at Jesus' feet where they were drenched with blood. In Romania, on March 1st every year, they wear bracelets that are made out of two strands of thread (white and red) to invite a healthy life for that year.

Types of color balance

-Value contrast (light/dark) -Hue balance (complements) -Intensity contrast (bright/dull) -size of color area (large/small)

Blue

-calming "cardiac blue" used in hospitals -it secretes 11 tranquilizing hormones which calm the body. it lowers blood pressure as well -also skews time- can make you feel like youve been somewhere longer than you actually are. -slows brain waves and gives the person time to focus on details -healing color for nervous disorders and good for reliving headaches, bleeding, open wounds and so on -Suppresses appetite (M&Ms concerned about making a blue candy) -dignity, sadness, tenderness, truth.

Orange

-can improve social behavior -can decrease hostility and irritability sun, fruitfulness, harvest, thoughtfulness.

Hue balance

-complementary colors are directly opposite each other on a color wheel. They create very strong contrast and an asymmetrical balance of light/bright

Violet

-defined by its qualities of spirituality -stress reducer can create feeling of inner calm -can shift behavior -lowers blood pressure, depresses appetite and sex drive -it quiets overactive glands and organs (insomnia) -the brighter the purple the more it enhances creativity, daydreaming and escape -encourages lateral thinking - a concept that applies in one context can relate to another context wisdom, victory, pomp, wealth, humility, tragedy.

India

-females use their heads to carry vessels of water from a nearby well -The two orange palm impressions beside the entrance indicate the birth of two sons in the family -the unrestrained use of color is a prevalent theme in the exterior decoration of houses -the elephant is considered sacred and a symbol of royalty. Carvings are usually found on the column capitols, oriental brackets, and keystones

Japan

-inspiration is found in elegant gardens with a pond filled with variegated carp. orange contrasts with green vegetation -A geisha girl is covered with symbolic colors, makeup and fabric of her traditional dress -crisp, clean laboraroty white tiles and contrasting color scheme is typical in japan

Red

-men see this color sooner than female infants -male infants gaze longer at yellow based reds -females gaze longer at blue based reds -pale colors are not of interest to children -red induces activity in children -good color for athletes -happiness, lust, intimacy, love, restlessness, agitation, royalty, rage, sin, and blood.

Green

-physiologically is can offer balance and rejuvenation -people who favor the color green tend to be more moderate and normalcy -opposite of red- thought of as a healer of blood -inspires compassion and feeling empathy -however can be associated with envy and jealousy -in an environment can make people feel tended and secure -security, peace, jealousy, hate, aggressiveness, calm.

Brown

-related to being encompassed and dullness -related to sturdy, shrewd, and reliability -melancholy, protection, autumn, decay, humility, atonement.

Black

-related to mourning -related to power, intimidation, dignified, aloof, and worldly -darkness, power, mastery, protection, decay, mystery, wisdom, death, atonement.

Progression

-repetition of similar elements with a continuous change -large to small; low to high; narrow to wide; light to dark

Alternation

-repetition of two distinctly different elements -yellow to blue -round to square

Pink

-secretion of adrenaline; a natural stress reliever and muscle relaxer -calming -Clinical psychologist, Alexander Schauss, director of the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma, Washington, spearheaded the now widespread use of bubblegum-pink rooms to calm delinquents and criminals in correctional facilities across the country. -A U.S. Navy brig in Seattle took notice of Schauss' work and permitted him to test his calming-color hypothesis on its inmates. Now hundreds of institutions place individuals in pink rooms when tempers flare. -"We used to give them drugs, even use handcuffs," says Paul Boccumini, director of clinical services at California's San Bernadino County Probation Department. "But this works."

Color systems fall into three groups

-technical systems -commercial sample systems -intellectual/philosophical systems

Red medical

-when red fills your field of vision the pituitary gland goes to work -it sends a chemical signal to the adrenal medulla and epinephrine is released -blood pressure increases, pulse rate increases, rapid breathing, increases muscle tension and muscle strength -people eat more, eat longer and will pay ore for their food around red -red is the first color you lose vision for at twilight -cannot be seen at great distance- blue or yellow is better -distorts your perception of time

Balance in interiors

-without balance, elements get lost and there is a lack of cohesion in the final design project -Interiors, at a minimum should attempt to contain a three-value scheme for depth and visual interest

Yellow

-your eyes focus on this color the fastest -increase hostility and irritability -can sharpen your memory and stimulate circulation -psychologocally denoted as cheerful and happiness -used less as people mature -babies cry more in yellow rooms -superficial glamour, sun, light, wisdom, royalty (China), age (Greece),prostitution (Italy, famine (Egypt).

Six elements of color harmony

1. "The harmony of scale in which closely related values of a single hue are exhibited together" 2. "The harmony of hues in which analogous colors of similar value are exhibited" 3. "The harmony of a dominant colored light in which an assortment of different hues and values is pervaded as if by a dominant tinted light." 4. "The harmony of contrast of scale in which strongly different values of a single hue are combined." 5. "The harmony of contrast of hues in which related colors are exhibited in strongly different values (and strongly different degrees of purity or chroma)." 6. "The harmony of contrast colors...colors belonging to scales very far asunder" - Colors that are far apart on the color whee

COLOR AND SCALE

A room with a dark ceiling and light floor will appear top heavy and out of balance; darker values should be placedmtoward the bottom of an interior. Dark, strong, or warm colors (orange or red) will make the wall seem to advance and make the room feel smaller.

Blue Japan

Ai: color of vast ocean surrounding the japanese islands -color blue or indigo that symbolizes the sea that is an important supply of food. the sea is a maternal source. this blue represents the ancestry through the sea... means of how their ancestors came to their island long ago

color research affecting behavior

At an art exhibit, the researchers wanted to test people's response to color behind art paintings. They used light beige color walls in one area and dark walls in another. Then they installed an electrical system in the floor to monitor movement. People walked faster, covered more area and stayed less while viewing art against dark walls. Conclusion: a change in wall color can change behavior.

LE MODULOR

Charles Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, more commonly known as Le Corbusier, was a Swissborn architect -He developed Le Modulor in 1948 A combination of the golden ratio and da Vinci's Vitruvian man

Size of color area

Color interaction: you must consider the weight of the color that is changing, as well as the hue itself and the background color

Five recognized elements

Earth = yellow • Fire = red • Water = black • Wood = green • Metal = white

Evolution of the symbolism of Green in Western Culture

In Celtic myths the "Green man" was the God of fertility. Later in the millennium, Early Christians banned green because it had been used in pagan ceremonies. Nevertheless, the color green was the best choice for the bride's gown because of its early symbolism. During the time of Henry VIII, green in England had come to stand for unfaithfulness, a concept derived from grass stains on a virgin's clothing (ie. Greensleeves). -Of note is the continued symbolism attached to green in the latter part of this century. Anyone who chooses a green M & M is sending a somewhat similar message. Green has been reinterpreted by late 20th century American culture to signify a state of heightened sexuality.

Colored light is healing

In an article titled "The Guiding Light" from Psychology Today, science writer Hal Hellman states, "Researchers are becoming convinced that all aspects of our health, mental as well as physical, are affected by the density, duration and even color of the light to which we are exposed. • Dr. Richard Wurtman, a nutritionist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology stated in the New York Times that "It seems clear that light is the most important environmental input, after food, in controlling bodily functions." Many studies have shown that various colors of light can affect brain activity, biorhythms, pulse and respiration rates. Colored lights are now used in the treatment of a variety of diseases. • Premature infants with jaundice are treated under blue lights. This blue light treatment has replaced blood transfusions for premature babies. The blue light penetrates the skin, destroying the excess bilirubin that the immature liver cannot remove. The babies stay under the lights for two to three days, by which time the liver has matured enough to cope with the bilirubin. • Ultraviolet lights are used to clean the air of operating rooms, and in the Soviet Union, coal miners are placed under ultraviolet light to prevent black lung disease. • Black light is used to treat psoriasis. • Lack of sunlight causes rickets and other diseases of the bones.

Gold Japan

Kin: Golden waves, prosperous harvest -symbolizes harvested, waving fields of ripened rice stalks that translates into hard gold currency -Statues of Buddha, gold and shining on the temples -royal personages have always worn the shining glory of god on their backs

Value contrast

Munsell value scale: pure black 1, pure gray 5, pure white 9 -value contrast can also result from comparing colors that share the same area or overlap within a visual field -color should be organized within the interior to draw a logical color order to the visual field

Color balance

Spatial context varies depending on: -size of the space -lighting -interaction with other colors, textures and the physical orientation of the architectural space

Black Japan

Sumi: mystery and night -Black = night when mystery rules the world -expresses those depths of the unckown. It indicates solemnity and at the same can be found in every phase of the daily life- even seaweed (nori) -used for their calligraphy, drawings and paintings

football story

The famed Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne had the locker rooms for his own team painted red and those of the visiting teams painted blue. • When halftime came, the visitors instinctively relaxed in their soothing quarters, while the home team remained keyed up and ready for a winning second half.

commercial sample systems

There are dozens of currently available commercial color systems, like Pantone products or Color-aid papers, that have been devised specifically for artists and designers. • These systems offer consistency in colors. For example, Pantone Colors are a standard of the printing and graphic arts industries. Samples have a high degree of consistency that is important for communicating specific colors. For example, it is possible to call from New York to Tokyo to ask for a design printed in a specified color, and get the expected result. That is very reassuring when you work with clients.

Anomaly

an irregular deviation or departure from where one considers to be normal

subtractive color

applied to paint, dyes, colorants, and inks, where blue red and yellow are identified as the primary colors -the combination of subtractive primaries will result in the secondary colors of violet, green and orange

Bio-inspired

color and design creates a personal connection, familiarity, and relevance to an object or space that may not have existed otherwise -Baha'l temple in new delhi giant lotus flower

Radiation

concentric color arrangment to unify design elements and create visual movement

Rhythm

is the repetition or sequencing of similar elements in the environment creating a pattern -helps to: communicate the activity for a particular space- assist wayfinding in a space or place- add priority or focus to parts of a space

discord

loosely organized, dasharmonized combination that departs from the natural ordering of color

Leonardo Pisano

more commonly know as Fibonacci, was an Italian mathematician who lived during the Renaissance.

Caribbean

most of the colors used originate from wildlife and the surrounding vegetation -archways are prominently used for passageways rather than doors

Diffraction

occurs when light is partially obstructed by an object

Reflection

occurs when light strikes an object and in the case of seeing color the light reflected back from an object results in the color that we see

Contrast

opposition in order to show or emphasize differences between two objects. Contrasting colors create more stimulation results -dark color on a light background will appear lighter that it really is. -low contrast should be used to limit anxiety or tension -high contrast should be used in areas where safety is concerned

Achromatic

palette that provides a simple background as the subdominant feature, so the emphasized object remains the focal point.

Metamerism

phenomenon of color changing in appearance in different lighting conditions

Continuation

placement of one or more colors to create a continuous movement of the eye through the space

indirect color

results from adjoining or opposite wall surfaces or objects reflecting their color

direct color

results from viewing a color on a particular surgace

Refraction

results when on more more light rays move through a light medium to another, denser medium such as air to water or a prism causing light to bend

Anthropometrics

study of the average human body dimensions and measurements.

Visible spectrum

the colored light that we can see

Additive color

the primary-light colors red, green, and blue mixed -when 3 are mixed together white light is the result -absence of all colored light is black

unity

the repetition of color to acheive a unified whole

Harmony

the result of a perfect balance between individual color relationships

Repetition

the systematic, orderly succession of identical design elements along a defined path -staircases incorporate two rhythmic concepts of progression and repetition; color strengthens the concept

warm and cool colors

warm stimulates cool relaxes

intellectual/philosophical systems

• A fascination with color has never been limited to artists. The great intellectual interest in color happened in the late 17th century and 18th century during the Enlightenment period. • Most of those who first studied and wrote on color in this period were not artists. Poets poised at the edge of the sciences; they sought a rational basis for the nature of beauty itself and, as a corollary, color. • In this way the "behavior" of colors could be explained and predicted - a solving of mysteries so to speak. • Two themes dominated 18th and 19th century color study - the search for a perfect color-order system and the search for laws of harmony in color combinations. • Color writings, or treaties, written from late 18th century through 20th century make up the collective body of knowledge called "Color Theory."

WILHELM OSTWALD

• Almost simultaneously with Munsell, German Chemist, Wilhelm Ostwald (1853-1932), a Nobel prizewinner, brought forward a conceptual color solid originally hypothesized by others to fullblown theory in Color Science. He also wrote The Color Primer with an eight-hue spectrum. It was a powerful influence on artist in the Bauhaus movement. • Ostwald did not study color until late in life. At age 29, Ostwald was appointed professor of physical chemistry at the University of Leipzig. He wrote highly important works on chemistry. In 1909 he was awarded the Nobel prize for chemistry. At age 53 he retired from his brilliant scientific career to devote himself to natural philosophy and to color. His first work on color ran into 15 editions and brought him instantaneous fame. • The Ostwald System is developed from 8 principle hues which produced a "color atlas": • Yellow • Orange • Red • Purple • Blue • Turquoise • Sea-green • Leaf-green • These eight hues are arranged in a color circle and subdivided into a 24 hue circle of further expansion. • All other colors are obtained by mixing hues with white, black, or gray. • Mixtures of white, black and a full color result in Ostwald's equation: white + black + hue = 1 • Colors relating to each hue form triangles. • White forms the upper pole of the model. • Black forms the lower pole of the model. • 24 pure hues circle the equator • Ostwald then gave each saturated hue a notation with percentages of: - (c)color - (w)white - (b)black • Tints and shades occurred depending on the amount of black or white. The closer you go to the center of the model, the more "toning" occurs. • Ostwald's theories of color harmony state that any colors that have the same hue, white content, and black content will be harmonious, regardless of value differences. • So...in Munsell's system, he grayed hues by mixing them with their complement. While in Ostwald's system, he mixed hues with black and white

Color theory

• Color theory is the study and practice of a set of principles used to understand the relationships among colors • Interior designers use color theory to understand the interface involving the way people respond to color

Color for sightless people

• Experiments were conducted to determine the difference between the colors - by feel. • Light blue seemed the smoothest • Yellow was very slippery. • Red, green, and dark blue felt sticky. Green is stickier than red, but not as coarse. Navy blue was the stickiest but harder. • Violet seemed to slow the hands when touched. • Considering that each color is really a representation of a different energy wavelength, it is not far-fetched to think that sensors in the skin are able to detect the difference.

ALBERT MUNSELL

• In A Grammar of Colors (1921), Albert Munsell (1858-1918) devised an ingenious color tree with infinite room for expansion. Colors are organized by hue, value, and chroma (saturation). Each color is assigned a place on an alphanumeric (letter and number) scale. • Munsell was born in Boston and was a painter by occupation until he began teaching. As an aid to teaching at the Normal Art School in Boston, he created his famous "Color Tree." • Albert H. Munsell can be considered the founding father of modern color order. • His color sphere, developed at the end of the 19th century and improved by other scientists, is today one of the most widely used systems of color. • The Munsell System is visually uniform because adjacent samples represent equal intervals for visual perception. • The Munsell System is still used in many American and British schools today. • Like Goethe, he associated color choices with moral character. • The Munsell System is used for the specification of colors • To specify a color of paint without using a brand name • To specify a color in research • To accurately communicate surface color • Munsell colors are identified in terms of three attributes: hue, value (lightness), and chroma (saturation). • Hue is Munsell's 1st Dimension of Color. Chosen so the colors appear equally spaced, Munsell uses five principal (red, yellow, green, blue & purple) hues and five intermediary hues. Arrangedclockwise on the color wheel by name they are red, yellow-red, yellow, green-yellow, green, blue-green, blue, purple-blue, purple and red-purple. Each named hue is subdivided further into four sections 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10. The middle most hue = 5 (5R, 5Y, 5G, 5B, 5P). • Value (2nd dimension of color): Hues located on the vertical axis of the Munsell Tree. • Hues near the top are very light - near the bottom they are very dark • Top = 10 vs. Bottom = 0 • Value tells us how light or dark a color is. A "9" notation would mean that 90% of the light is reflected back to your eye • Chroma (3rd dimension of color): Hues located near the center core are weaker/ duller in chroma (intensity). • Hues located further from the core are stronger / purer in chroma.

NEWTON & GOETHE

• In the 18th century, two people dominated the study of color - Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) and Johann von Wolfgang Goethe (1749-1832). • Newton was the first to split sunlight into its now known wavelengths by passing it through a prism. (Like many discoveries, it happened accidentally. He had been trying to do some tests on telescopes when a light ray hit the edge and split into different colors.) • Newton hypothesized the nature of light and the origins of perceived color. Newton's conclusion that light alone generates color remains a basis of modern physics. • Newton identified seven basic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. He took each end of the visible spectrum and brought them together to form his circular color wheel. • Likewise, Goethe was fascinated with color. He was familiar with Newton's theories of color, but was strongly opposed to them. "To Goethe's poetic mind, Newton's explanation of color/light was as about as accurate and exciting as describing a flower as a collection of uniformly gray subatomic particles." Goethe felt that light should not be broken down, as Newton did, but should be considered in totality. Goethe also advocated that colors light produced should be studied in their natural habitat. Therefore, he used the natural environment to study color. • Goethe spent a great deal of energy trying to prove that Newton was wrong, publishing additional writings on color theory. • Associations of color and beauty with morality were also a part of Goethe's treaties (e.g. Color Theory). There were sinful colors and chaste ones. He associated moral character not only with choice of colors in clothing, but with skin color as well. • Goethe's observations involved complementary colors, the phenomena of simultaneous contrast and afterimage. He recognized that no pure color exists except in theory and characterized the principal contrast of color as polarity (contrast or opposition) and gradation (intervals). His most enduring contribution to color study was his circular six-hue spectrum of perceived color which we know as the artists' spectrum. He hypothesized rules of order, symmetry, and balance for harmonious combinations of color. • Goethe's six-hue spectrum remains the convention for artists; Newton's seven-hue model of the full range of visible hues remains the scientist's physical spectrum. • The battle over Newton's and Goethe's color theories was a major schism in the history of ideas. It wasn't necessary. Both theories are valid, but each describes a different reality. • Newton was looking at causes • Goethe was looking at effects.