Introduction
The Science of Colors – Color is the visual interpretation that arises from the interaction between an object and light. It is a sensory response resulting from a physical stimulus.
Table of Contents
Origin Of Research
In 1665 English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton separated white light with a glass prism. Newton determined that white light is a combination of all colours- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
If the sun’s light consisted of but one sort of rays, there would be but one colour in the whole world.
– Sir Isaac Newton CA 1870
i.e. We see colours because sun has all the wavelengths. If the sun was red or yellow we would only see one color in our world.
Sir Issac Newton Is shown showing dispersion of light with a prism.
With a prisim, Newton discovered that different wavelength travels in different speeds in different mediums.
Newton’s Colour Wheel
In 1666 the color wheel was invented by Isaac Newton. He represented/mapped the color spectrum on a circular chart.
Thomas Young’s Color Model
English physicist Thomas Young investigated the blending of colored light in the early 19th century.
Young theorized that the human eye perceives color through three photoreceptors that are only sensitive to specific wavelengths on the visible spectrum.
Visible Spectrum
About 50 years later, German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz suggested that each of the three receptors could only receive short, medium, or long wavelengths.
Rotating this to a circle gives us the infamous “Color Wheel”
The perception of color occurs when we observe reflected light. When a material absorbs light at specific wavelengths (or colors) in the spectrum, those colors won’t be visible in the reflected light observed by an observer. Conversely, if specific color wavelengths are reflected from the material, these are the colors perceived by the observer.
Primary & Secondary Colors
Primary colours
Primary colours are those you can’t create by combining two or more other colours together.
When added together they create pure white light.
Secondary colours
Colours that result from mixing two primary colours. There are three secondary colours. In the
RGB colour wheel, these are
• Cyan ( Blue+Green)
• Magenta ( Blue+Red)
• Yellow ( Red+Green)
Tertiary colours
Colours made by combining a secondary colour with a primary colour. There are six tertiary
colours. In the RGB colour wheel these are
• Chartreuse (Green + Yellow)
• Spring green (Green + Cyan)
• Azure (Blue + Cyan)
• Violet (Blue + Magenta)
• Rose (Red + Magenta)
• Orange (Red + Yellow)
Additive Colour
The additive colours are red, green, and blue, also known as RGB. Additive colour starts with black and adds red, green, and blue light to produce the visible spectrum of colours. Increasing the amount of color leads to a lighter outcome. When all three colours are combined equally, you get white light.
Additive colours are used in cameras and display systems.
This is how images are formed in our screen. Red green and blue image is merged to form a color image. Or additive color image.
Substractive Colours
Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow, abbreviated as CMY, constitute subtractive colors. The subtractive color model starts with white and ends with black.
As you add color, the resulting color becomes darker. Therefore, when C, M, and Y are printed on paper, they absorb light. This implies that your eyes receive no reflected light from the paper, resulting in the perception of black.
Subtractive Colours are use in painting and printing
RGB Cube
RGB Cube is the 3D representation of colors where 3 colors(RGB) correspond to 3 axes(x,y,z). We use the RGB Cube to put colors geometrically. It helps us to measure colors according to the point on which they lie in the cube. There are a total of 256 color points in the cube i.e. 255 color points and 1 black point.
Color Space is a way to represent colors using three-dimensional models.
Colorimetry is the science of the measurement of color, replacing subjective responses of colors with an objective numerical system.
HSL (Hue Saturation Luminance)
Hue
The appearance of a color is similar to the primary colors, red, green, blue, or a combination of them. It’s determined by the dominant wavelength.
Saturation
The intensity or vividness of the color is known as Saturation.
Luminance
The brightness or darkness of a colour is known as Luminance
Munsell colour system
Munsell’s color system is a method of designating colors based on a color arrangement scheme developed by the American art instructor and painter Albert H. Munsell in 1913. It characterizes colors through quantifiable scales of hue, value, and chroma, aligning with dominant wavelength, brightness, and strength or purity, respectively.
HSL vs HSV
HSL (for hue, saturation, lightness) and HSV (for hue, saturation, value) are two alternative cylindrical-coordinate representations of the RGB colour model. They aim to depict perceptual color relationships with greater accuracy than RGB, all the while maintaining computational simplicity.
HSV has black at the bottom, and fully-saturated colours around a circle at the top.
HSL has black at the bottom, white at the top, and the fully-saturated colors around the edge of a horizontal cross-section with middle gray at its center.
CIELAB
CIELAB or CIE L*a*b* is a device-independent, three-dimensional color space designed for precise measurement and comparison of all visible colors through three color values. CIE Stands for “Commission Internationale de l´Eclairage” and L*a*b* stands for the color spaces i.e. – L – luminance axis A- red and green B – blue and yellow.
Color Gamut
The color gamut describes a range of colors within a color space, that can be reproduced on an output device. The quantity of colors displayed on each screen varies depending on the width of the gamut. As an illustration, while the majority of monitors can generate 16.7 million colors, certain monitors can achieve even higher color ranges.
sRGB, Rec.709, and Rec.2020 are some of the common colour gamuts.
The Rec.2020 gamut covers an impressive 75% of the visible light spectrum, but most displays can’t offer full coverage yet.
Colour Temperature
It’s a method to describe the colour of a light source.
Color temperature is a characteristic that defines the color of visible light emitted by comparing it to the color of light radiated by a black body.
A blackbody is a theoretical object that absorbs all the radiation it encounters. It neither reflects any light nor allows any light to pass through.
When you heat up a black body it will emit its own radiation. As the temperature rises the colour of light emitted by a black body change.
The corresponding color of light is measured by Kelvin.
We generally think Orange is a Warm color and Blue is Cool. But on the color temperature scale, the opposite is true. The hotter the temperature, the cooler the light.
Color Temperature Meter
Color temperature meter is a device to measure the color temperature of light.
It quantifies the color of light in Kelvin (K), indicating whether the light source is warm ( low kelvin) or cool( High kelvin).
Shade Tint Tones
Shade
A shade is formed by blending black with a base hue, resulting in the darkening of the color. This creates a deeper, richer colour.
Tint
A tint is produced by incorporating white into a base hue, thereby lightening the color. This can make a color less intense.
Tones
A tone is formed by mixing black and white, or gray, with a base hue.
Tone is when we add grey.
Tint is when we add white.
Shade is when we add black.
Complementary Colors
Complimentary Colors ARE Two colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel. When combined, this pair creates a color scheme with high contrast and impact, making them appear brighter and more prominent together.
Monochromatic Colors
Three variations in shades, tones, and tints derived from a single base color create a subdued and conservative color combination.
Analogous Colors
Three colours that are side by side on the colour wheel
Triadic Colors
Three colors evenly positioned on the color wheel create a color scheme with notable contrast, though not as intense as complementary colors. This versatility makes it a well-balanced choice.
Colour psychology
The exploration of how hues impact human behavior is known as color psychology. The influence of color on individuals may vary based on factors such as age, gender, and culture. Certain colors have specific meanings, or effects on the human brain as related to how we feel and what we think or do at that moment.
The examination of the meanings humans attribute to various colors encompasses both evolutionary and objective perspectives. This involves humanity’s inherent ability to assign significance to elements in our environment, aiding in the survival of life. Additionally, color meanings can also be purely creative and subjective, as individuals assign or accept meanings based on personal feelings or emotions.
Colour is the silent communicator that can express how we feel, without words.
Colours are light’s suffering and joy
Goethe
Colors are the mother tongue of the subconscious.
Carl G. Jung
Use Of Colors for Marketing
Colors are very important in the magic of marketing. In advertising, we use colors to manipulate people’s emotions and behaviors, often disrupting a buyer with influence. For example, Today’s consumers can quickly recognize a brand by its color. Coca-Cola Red, Facebook Blue, and McDonald’s Golden Arches are all global symbols and are universally recognizable.
What is the scientific term for the study of color?
The science of color is called Colorimetry.
What is the purpose of the RGB Cube?
The RGB Cube is a 3D representation used to geometrically place colors, aiding in the measurement of colors according to their position in the cube.
How does the Munsell color system categorize colors, and who developed it?
The Munsell color system categorizes colors based on scales of hue, value, and chroma, and it was developed by American art instructor and painter Albert H. Munsell in 1913.
How does color temperature influence the perception of light, and how is it measured?
Color temperature describes the color of a light source, with hotter temperatures emitting cooler light and vice versa. It is measured in Kelvin (K), where lower Kelvin values represent warmer colors and higher values represent cooler colors.
Conclusion – The Science of Colors
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the science of colors, tracing its origins with Isaac Newton’s groundbreaking work. From the understanding of additive and subtractive colors to the significance of color temperature and various color models like RGB, HSL, and CIELAB, the article covers a wide spectrum of topics. It delves into the practical applications of colors in the form of the RGB Cube, colorimetry, and the Munsell color system.
Additionally, it explores the psychological aspects of colors, highlighting their impact on human behavior and emotions. The inclusion of practical examples, such as the use of colors in marketing, adds a real-world perspective to the scientific discussion. Overall, the article serves as a valuable resource for those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the role and significance of colors in our visual perception and everyday life.
