Colour Theory - Lecture Notes

Colour Theory:

Colour is contextual

Colour is arguably infinite

It’s are we see different colours as we are always surrounded by different colours that affect what colour we see. Colour does not exist on its own, it’s always in relation to something else.

Physical -> Physiological -> Psychological

Colour is linked to /fundamentally based on light

Monochromatic light: A signal wavelengths generate

Some wavelengths we can’t see.

Longer wavelengths are red

Shorter wavelengths are violet

Our perception of colour is based on the eye receiving light that has been reflected from a surface of an object. It’s the surface that provides the information as much as the light itself. Colour being contextual takes on the colour around it. Black is not a very reflective colour and absorbs most light.

Key fact:

The eye contains two kinds of receptors –

Rods: Covay shades of black, white and grey

Cones: Allow the brain to perceive colour

3 types of cones

1      Sensitive to red and orange light

2      Sensitive to green light

3      Sensitive white

When a signal cone stimulates the brain it perceives the corresponding colour.

Red, green and blue – only colours we see a proportional adjustment between these colours everyone perceives colour differently.

Complementary – the chromatic opposite of one colour

The relationship between each colour:

Yellow           Purple

Orange         Blue

Red               Green