The Visible Spectrum: How we see.

The visible spectrum is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. The spectrum doesn't actually contain all of the colours that the human eye/brain can see - variations of pink and purple such as magenta are missing because they can only be made by a mixture of wavelengths.

The spectrum is made up of the colours: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet (I remember it as as Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vein).

The image below shows how white light is dispersed through a glass prism, it then reflects out as the 7 colours.



When white light hits an object we only see it as the colour it is because the other 6 colours of the spectrum are absorbed by the object. For example, a red apple sat on a table - when light hits it, the colours OYGBIV are absorbed by the apple. Red is then reflected to the eye, and this is how we see the apple as being RED.


How colours make us feel:

GREEN: It has been proven that green is a 'calming' colour, it is the easiest for the human eye to see. Green is a colour that symbolizes nature, when you think of green it can be related to leaves and grassy fields or meadows - these are positive images. Green can also be associated with health, tranquility and good luck - linking with a four-leaf clover and the fact that green has been seen as a symbol for fertility throughout history. The colour green is used in decorating to achieve a positive effect on the people that come into the specific environment - for example, guests waiting to appear on a television show may be sent to wait in a 'green room' to relax.

RED: The opposite effect comes from Red, it is supposed to be harsh for the eye to absorb. The colour has many negative connotations, as it can be linked with blood and anger but also love. It is an intense color and it even stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing - it is a colour that will most definatley attract attention. Women that wear red and also red lipstick may be trying to atract men, as this can be seen as a sign of sex appeal that will often get them noticed.

Colour Theory

Colour Theory:

The basic theories behind colours are the different types of colours, and how they are made. The colour wheel below shows each different colour in its own category.

 

 

Primary colours, Red, Blue and Yellow cannot be created by combining any other colours.
Secondary colours are what is created when you combine two Primary colours.
Tertiary colours are a mixture of Primary and Secondary colours.

There are also Complimentary colours, which are colours that should work well together. Although not shown under a category on the colour wheel, these all colours that are opposite eachother. For example: Red and Green or Yellow and Violet.


Tints, Hues and Shades:

Colour is a general term, this includes White and Gray. Black is a technically a lacking of colour.


Hues are the purest and brightest forms of the colours displayed on the wheel. Tints, sometimes known as 'Pastels' are colours with White added, therefore diluting them down and making them a lot more 'easy on the eyes'. 'Pastel' colours are a popular choice that are used for such things as decorating childrens' room's (sometimes referred to as baby pink, baby blue).
Shades are in theory the opposite of what a Tint accomplishes, they are created by adding black to any colour - therefore darkening it and making it appear a lot 'grungier' looking.

Tones are a combination of both Tints and Shades, this is when Black and White are both added to a colour therefore 'greying it down'.