Colors

Colors are the visual perception that humans and other animals experience as a result of the way different wavelengths of light interact with the eye. The science of color is sometimes called chromatics, colorimetry, or simply color science. It includes the perception of color by the human eye and brain, the origin of color in materials, color theory in art, and the physics of electromagnetic radiation in the visible range (that is, what is commonly referred to simply as light).

Perception of color

The perception of color begins with the absorption of light by the retina in the eye. The retina contains two types of photoreceptors, rods and cones. Rods are not sensitive to color, but cones are. There are three types of cones, each sensitive to a different range of wavelengths of light. The brain combines the information from these different types of cones to give rise to different perceptions of color.

Color theory

Color theory is a field of practical guidance to color mixing and the visual effects of a specific color combination. There are also definitions (or categories) of colors based on the color wheel: primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color. Although color theory principles first appeared in the writings of Leonardo da Vinci and Isaac Newton, a modern understanding of color theory began with the color circle of Thomas Young later developed by Louis Prang.

Color in art

Color has been an important element of art throughout history. Different cultures have different traditions of using color in art, and meanings of colors can vary significantly from one culture to another. In Western art, for example, blue is often associated with the Virgin Mary, while in Chinese art, red is the color of good luck and celebration.

Color in science

In the science of color, a color is often defined by its spectral power distribution, which describes the amount of light that is emitted, reflected, or transmitted by an object at each wavelength. The study of color in science also includes the study of color perception, color psychology, and the use of color in data visualization.

See also

• Color wheel
• Color theory
• Color in art
• Color in science
• Color psychology

Colors Resources
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