The color scheme takes an active part in the full life of a person. The colors around us are closely related to our mood and perception. Skillful game with various shades allows you to create masterpieces of art and exclusive combinations in clothes. In the article we will talk about simultaneous contrast and its influence on different spheres of creative activity.
Definition
With the combination of achromatic colors with colorful monochromatic shades under certain conditions, the stability of the latter is lost. However, this phenomenon occurs at the level of human perception. Simultaneous contrast is the imagination of a nonexistent hue that is simultaneously generated by eye contact with any color. At this moment, the human brain requires what underlies the harmony of colors. These are complementary colors, and it is they that appear before the eyes of man.
Before discussing this phenomenon in detail, we consider the principles of the interaction of colors and the main types of contrasts.
Color scheme
Everything in our life is natural, therefore, prominent people manage to create their own theories that obey certain rules. Based on existing principles, the Swiss artist Johannes Itten founded the science of the properties of flowers.
Colors that cannot be obtained by mixing basic pigments are called achromatic. In Greek, this word has the meaning of "colorless." Although such an assessment can only be given in white, this group includes black and all visible gray tones.
Chromatic are the bright colors we perceive and the peculiar shades obtained by combining them. The multifaceted combination of their features allowed us to form an inexhaustible range of colors.
So, the famous artist combined 12 chromatic colors, arranging them in a circle. Diametrically to each is his only additional tone.
It is indisputable that red, yellow and blue are the main colors, with the participation of which all the others are formed. By changing the proportions of their pigments, you can achieve a very rich arsenal of all kinds of shades.
Mixing the two main colors makes it possible to form secondary colors: orange, violet and green. To get orange, you need to bring yellow and red to uniformity. When merging blue and yellow, green comes out, and blue and red - purple.
Tertiary colors are obtained by mixing primary and secondary.
The theory of I. Itten is used by many experts, since it is simple and affordable. To clarify the full picture, let's see what principles work for masters who have to deal with paints.
Types of contrasts
There are several basic rules that are used by fashion designers, stylists, makeup artists, designers and other professionals. Contrasts are distinguished in the following contrasts:
- in flowers;
- additional shades;
- concurrency;
- sizes of color forms;
- opposites of dark and light;
- warm and cold tones;
- contrast in the concentration of colors.
To better understand the manifestation of simultaneous contrast, consider the properties of complementary colors, since they serve as the foundation for a colorful harmony.
Matching Additional Colors
Two pigments, which collectively lose their color characteristics and give a gray tone, are considered additional. Being close to each other, as a rule, they act excitingly.
In the demonstration of I. Itten, red is located in the direction of green, blue to orange, yellow to purple. The remaining shades also have their own pair and are secondary colors. Blue-violet is opposite yellow-orange, red-violet is yellow-green, and red-orange is blue-green.
The diametrical arrangement of these colors in a classic circle allows craftsmen to quickly orient themselves. Combinations of additional colors look very bright.
The manifestation of simultaneous contrast
Since there are actually no synchronously occurring colors, they cannot be captured, for example, photographed or even sketched. This is because the color vibration instantly changes, depending on how long a person looks at the object. The sensations of vibrations gradually lead away from objective reality and immerse into the desired dimension.
As already mentioned, most often simultaneous contrast occurs when a combination of gray and chromatic shades. However, this is not always the case. Similar phenomena are manifested in the simultaneous perception of colors, which are not considered additional. In this case, both tones lose their originality and acquire other colors. At the same time, they compete among themselves, trying to reduce their “rival” to an additional shade.
The simultaneous contrast in clothes manifests itself interestingly. With it, you can emphasize the color of the eyes or hair. But you can call the opposite result. If a woman has very fair hair, a red blouse can give them a greenish tint.
Consider some examples of simultaneous contrast.
If you put a thin sheet of white paper on an extensive blue plane with a black square inside, and then stare at it, then in the end a subtle orange tint will appear. On an orange background, the square will render blue. On the turquoise plane, the square will appear red-orange, and on the red-orange, it will become turquoise.
The following example. Take 6 any colors from I. Itten's palette, then in each of them we will place small geometric figures of a calm gray hue, corresponding to the saturation of the basic tones. In order to observe in each individual case the appearance of additional tones, it is necessary to focus on only one picture. To get instant contrast, the rest should be closed. The closer the leaf is brought to the eyes, the more expressive the additional shade will appear. The effect of synchronism will increase with the duration of visual perception.
One more example. On a burgundy (red-violet) background, we place 3 gray rectangles of different tones. The yellow-green color (optional) is mixed into the first figure, which contributes to the synchronous action. In the second, an admixture of burgundy color is added, so it destroys the effect of simultaneity. The neutral rectangle behaves in the same way as described in the previous examples.
Awareness in this direction helps artists avoid undesirable contrasts and create their appearance if necessary.
Painting
From the words of art critic N.N. Volkov, it becomes clear that illusions with flowers are not caused only by physical manifestations of light fluxes. Most likely, they are felt due to the laws embedded in the work of the eye, corresponding to the fullness of the color wheel and natural harmony.
Simultaneous contrast in painting is a fairly common phenomenon. The French artist R. Delaunay was very attracted by the idea of embodying such combinations. His efforts were aimed at creating more lively images with the help of simultaneous contrast and evoking positive feelings among the audience.
The artist’s works illustrate how to use the paint game to achieve the effect of visible rotation. This is proof that true works of art are born with the disclosure of the secrets of the interaction of various colors.
“Simultan windows” is a magnificent work of R. Delaunay. A living picture creates a lot of sensations. You can observe how a light breeze blows, slightly swaying the window frame, the curtains just take off, and the lights of the city flicker.
I would like to mention that the artist owes his work to the work of the French chemist Michel Eugene Chevrel. In this work, technology for dyeing fabrics was described. These principles are used by modern printing and textile production.
Interior
By equipping rooms, designers can use one of the types of contrasts. Sometimes a certain style can be diluted with some element of another. The classic room in combination with several colorful chairs looks interesting.
Simultaneous contrast in the interior is very popular. Creating chromatic compositions brings a mysterious charm. Mutual rejection of flowers encourages you to look for additional ones, and the room seems to come to life.
clothing
The simultaneous contrast in the clothes of designers creates the impression of nobility and aristocracy. Ensembles with similar combinations look rather rich.
How do masters use the color wheel to create simultaneous illusions of tones? First, the primary color is determined, then the additional color is noted. On both sides of the second are those colors with which they get a chic contrast. One of them is selected to the main color. For example, red or violet is combined with yellow-green.
Examples of simultaneous contrast in clothing:
- Light green blouse with purple jeans. The third color should be neutral. Usually it is presented in the form of a bag or shoes.
- Burgundy skirt, green blouse, black shoes.
- A red blouse combined with a turquoise gray bag and gray trousers.
- Turquoise blouse with a red skirt and black shoes.
- A yellow and orange blouse combined with a purple bag, dark gray trousers and black shoes.
Using the above rules, it would be wise to order clothes from professionals. This will allow you to pre-select your favorite color and choose the appropriate one. In such clothes you will look interesting and bright.
Conclusion
Simultaneous contrast is a mysterious and interesting manifestation that makes the world brighter and more fun. It enriches the existing spectrum of colors with many nonexistent shades. Without them, our life would be boring.