Color Perception: Two Distinct Approaches in Understanding Hues - Separate Methods for Color Interpretation

In the vibrant world of art, understanding the nature of colour is essential. Two primary systems govern how we perceive and manipulate colour in our creations: subtractive and additive colours.

Dan Scott, an accomplished self-taught artist from Australia, specialising in landscape painting, and his wife, Chontele, run Draw Paint Academy with a mission to help art enthusiasts thrive in their creative journey. Although Dan Scott is not the founder of the academy, as it was originally established by Rainer Becker from Germany, the academy continues to provide valuable insights into the art world.

Subtractive colour is the system by which we see colour in paints. It results from light bouncing off or being absorbed by an object due to pigmentation. In this system, the primary colours are red, blue, and yellow. When these colours are mixed, they produce secondary colours, such as orange, green, and violet.

On the other hand, additive colour refers to how we see colour in light itself. The primary colours of light are red, green, and blue. In this system, colour is created by light itself. When these primary colours are combined, they produce white light.

The dilemma in painting lies in the fact that you cannot use your paints to duplicate the effect of additive colours, which are essentially light sources. This means that artists must rely on their understanding of both systems to create realistic and vibrant artworks.

In the realm of art, you will be dealing with both subtractive colours (reflected light) and additive colours (actual light sources). A colour wheel is a useful tool that illustrates both systems. In the subtractive colour wheel, red, blue, and yellow are the primary colours, while in the additive colour wheel, cyan, magenta, and yellow are the primary colours.

Cyan, magenta, and yellow, along with black, are also used in coloured printing, providing a more complete range of colours and ensuring high-quality, vivid results.

In conclusion, understanding the differences between subtractive and additive colours is crucial for artists to create captivating pieces. The interplay between light and pigmentation forms the basis of our perception of colour, and it is essential to grasp this concept to unlock the full potential of one's artistic abilities. With the guidance of academies like Draw Paint Academy, aspiring artists can learn to navigate this complex yet fascinating aspect of art.