Guy Corbishley/Alamy
Jill Colman
Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK
Speaking from the perspective of an artist (with an interest in the sciences), I am aware that much has been written about colour theory, from both viewpoints. As artists who mix pigment, we consider red, blue and yellow to be our primaries from which we develop all other hues and tints. Complementary colours, for us, are red/green (mixing blue and yellow), blue/orange (red and yellow) and yellow/purple (red and blue). Then, tertiary colours can be made from those secondary mixes.
“ It seems there are psychological and physiological reactions in our brains, when both creating and viewing a piece of art “
Historically, artists have employed complementary/contrasting colours to create a strong visual impact or reaction. Powerful emotions and moods are induced, such as excitement, tension, passion or fear.
Recent neurological research on our response to complementary colours shows that both emotional and cognitive responses are engaged. It seems that there are psychological and physiological reactions in our brains when both creating and viewing a piece of art.
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