Simultaneous contrast: essence and manifestation

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The color scheme takes an active part in a full life of a person. The colors around us are closely related to our mood and perception. Skillful play with different shades allows you to create masterpiece works of art and exclusive combinations in clothes. In the article we will talk about simultaneous contrast and its influence on different areas of creative activity.

Definition

When combining 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 non-existent hue, which 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 a person.

Before discussing this phenomenon in detail, consider the principles of the interaction of colors and the main types of contrasts.

Order in colors

In our life, everything is natural, therefore outstandingpeople 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 colors.

Colors that cannot be obtained by mixing basic pigments are called achromatic. In Greek, this word means "colorless". Although only white can be rated as such, this group includes black and all visible shades of gray.

Chromatic are the bright colors we perceive and the peculiar shades obtained by combining them. The multifaceted combination of their features made it possible to form an inexhaustible range of colors.

So, the famous artist combined 12 chromatic colors, placing them in a circle. Diametrically to each is his only additional tone.

Indisputable is that red, yellow and blue are the primary 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 primary colors makes it possible to form secondary colors: orange, purple and green. To get orange, you need to bring yellow and red to uniformity. When blue and yellow merge, green comes out, and when blue and red merge, purple.

The tertiary colors are obtained by mixing primary and secondary colors.

The theory of I. Itten is used by many specialists, because it is simple and accessible. To clarify the full picture, let's look at what principlescraftsmen who have to deal with paints work.

Types of contrasts

There are several basic rules used by fashion designers, stylists, makeup artists, designers and other professionals. Contrasts are distinguished in the following contrasts:

• in flowers;
• additional shades;
• simultaneity;
• color shape sizes;
• 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 of colorful harmony.

Matching additional colors

Two pigments that together lose their color features and give a gray tone are considered complementary. Being close to each other, they tend to act arousing.

In the demonstration by I. Itten, the red color is located in the direction of green, blue to orange, yellow to purple. The remaining shades also have their own pair and act as secondary colors. Blue-violet is opposite yellow-orange, red-purple is opposite yellow-green, and red-orange is opposite blue-green.

The diametrical arrangement of these flowers in the classic circle allows the masters to quickly orient themselves. Complementary color combinations look very bright.

Manifestation of simultaneous contrast

Because synchronously occurring colors do not actually exist, they cannot be captured, for example photographed or even sketched. This is because the vibration of a color instantly changes, depending on how long a person looks at an object. Feelings of fluctuations gradually lead away from objective reality and plunge into the desired dimension.

As already mentioned, most often simultaneous contrast occurs when gray shades are combined with chromatic ones. However, this is not always the case. Similar phenomena are also manifested in the synchronous perception of colors that are not considered additional. In this case, both tones lose their originality and acquire other colors. At the same time, they compete with each other, trying to reduce their “rival” to an additional shade.

Simultaneous contrast in clothes is interesting. With it, you can emphasize the color of the eyes or hair. But the opposite result can also be produced. If a woman has very blonde hair, a red blouse can give it a greenish tint.

Let's look at some examples of simultaneous contrast.

If you put a thin sheet of white paper on a vast plane of blue with a black square inside, and then look at it intently, then a barely noticeable orange tint will appear in the end. On an orange background, the square will give off blue. On a turquoise plane, the square will appear red-orange, and on a red-orange plane it will turn turquoise.

Next example. Let's 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 main tones. In order to observe the occurrence of additional tones in each individual case, it is necessary to focus on only one figure. To get a simultaneous contrast, the rest should be closed. The closer the sheet is brought to the eyes, the more expressive the additional shade will appear. The action of synchronicity will intensify as the visual perception continues.

One more example. On a burgundy (red-violet) background we place 3 gray rectangles of different tones. The yellow-green color (additional) is mixed into the first figure, contributing to the synchronous action. The second one has a burgundy admixture, 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 unwanted contrasts and create their appearance when necessary.

Painting

From the words of the art critic N. N. Volkov, it becomes clear that illusions with colors are not caused only by the 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 effortswere aimed at using simultaneous contrast to create more vivid images and evoke positive feelings in the audience.

The artist's work illustrates how the effect of visible rotation can be achieved by playing with paints. This is proof that real works of art are born with the secrets of how different colors interact.

"Simultaneous windows" - a magnificent work of R. Delaunay. A living picture gives rise to a lot of sensations. You can watch the light breeze blowing, slightly swaying the window frame, the curtains barely flying, and the lights of the city flickering.

I would like to mention that the artist owes his work to the work of the French chemist Michel Eugene Chevrel. This work described the technology for dyeing fabrics. These principles are used by modern printing and textile production.

Interior

Designing rooms, designers can use one of the types of contrasts. Sometimes a certain style can be diluted with some element of another. A classic room looks interesting paired with some colorful chairs.

Simultaneous contrast in the interior is very popular. Creating chromatic compositions brings a mysterious charm. The mutual rejection of colors encourages the search for additional ones, and the room seems to come to life.

Clothes

Simultaneous contrast in designer clothes creates an impression of nobility andaristocracy. Ensembles with similar combinations look quite rich.

How do artists use the color wheel to create simultaneous illusions of tones? First, the main color is determined, then the additional one is noted. On both sides of the second are those colors with which you get a chic contrast. One of them is selected for the main color. For example, yellow-green is combined with red or purple.

Examples of simultaneous clothing contrast:

• Light green blouse with purple jeans. The third color should be neutral. It is usually presented in the form of a bag or shoes.
• Burgundy skirt, green blouse, black shoes.
• Red blouse paired with a turquoise gray bag and gray pants.
• Turquoise blouse with red skirt and black shoes.
• Yellow-orange blouse paired with a purple bag, charcoal pants and black shoes.

Using the above rules, it would be wise to order clothes from professionals. This will allow you to pre-select the color you like and match it with the appropriate ones. 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 available spectrum of colors with many non-existent shades. Without them, our life would be boring.