Color circle of Newton. Organization of color shades.

The color circle of Newton is an abstract illustrative organization of color hues in a circle that shows the relationship between the primary colors, as well as secondary, tertiary and so on.

Color wheel

Some sources use the terms "color wheel" and "color wheel" as interchangeable. Both concepts can be more common in certain areas, for example, the name "color wheel" is used for mechanical rotating devices. There are other related concepts: color disc, color charts and colors. The location is matched to the wavelengths of the light waves.

The first color circle appeared almost simultaneously with the early mystical theories of color. This was reflected in the writings of famous mystics and research physicists of the 17th and 20th centuries. Along with Newton were Goethe, Itten, Munsell, Field and others. Mystical multi-colored circles found their practical application primarily in painting. The color circle of Newton (photo of which is placed in the article) is currently an important basic instrument of caloristics.

Isaac Newton: systematization of the color circle

The arrangement of spectral colors in the circle was conducted by Sir Isaac Newton, according to the calculations of which the resulting color depends on the specific gravity, the location of the barycenter and the interpretation of the radial distance (from the center of the circle to the center of gravity). Thus, Newton's color wheel is the precursor of the modern diagram.

History of color

The psychophysical theory of the color circle goes back to the early color triangle of Thomas Young, whose work was later expanded by James Maxwell and Hermann von Helmholtz. The latter suggested that the eye contains receptors that react to three different primary sensations, called light spectra. As Maxwell showed, all shades, but not all colors, can be created from three main ones - red, green and blue, if they mix in the right proportions.

Color schemes

Logical color combinations are used for a number of media. For example, using a white background with black text is an example of the overall default color scheme in web design. Most often used are two colors that look good together. These schemes are used to create style and attractiveness, and also cause an aesthetic sense of compatibility.

More advanced designs include several colors in combination, usually based around a single color, for example, text with colors such as red, yellow, orange and light blue, placed together on a black background in an article magazine. Schemes can also contain different shades of the same color, ranging from very light (almost white) to very dark.

Newton and color spectrum

Newton's color wheel is a convenient way of adding additives for mixing the properties of colors, the main ones of which are called complementary and are located opposite each other. The order of their placement is directly related to the wavelength of the corresponding spectra. In the late 1660s, Newton began to experiment with the light phenomenon .

At that time it was believed that light is the opposite of darkness. Our modern understanding of light and color begins with Isaac Newton (1642-1726 gg.) And a series of experiments, which he publishes in 1672. He is the first who recognized the rainbow - with the help of a prism he broke the white light, which, in turn, shone with iridescent hues.

Optical contrast

The famous circular arrangement of spectral colors appeared in 1704 in England. The original Newton color circle includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue blue, ultramarine blue, purple blue. The artists were fascinated by the visual demonstration provided by Isaac Newton. The color circle is his most useful idea for painters, which consisted in the conceptual arrangement of colors around the circle. Such a diagram became a model for many color systems of the XVIII-XIX centuries. Many designers have used this discovery to create an attractive palette of various shades.

Classification

The main colors are blue, red and yellow. The corresponding secondary ones are green, orange and purple (or lilac). Tertiary colors, formed from the mixing of primary and secondary, include combinations of: green-yellow, yellow-orange, orange-red, red-violet, purple-blue and blue-green.

One of the modern classifications used by designers implies the following division of colors:

• Light and pastel colors, which visually increase the space.
• Dark and intense colors that create coziness, but at the same time reduce the room.
• Cold shades (blue, green, purple), which are responsible for creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
• Warm tones: they include yellow, red and orange shades. They bring to the interior sunshine and a touch of fun.