Study#14: Fishing Boat and Dory

Look, there's Color in those Shadows!

Perhaps you heard your art teacher say "Look! There's color in those shadows", but could you really see what the colors were?

Check it out for yourself. Most of the colors in the scene (left) are dull. However, you may be surprised to see how colorful the shadows really are. Take a look....

1. click "OFF", click "Black", click "2"
...lot's of color in those shadows!

2. click "White" ...now colors look dull.

Here's something to think about...

Don't you find it interesting that the dark, dull colors (at value 2) look rich on the black underlay and dull on the white underlay?

When you are done switching between the "white" and "black" underlays, click "ON" to restore the colors.

As you can see, virtual methods are very simple and effective. This demo simulates the "mask by color pattern" method for values.

Using this method you can quickly determine that even the darkest looking shadows have color them. By instantly removing the surrounding colors by value you can view the remaining colors next to a neutral reference at the same general value range.

When you do that, even the dull colors pop right out revealing their hue.

Now, let's look at the highlights

There is color in the highlights too. This time, look at the lightest part of the ramp in the forground. Looks white... right? OK, now try this...

1. click "OFF" to mask all colors out

2. click "16 grays", then click value "8"

Now move your mouse over to the "White" button, but do not click it yet.

3. Fix your eyes on the lightest part of the ramp, then click "white". See. There's color in the highlights too.

4. click "black", the colors look a little duller

Here are a couple more questions...

Why is it that the highlights look so white when all the colors are "ON"?

and...

Don't you find it interesting that the light, pale colors at value"8" look richer on the white underlay and duller on the black underlay. Why is that so?

The Answer

The reason why those colors and effects look that way is due to an effect called simultaneous contrast.

To those who are not aware of this effect, it's often a stumbling block that could hinder growth for years. On the other hand, those who are aware and understand how it works, will improve their work and use this knowledge as an opportunity for creative expression.

Innovation

The virtual methods technology in Artworks Basic is truely innovative. It is specifically designed to help you quickly become aware of effects like simultaneous contrast and another like it called the after image effect.

Step by step, using virtual methods, you will begin to see color effects as they are, overcome various tricks-of-the-eye, and begin to recognize these color effects in real life.

The virtual methods technology is so simple and intuitive you don't even realize that you are gaining such in-depth knowledge about color for art.

Want to try the real thing with your own photos? Click the button below.

If you want to try another study, click on the small photo below.

STUDY#1986:
It's Richer... not Lighter!