ACCIDENTAL COLOURS Meaning and
Definition
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Accidental colours, also known as complementary colours or simultaneous colours, refer to a phenomenon in visual perception where the perception of one color is affected or altered by the presence of another color. It occurs when two colors, which are not complementary in nature, are viewed simultaneously, resulting in the perception of additional hues or shifts in the original colors.
When certain colors are placed next to each other, the human visual system tends to enhance or exaggerate the differences between them, leading to the perception of new hues or tones that are not actually present in the original colors. These additional colors, known as accidental or complementary colors, are perceived as if they were intentionally placed there.
For instance, if a red object is viewed alongside a green object, the perception of the red color may be enhanced or influenced by the presence of green, causing the viewer to perceive a shift in the red object's hue towards a more reddish orange. Similarly, if a blue object is placed near a yellow object, the blue may appear to have a slight tinge of violet.
Understanding the concept of accidental colors is fundamental in various fields, including art, design, and color theory. Artists and designers often utilize these principles to create optical illusions or to harmonize color combinations by strategically placing complementary colors to enhance or manipulate the perception of pigments. By recognizing and utilizing accidental colors, professionals can achieve more visually striking or appealing compositions.
Etymology of ACCIDENTAL COLOURS
The term "Accidental colours" derives from a combination of Latin and English words.
The word "accidental" originates from the Latin word "accidentalis", which means "occurring by chance or happening unexpectedly". In the field of optics, accidental colours refer to the colors perceived when light encounters certain interference patterns, which are not inherent to the object or light source but happen accidentally due to diffraction and interference.
The term "colours" comes from the Old French term "colur", which ultimately stems from the Latin word "color". "Color" refers to the visual perception of different wavelengths of light, resulting in various hues.
By combining these words, "accidental colours" came to designate the colors produced by light interference that are incidental or unintended.
