Color Theory: Subtraction of Color

Based from the teachings of Josef Albers, I will demonstrate how to how to make two colors look the same by changing the ground color. Josef Albers called this illusion “Subtraction of Color”.

[@Guest-pr6vb]

I feel like I just ascended. My mind is blown. This is a great explanation thank you!
feel like I’m finally getting the relationships of colour. I find that the digital art explanations don’t hit the same as watching literal paper “change colour” in front of me.

[@dillardparker7546]

I find that a lot of young artists are depending on taking a more "intuitive" approach to selecting their palettes when the foundation already exists to exploring all aspects of color. I greatly appreciate how you distilled this aspect of Josef Albers teachings.

[@carissagracelynnkaur8924]

Thanks! I think this is great. I haven't fallen asleep so easily in forever. XD Just kidding, while this is relaxing I found it simple enough to understand as a total beginner. You have helped me understand this great concept in preparation for my color theory class. Thanks!

[@raonyruiz2418]

I love the video! I'm studying Albers exercises and I had some doubts about how it works. your video helps me a lot. I really would enjoy seeing you doing the others, like the transparency exercise.

[@nuggetmanman5459]

This sure helped me understand the chapter a lot better, but I think my main issue with grasping the contents of the book is, at the end of the day, what’s the point of maybe making so and so colours look the same? Or what’s the point of showing that they look different on certain backgrounds? As a UIUX graphic designer, is this all theory that I’m supposed to be actively using in my work? Something like oh, I’m using a orange illustration on a violet background, Im supposed to be aware of the illustration looking bluer to my audience? If so then how do I compensate for something like that, or how do I use that information in my work

[@daingore]

it's mainly training the eye, same reason why athletes practice shooting hoops. Might even get some new ideas along the way, who knows?

[@0polymer0]

Way late here, but I didn't really understand why we cared about saturation until I worked through this book.
Also the book showed it's probably better to work with hsl rather than rgb.
It defines properties of colors in terms of the relations between all the colors. Later in the text the author explains the mechanisms behind things like edge perception and depth, which are extremely useful for directing the eye.
That said, for UI design this isn't the only, or even the first, book to read. You should look at Edward Tufte's books instead.

[@blackreazor]

It's so you understand the nature and the core of your trade. Artists. Atleast painters and the like. We have to create illusions using color and composition most of the time. You have to capture light and translate it into a plane and create said illusion. So understanding how Color works you will elevate the very thing you do

[@sweetcupcake2741]

i never thought of relaly looking into color

[@brycegier]

when can you use this knowledge in painting or creating images?

[@sharonsaylors2912]

What type of paper are u using?

[@jaimetreadwell3654]

Color Aid Paper