Interaction of Color, by Josef Albers
Josef Albers’ classic Interaction of Color is a masterwork in art education. Conceived as a handbook and teaching aid for artists, instructors, and students, this influential book presents Albers’s singular explanation of complex color theory principles.
“In order to use color effectively it is necessary to recognize that color deceives continually.” ~Josef Albers
Color is a complex play of light, perception and context and it is influenced by the colors that surround it. In the book, Interaction of Color, by Josef Albers, he says, “Every perception of color is an illusion, we do not see colors as they really are. In our perception they alter one another.” Our brain does not process colors in isolation, instead it compares a color to its background, which changes its hue, value or saturation. Various optical illusions demonstrate how our perception can change. Identical colors can look different based on their backgrounds.
As you can see in the short video, “One Painting, 16 Colors”, it features one painting from my “Pink” series on different backgrounds. Each background changes the look and feel of the painting. Our perceptions and preferences in color are dynamic and deeply personal. This changeability can encourage artists to embrace discomfort and experimentation with different colors as colors can evoke various emotions and meanings depending on their context. This can encourage you to explore color beyond its surface appearance. Context plays an essential role in how colors are perceived. The same color will appear differently depending on its surroundings. For instance, one color may appear more vibrant against a dark background and less saturated on a light background.