Complementary Colors.
PLATE 31.—This plate is intended to specially illustrate a number of very interesting experiments showing that certain colors are complementary, and also the influence of colors over one another. Before giving an explanation of the experiments referred to, it is probably best to call the reader’s attention to the meaning of the word complementary as applied to colors. When the mixture of any two colors produces white light they are said to be complementary. This is true of prismatic colors, but it is impossible to obtain white by the mixture of complementary colors in printing inks or paints. There is quite a difference of opinion between the best authorities as to what colors are exactly complementary. After many careful experiments we have concluded that the following colors, as represented on Plate 32, are complementary:
- Red and Sea-green.
- Yellow and Violet.
- Blue and Orange.
- Green and Red-purple.
- Purple and Yellow-green.
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