Bands of colour, spectral and non-spectral colours

About bands of colour, spectral and non-spectral colours
Bands of colour
  • Bands of colour are composed of a continuous range of wavelengths, so for example:
    • A continuous range of wavelengths between 750 – 620 nanometres (nm) typically appear red to an observer.
      Custom
    • Wavelengths between 590 – 570 nm will typically appear yellow.
    • A continuous range of wavelengths between 450 – 380 nm will typically appear violet.
Spectral colours
  • A spectral colour is a colour that is evoked by a single wavelength of light (or narrow band of wavelengths) within the visible spectrum.
  • Spectral colours are the colours red to violet.
  • Diagrams of the spectral colour model are linear and may show colours selected:
    • Using equal and incremental steps in wavelength.
    • According to equal and incremental steps in the appearance of colours.
Non-spectral colours
  • Non-spectral colours are produced by additive mixtures of wavelengths of light.
  • Examples of non-spectral colours produced by two spectral colours are:
    • Purple – produced by mixing wavelengths corresponding with red and violet. Red (740nm) and violet (400nm) are at the extreme limits of the visible spectrum.
    • Magenta –  produced by mixing red (660nm) and blue (490nm).
    • Mauve – produced by mixing orange (600nm) and blue (450nm).
    • Examples of non-spectral colours produced by three spectral colours are:
      • Tints
      • Greys
      • Shades
      • So all achromatic colours are non-spectral colours.
  • Whilst both spectral and non-spectral colours are produced by mixing a combination of colours corresponding with different wavelengths of light:
    • The RGB colour model produces a full gamut of colours by mixing red, green and blue primary colours in different proportions.
    • The CMY colour model produces a full gamut of colours by mixing cyan, magenta and yellow primary colours in different proportions.