There are many different shades and hues of the color yellow. The variety arises from the different combinations of wavelengths of light that are perceived as yellow by the human eye. By examining the color spectrum and the science behind yellow pigments, we can identify the main types of yellow colors.
The Visible Spectrum of Light
The colors we see result from different wavelengths of visible light. The visible spectrum of light that humans can see ranges from violet at around 380 nanometers to red at around 740 nanometers. The wavelength of light determines its perceived color. Yellow wavelengths span the range between green and orange light.
| Color | Wavelength range |
|---|---|
| Violet | 380-450 nm |
| Blue | 450-495 nm |
| Green | 495-570 nm |
| Yellow | 570-590 nm |
| Orange | 590-620 nm |
| Red | 620-740 nm |
Light with wavelengths of 570 to 590 nanometers is perceived as yellow by the human eye. However, there are many shades of yellow corresponding to the different specific wavelengths in this range.
Primary and Secondary Colors
In color theory, primary colors are those that cannot be created by mixing other colors. The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. Mixing two primary colors creates the secondary colors of orange, green, and purple.
This means yellow is a primary color and cannot be created by mixing other colors. However, shades of yellow can be made by mixing yellow with other colors. For example, mixing yellow and red makes orange shades, while mixing yellow and white makes lighter tints of yellow.
Color Temperature
Another way to classify yellow shades is by color temperature. This refers to the relative warmth or coolness of a color. Yellow with more orange or red content appears warmer. Yellow with more blue or green content appears cooler.
For example, a lemon yellow color with a hint of green appears cooler than a golden yellow with orange tones. Color temperature is useful for interior designers and artists when selecting shades of yellow to evoke desired moods.
Tint, Tone, and Shade
Adding white or black to a color produces tints, tones, and shades:
- Tint – adding white to a color to lighten it
- Tone – adding gray to a color to mute it
- Shade – adding black to a color to darken it
Yellow has a broad range of possible tints, tones, and shades. A yellow tint could be a pale, buttercream color. A yellow tone may have subtle grayish qualities. And a yellow shade might appear as a deeper goldenrod or amber.
Hue, Saturation, and Brightness
Yellow hue refers to the yellow coloration along the color spectrum. Saturation refers to the intensity of the color saturation. Brightness relates to the lightness or luminance.
By altering these three properties of color, a wide gamut of yellows can be produced. For example, a saturated lemon yellow will look much different than a pale, desaturated beige-yellow. Similarly, lightening the brightness shifts a golden yellow to a pale cream.
Natural Pigments
Many natural pigments appear yellow due to their chemical composition absorbing certain wavelengths of light. Common yellow pigments include:
- Ochre – clay containing hydrated iron oxide
- Gamboge – tree resin
- Saffron – spice from crocus flowers
- Curcumin – compound in turmeric
- Lutein – compound found in plants
The specific mineral and plant content of these natural yellow pigments influences their exact shades. For example, ochre yellow ranges from light yellow to deep orange depending on iron oxide content.
Synthetic Organic Pigments
Modern synthetic organic chemistry has enabled the creation of many new yellow pigments. Some examples include:
- Hansa Yellow – arylide yellows
- Benzidine Yellow – benzidine-based
- Nickel Azo Yellow – nickel azo complexes
These synthetic pigments provide bright, consistent shades not easily produced from natural sources. Their development expanded the range of durable yellow colors available to artists and manufacturers.
Food Colors
The FDA approves artificial food dyes that provide yellow hues for processed foods. Common ones include Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.
| Food dye | Chemical composition |
|---|---|
| Yellow 5 | Tartrazine |
| Yellow 6 | Sunset Yellow |
While convenient for coloring foods, these dyes are synthesized from petroleum and some may cause allergic reactions. Their use in food remains controversial.
Textile Dyes
Fibers and fabrics can be dyed shades of yellow using specific chemical dyes. These textile dyes have excellent colorfastness and retention over repeated washing and exposure to sunlight. Common yellow dyes for fabrics include:
- Acid Yellow – arylamide class
- Basic Yellow – triarylmethane class
- Direct Yellow – azo dyes
- Vat Yellow – anthraquinone class
The chemical structures of these dyes provide bonding affinity to different textile fibers to produce durable yellow shades on fabrics.
Paint Pigments
Paints traditionally used natural ochres and earth pigments to achieve yellow hues. Modern acrylic and oil paints use more advanced organic and inorganic pigments for brighter, longer-lasting yellows. Some key yellow pigments in paints include:
- Cadmium Yellow – cadmium sulfide/selenide
- Arylide Yellow – monoazo/disazo pigments
- Hansa Yellow – synthetic organic pigments
- Nickel Titanate – inorganic complex
Painters can blend these pure yellow pigments with other paint colors to craft many bespoke yellow shades and tones on their palettes.
Digital Color Models
Modern digital imaging represents color using red, green, and blue light. By mixing differing intensities of these three primary colors, many shades of yellow can be reproduced on displays and digital printouts.
Some common digital color models that define yellow color codes include:
- RGB – mixes red and green light
- CMYK – key color in subtractive model
- Pantone – proprietary spot color model
- HTML – web colors defined by hex codes
These digital standards allow precise specification of yellow hues for consistent color reproduction across different mediums and devices.
Psychology of Yellow
Yellow is the most visible color to the human eye. It grabs attention and stands out strongly against darker backgrounds.
Lighter yellows evoke cheerfulness, freshness, and positivity. However, too much yellow can cause eye fatigue. Darker yellows suggest caution and warning, hence its use on traffic signs. Muted yellows promote feelings of warmth and comfort.
Understanding these psychological impacts of different shades of yellow helps designers choose appropriate hues for their needs.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a wide range of yellow colors spanning the visible light spectrum and color models. The specific shade results from the pigment or light wavelengths producing it and impact of properties like brightness and saturation. By manipulating these variables, an endless variety of yellow tones can be created for different aesthetic and practical purposes. The context and use case also influence the perceived psychological effects of any given yellow color.
