My brother is an applied mathemetician, doing color analysis and standards for Quadgraphics here in Wisconsin. He is the one who uses and develops the computer programs to define color in the printing industry. Even with all his knowledge of the "science" of color, he is amazed by color in ART. He reduces it to mathematical equations and pages of computer language, yet when standing in front of a painting with incredible blues, deep black, luscious skin tones he says, "How did you do that"!
One of the tests he was required to "pass" before being offered the job consisted of being able to see the hues in color samples. Evidently the vast majority of the human race can only see half of the pigments in a particular color sample. (If anyone is interested I can get the actual statistics).
As artists, we are blessed with the ability to experience as much color as our rods and cones will allow us. I am eternally grateful for the gift of being able to see the differences. I'd like to see this thread continued with examples of the wonderful color in art.
Anyone interested in the finite and microscopic analysis of color can e-mail me and I'll refer them to John, he loves to ponder and is quite verbose.
Jean