What Is Simultaneous Contrast in Art?

Simultaneous contrast refers to the way in which two different colors affect each other. The theory is that one color can change how we perceive the tone and hue of another when the two are placed side by side. The actual colors themselves don't change, but we see them as altered.

The Rule of Simultaneous Contrast

French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul developed the rule of simultaneous contrast. It maintains that if two colors are close together in proximity, each will take on the hue of the complement of the adjacent color.

To understand this, we must look at the underlying hues that make up a particular color. Bruce MacEvoy gives an example using a dark red and a light yellow in his essay, "Michel-Eugène Chevreul's 'Principles of Color Harmony and Contrast.'" The visual complement to light yellow is a dark blue-violet, and the complement to the dark red is light blue-green.

When these colors are viewed in their pairs next to each other, the red will appear to have more of a violet hue and the yellow more green. MacEvoy adds, "At the same time, dull or near neutral colors will make saturated colors more intense, though Chevreul was not clear about this effect." 

The most intense simultaneous contrast is with colors that are complementary to begin with, as this is the juxtaposition of color-wheel extremes.

Rules of thumb:

• A dark color put next to a light one makes them both look brighter.
• Dark next to bright makes the bright one look brighter.
• Dark next to light makes the light seem lighter and the dark darker.
• Warmer colors look warmer when placed next to cool ones.
• Cool colors look cooler when placed next to warm ones.
• A bright color next to a muted color makes the muted one look more dull.
• If two colors are of a similar brightness, the less bright they'll both look when placed next to each other.

The Origins of Simultaneous Contrast

Simultaneous contrast was first described by the 19th century by Chevreul in his famous book on color theory, "The Principle of Harmony and Contrast of Colors," published in 1839 (translated into English in 1854).

In the book, Chevreul systematically studied color and color perception, showing how our brains perceive color and value relationships. MacEvoy explained the approach:

"Through observation, experimental manipulation, and basic color demonstrations practiced on his coworkers and customers, Chevreul identified his fundamental "law" of the simultaneous contrast of colors: At times, simultaneous contrast is referred to as simultaneous color contrast or simultaneous color.

Van Gogh's Use of Simultaneous Contrast

Simultaneous contrast is most evident when complementary colors are placed side by side. Think of Van Gogh's use of bright blues and yellow-oranges in the painting "Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles" (1888) or the reds and green in "Night Cafe in Arles" (1888). 

In a letter to his brother Theo, van Gogh described the cafe that he depicted in "Night Cafe in Arles" as “blood red and dull yellow with a green billiard table in the center, four lemon yellow lamps with an orange and green glow. Everywhere there is a clash and contrast of the most disparate reds and greens.” This contrast also reflects the "terrible passions of humanity" the artist observed at the cafe.

Van Gogh uses a simultaneous contrast of complementary colors to convey strong emotions. The colors clash against one another, creating a feeling of uncomfortable intensity.

What This Means for Artists

Most artists understand that color theory plays a very important role in their work. Yet, it's essential to go beyond the color wheel, complementaries, and harmonies. That is where this theory of simultaneous contrast comes in. Remember that colors cast a shadow tinted with their complement, so for a cohesive look to the palette, you'll want to have colors next to each other be in the same range of tint warmth. To make a color look lighter, put a dark color next to it and vice-versa.

Next time you're choosing a palette, think about how adjacent colors affect one another. To test how colors will look together before putting them on canvas, paint a small swatch of each color on separate cards. Move these cards close to and away from one another to see how each color changes. It's a quick way to know if you will like the effect or if something needs additional tinting before putting a color or mix on the work itself.

Edited by Lisa Marder

Sources

MacEvoy, B. "Michel-Eugene Chevreul's 'Principles of Color Harmony and Contrast.'" 2015.

Yale University Art Gallery. "Artist: Vincent van Gogh; Le café de nuit." 2016.