The von Bezold Spreading Effect

  • When small areas of color are interspersed, an assimilation effect called the von Bezold Spreading Effect (similar to spacial color mixing) is achieved. The opposite effect is observed when large areas of color are placed adjacent to each other, resulting in Color Contrast.
  • Click and drag on the applet to move an array of red squares around the pattern. Use the red squares to cover the blue squares, then the yellow squares. What happens to the color of the red squares? Does it take on the adjacent square's color or its complement?