How Edges Interact


When you're working with edges, you need to consider the following:

  • What happens when there are numerous edges and transitions of either value or color within your painting?

  • Which edges and transitions will be noticed first?

  • How do you visually control which edges are noticed and which are not?

Edges and Value

Value will most often determine which edge is visually dominant in a composition. Edges with the greatest value differences have the most visual impact, as shown in Figure 10.6. This holds true in almost all cases. A soft edge between widely different values will have more impact than a ragged edge between closer values.


Figure 10.6: Edges of greater value difference are visually more dramatic and eye catching than edges with less contrast.

Similarly painted edges will not always have the same visual impact, as you can see in Figure 10.7, where identical edges are changed only in the value contrasts between them. Those of greater contrast are visually more exciting than those of lesser contrast.


Figure 10.7: Differing visual impact between identically blended edges.

Although the edges in the example are of an identical roughness, the value between the adjacent edges is critical. Quite obviously, the more contrast there is in an edge (no matter what type of edge), the more noticeable that edge will be. While the comparison in this example is extreme, the principle nevertheless holds true.

Edges and Color

Color hue differences will control how much visual impact there is in an edge. Intense complementary colors will give the most visually dominant edges, as shown in Figure 10.8.


Figure 10.8: Two intense complementary hues will give dramatic edges.

Unfortunately, intense complementary hued edges are dramatic as well as tiring to the eye. Hence, you should use them with great care and in small areas. Edges where one of the colors is less intense yet still complementary will still give dramatic edges but with less visual fatigue, as shown in Figure 10.9.


Figure 10.9: An edge formed by intense and muted complementary hues.

The edge formed between two neutralized hues will be the least dramatic of the complementary combinations, as shown in Figure 10.10.


Figure 10.10: Two subdued complementary hues that form an edge are not as dramatic as more intense combinations.

Analogous colored edges will be less noticeable than edges created with complementary colors, as shown in Figure 10.11. This holds true even when both edges are created with intense hues.


Figure 10.11: An edge formed by analogous colors compared to an edge formed by complementary colors.

Analogous colors that have different color temperatures will have more noticeable edges than analogous colors with similar color temperatures , as shown in Figure 10.12.


Figure 10.12: Edge differences between analogous colors of different temperatures.

Color intensity will also affect how we see edges. The edge between two equally intense colors will be very dramatic and visually intense, as shown in Figure 10.13. Such an edge will be visually tiring unless used only in small areas.


Figure 10.13: An edge between two equally intense and bright colors.

The edge between an intense color and a neutral color will not be as dramatic, as shown in Figure 10.14.


Figure 10.14: An edge between an intense and bright color and a more neutral color.

The least dramatic edge is that based on color intensities between neutral and subdued hues, as shown in Figure 10.15.


Figure 10.15: An edge between two very neutral colors.



Digital Character Design and Painting
Digital Character Design and Painting: The Photoshop CS Edition (Graphics Series) (Charles River Media Graphics)
ISBN: 1584503408
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 112

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net