Dynamics of colour: the effects of surface finish, shade and shadow
The quality of a surface finish, such as matte or glossy, and its profile together with the incidence of shade and shadow provide yet another dynamic that will help to determine the ultimate perception of its colour.
The finish and articulation of an illuminated surface will also affect our perception of its colour: matte surfaces tend to absorb light; glossy surfaces tend to scatter light. Furthermore, the incidence of shade and shadow on a surface that is not flat will introduce yet another colour-modifying factor. For example, shadows cast from the ribs of cladding are also coloured and can have subtle effect on the overall colour of a plane. This is illustrated if we compare a shadow cast at different times in the day across two differently shaped Goosewing Grey profiles. These photographs were each taken within a 45-minute duration around noon, on a cloudless day in July.
