Optical Red

[Allan Rahbek]

Do anybody know what color the Optical Red is ?

Thanks, Allan.

[Julie Deane]

Hi Allen -

What are you referring to? A color mentioned in a book? A color on a computer screen?

The only thing that comes to mind immediately is an optical mix of magenta and yellow - 100% each, which looks like red when put together, one over the other. This is from my old days as a graphic artist in a printing company: for printing we had to mix our four colors of cyan, yellow, magenta and black to get any desired color.

I don't know if this is what you are looking for.

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Julie.

I know the printing colors, some very strong and clean ones.

But this Optical Red is used for portraits by Adrian Gottlieb who is also a member at SOG. He have a homepage with many interesting informations, besides some excellent portraits.

He explains that he sometimes use the Optical Red. I just wonder if it is some red neon mistake or what.

Allan

[Henry Wienhold]

Hello Allan
I'm not sure , but Adrian Gottlieb may be refering to a final thin transparent glaze of red in order to give flesh color a warm glow and make the figure stand out more. To give the image that outstanding quality that the old masters were able to do so well, but I could be wrong.

[Allan Rahbek]

Henry, this is most likely the explanation.

By glazing with red you will damp down all other colors relatively more than the red, and thereby make it stand out as stronger in tone and lighter. Optical stronger.

I could not understand why he would need any stronger red than the cadmium he use.

Thanks, Allan

[Steven Sweeney]

I have enquired of Adrian about his use of the term and would hope to have his response anon. Patience will likely be rewarded.