Light and colour

What separates a truly impressive 3D image from a merely adequate one? It can be any number of factors, of course: the modelling, the texture work, the staging, or the sheer imagination of the scene. But unless they have a background in fine art, most 3D artists probably don't spend much time analysing the impact of colour and tonal contrast in their work. Most likely, they're content with intuition and an instinctive 'gut feeling', perhaps almost subconsciously choosing a particular colour scheme because of the mood it creates.

This is great if it works, but is there more to the process than this? Could your images become even better with a more detailed understanding of the underlying principles? We've asked a selection of working 3D artists and other professionals these very questions, and they've provided us with their expert advice on making the most of colour and lighting.

What you won't find here are the basics of colour theory: the structure of colour wheels, or the use of complementary colours. Nor will you see any discussion of technical issues, such as how colour spaces differ between monitors and print. While these topics are essential for any artist, 3D or otherwise, they can easily fill a book, which is why we recommend checking out the titles in the Further Reading list.

In any case, while theories such as complementary colours are widely accepted, there are still many areas upon which experts disagree. The consensus on how colour is perceived and affects the viewer has also evolved, and varies according to whether you take a purely scientific or more artistic view. The advice our experts have to offer is a mixture of the two, derived from their own experience in the field. While personal taste inevitably plays a part, we hope that many of their comments will be readily applicable to your own work.