An Experiment in Virtual Lighting #3

To save me the bother of calculating every time I want to find a complimentary fill light colour, I created a spreadsheet to do the job for me.

My grandly titled "Additive Light Calculator"

The colour tint values are entered as a base for the result of the additive mix. In this case, the chosen colour is white (R:255, G:255, B:255).

Key light values are entered. I chose a deep, warm tan (R:233, G:153. B:52)

These values are subtracted from the required colour tint and the result is the complimentary fill colour. This time, a dark blue (R:22, G:102, B:203)

Using tertiary colours (rather than the primary or secondary) is definitely an improvement. Subjectively, the light appears more natural, more subtle while offering contrast in tone and hue across the form.

This light set up is for demonstrating additive lighting. I suspect that using a purely mathematical approach is not the answer to creative lighting but we'll plow on and see if we can improve...