Abstract
In this article, we explore the use of colour for the analysis of shapes in digital images. We argue that colour can provide unique information that is not available from shape alone, and that familiarity with the interdisciplinary field of colour science is essential for unlocking the potential of colour. Within this perspective, we offer an illustrated overview of the colour-related aspects of image management and processing, perceptual psychology, and cultural studies, using for exemplary purposes case studies focused on computational palaeography. We also discuss the changing roles of colour in society and the sciences, and provide technical solutions for using digital colour effectively, highlighting the impact of human factors. The article concludes with an annotated bibliography. This work is a primer, and its intended readership are scholars and computer scientists unfamiliar with colour science.