This article reviews recent work on the perception of color in cases where color change leads to scission, or a perceived layering in depth of the visual field into chromatic processes. A model is proposed that predicts under what circumstances a layering in depth is perceived. The model takes into account shift in color and change in contrast; it helps to describe the colors and lightnesses of surfaces seen through a transparent filter or through fog. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.