Starting point
Function of interest: $$ f(x,y)=-\frac{2 x^5+x y+2 y^7}{x^2+y^2} $$
f[x_, y_] = -((2 x^5 + x y + 2 y^7)/(x^2 + y^2))
ContourPlot:
ContourPlot[(x (-2 x^4 + y) + y (-2 x - 2 y^6))/(x^2 + y^2), {x, -2, 2}, {y, -2, 2}]
The purpose of the plot is to distinguish regions where $f(x,y) > 0$ from regions where $f(x,y) < 0$ using two different colors. Perhaps blue for positive, red for negative. The brightness can be a scale. Very blue is very positive. Near $0$, both colors are extremely faint.
Question: How can we write a ColorFunction
for ContourPlot
which allows a combination of two monochromatic brightness gradients?
The ultimate goal is to produce as aesthetically pleasing chart that quickly lets the user sort positive from negative regions. Unleash your inner aesthete if you have a grander scheme
Didn't see how to get there starting here How can I combine two color schemes for plotting?
@David G. Stork has a great idea, shown below. A dab of polish is needed to get the red colors to appear in negative land and to make the higher values darker, not lighter. (Contour labels added for debugging.)