Color is the most complex

artistic element because of

the combinations and
variations inherent in its
use. Humans respond to
color combinations
differently, and artists
study and use color in part
to give desired direction to
their work.
 Color is fundamental to many forms of art. Its relevance,
use and function in each work depend on the medium of
that work. While some concepts dealing with color are
broadly applicable across media, others are not.
The full spectrum of colors is contained in white light.
Humans perceive colors from the light reflected off
objects. A red object, for example, looks red because it
reflects the red part of the spectrum. It would be a
different color under a different light. Color theory first
appeared in the 17th century when English mathematician
and scientist Sir Isaac Newton discovered that white light
could be divided into a spectrum by passing it through a
prism.
Color wheel
Color Vocabulary
Color - a visual attribute of
things that results from the
light they emit or transmit
or reflect. “a white color is
made up of many different
wavelengths of light”
synonyms: coloring, colour,
colouring. Antonyms:
achromaticity, achromatism,
colorlessness,
colourlessness.
Examples:
•alabaster. a very light white.
•sanguine. a blood-red color.
•apricot. a shade of pink tinged with
yellow.
•aqua. a shade of blue tinged with
green.
•aquamarine. a shade of blue tinged
with green.
•ash grey. a light shade of grey.
•azure. bright blue in color, like a
clear sky.
Color in Art
Color in art includes all aspects like hues,
tones, tints, shades, value, saturation,
temperature, the color wheel, and various
color combinations. Color is one of the
elements of art and all these characteristics
can be applied and utilized in different
methods to create visually appealing artworks.
What is
Color in Art?
There are several key properties of color in art, which we
will look at in more detail below, but before we discuss
color in art, it is important to have a basic understanding
of the art elements, of which color is one.

The Visual Element of Color has the strongest effect on

our emotions. It is the element we use to create the mood
or atmosphere of an artwork
• There are many different approaches to the use of color in art

The color as:

1. light
2. tone
3. pattern
4. form
5. symbol
6. movement
7. harmony
8. contrast
9. mood
WASSILY KANDINSKY (1866-1944)
Autumn Landscape with Boats, 1908 (oil on board)
Color as Light
Light is made up of wavelengths of light, and each wavelength is a particular
colour. The colour we see is a result of which wavelengths are reflected back to
our eyes.
The visible
spectrum

The visible spectrum

showing the
wavelengths of each of
the component colours.
The spectrum ranges
from dark red at 700
nm to violet at 400 nm.
Visible Light
Visible light is the small part within the electromagnetic
spectrum that human eyes are sensitive to and can detect.

White light is actually made of all of the colours of the rainbow

because it contains all wavelengths, and it is described as
polychromatic light. Light from a torch or the Sun is a good
example of this.

Light from a laser is monochromatic, which means it only

produces one colour. (Lasers are extremely dangerous and can
cause permanent eye damage. Extreme care must be taken to
ensure that light from a laser never enters someone’s eyes.)
Color as Light
Color is the sensation that is
stimulated in our brain by different
wavelengths of light. One
wavelength will stimulate our
perception of red, another orange,
another yellow and so on through all
the colors of the spectrum.

The light that we see — visible light — falls somewhere in the middle of this
"electromagnetic spectrum."
 Color as Tone
• Dramatic color combined with a
vigorous painting technique are
the key elements of Expressionism
in art. Expressionist painting was
more about using color and the
physical qualities of a medium to
express your feelings about the
subject rather than simply
describing it in a naturalistic
fashion.
Color as Tone
The tonal quality of color is closely related to its
brightness or darkness, often referred to as
value. Lighter colors, like pastels or pale
shades, tend to convey a sense of brightness,
while darker colors, such as deep blues or
blacks, can create a more somber or
mysterious tone.
 The intensity or saturation of a color
can also affect its tonal quality. Highly
saturated colors, like vibrant reds or
electric blues, often appear more
energetic and intense, while
desaturated or muted colors can
create a softer and more subdued
tone.
Color as Tone
 The combination of colors can also
influence the tone of an artwork or
design. Complementary colors, for
example, can create a sense of
contrast and vibrancy, while
analogous colors can convey
harmony and unity.

Color as Tone
 How colors are used within a
composition, alongside other colors
and elements, can significantly impact
the overall tone. A single color may
have a different tone when used in
isolation compared to its use in a
broader context.

Color as Tone
 Colors are often categorized as warm (e.g., reds, oranges, yellows) or cool (e.g.,
blues, greens, purples). Warm colors tend to evoke feelings of warmth, energy, and
excitement, while cool colors can create a sense of calm, serenity, and distance.

Color as Tone
Color As Pattern
• In Cubism the artist selects the
essential features from multiple
viewpoints of the subject and
reconstructs them as an abstract
composition. At the drawing stage of a
cubist painting, the artist was often
confronted with a confusing structure
of lines and shapes to which he/she
would apply patterns of color, tone
and texture in an attempt to organize
the spatial arrangement of the
composition.
 In the realm of fashion and interior design, color is often used to create patterns in
textiles and fabrics. Repeating blocks or sequences of colors can form stripes,
checks, plaids, and other intricate designs.

Color as Pattern
 Color patterns are commonly used in tiling and mosaic work. Different colored tiles
or pieces of material are arranged in specific patterns to create decorative surfaces
on floors, walls, and ceilings.

Color as Pattern
Color as Pattern

Color patterns are commonly used in tiling and mosaic work. Different colored tiles
or pieces of material are arranged in specific patterns to create decorative surfaces
on floors, walls, and ceilings.
 Flowers and natural elements often inspire patterns. Color is
used to replicate the hues found in nature, creating patterns
that mimic the appearance of flowers, leaves, or landscapes.

Color as Pattern
 In digital art and design, color patterns can be created using pixels, with each pixel
representing a specific color. These patterns are commonly seen in pixel art and
digital illustration.

Color as Pattern
Color as Form
To create the illusion of form in a
painting, artists traditionally added
lighter and darker pigments to the
main color of an object in order to
render the naturalistic effects of light
and shade. The main disadvantage of
this technique was that much of the
intensity of the original color was
sacrificed when it was blended with
highlights and shadows.
 By using lighter and darker shades of a color, artists can suggest the presence of highlights
and shadows on a form. This creates the illusion of depth and volume, making the form
appear three-dimensional.

Color as form
 Chiaroscuro is a technique that relies on
strong contrasts between light and dark
colors to create the illusion of volume
and form. This technique is particularly
evident in works like paintings by the
Old Masters, such as Leonardo da Vinci
and Rembrandt.

Color as form
 Gradual shifts in color, also known as
gradients, can be used to create the
illusion of curved or rounded forms. For
example, a gradient from light to dark blue
can make a circle or sphere appear
spherical.
Color as form
 The use of color can also convey perspective, with
warmer colors (e.g., reds, oranges) often
appearing closer and cooler colors (e.g., blues,
purples) receding into the background. This
technique is known as atmospheric perspective.

Color as form
 Artists can use color to suggest
different textures on the surface of
a form. For instance, warm, earthy
colors might be used to indicate
roughness, while cool, smooth
colors might suggest a reflective or
glassy surface.
Color as form
 In graphic design and
3D modeling, color is
used to add depth and
realism to images and
objects. Shading,
gradients, and lighting
effects are applied to
give the appearance of
three-dimensional
forms.
Color as form
Color as Harmony
Harmony is the compatibility,
balance or progression of
similar elements. 'Blue Dancers'
by Edgar Degas is a carefully
composed pastel painting that
illustrates the harmony of color
as well as several other visual
elements:
 Color harmony refers to the pleasing
arrangement of colors in a way that is visually
appealing and balanced. It is a fundamental
concept in art, design, and aesthetics. Color
harmony can evoke different emotions and
moods, and it plays a significant role in how
people perceive and interact with visual
elements.

Color as harmony
 Color harmony is not just about selecting colors
but also considering their relationships,
proportions, and the context in which they are
used. It's important to take into account the
emotional and psychological impact of colors on
the viewer and how they can be used to convey
a message or set a mood.

Color as harmony
Color as Contrast
Few painters in the history of art
capture the intensity of light and
energy more than Joseph Mallord
William Turner. In his first of two
versions of 'The Burning of the
Houses of Lords and Commons'
(1835), the visual elements of the
painting are fuelled by a collision
of the classical elements of earth,
air, fire and water.
 Color contrast is a powerful tool for
designers and artists to guide the viewer's
attention, establish hierarchy, and convey
meaning. Understanding the principles of
color contrast and how to use them
effectively is essential in creating visually
appealing and communicative
compositions.
Color as contrast
Color as Movement
When you look at an abstract artwork your
brain instinctively searches for signs of
rhythm and order to try to make spatial
sense of the image. Victor Vasarely makes
use of this impulse to create an impression
of movement by combining graduated
squares and sequential colors. These lead
the eye into and through the image with
increasing and decreasing acceleration. The
squares, which graduate from large to
small, are aligned on their horizontal axes
but are staggered on their vertical axes to
create the illusion of a tunnel whose
dizzying perspective unfolds as they travel
towards the vanishing point at its center.
Color as Symbol
The Potato Eaters by Vincent Van Gogh is his
masterpiece from the first period of his work
before he moved to Paris in 1886. It portrays a
poor Dutch peasant family sitting down to share
their frugal evening meal. They are agricultural
labourers and the earthy greens and browns that
Van Gogh uses to paint them symbolize their
closeness to and dependence on the land for
their survival. There is a unity of colour and
texture between the hands and faces of the
peasants and the potatoes and coffee they are
sharing. The dark sombre tones of the work
sympathetically reflect their humble existence
and the artist's respect for the quiet dignity of
their labour.
 Color is often used as a symbol in various
cultural, social, and contextual contexts.
Different colors can carry different meanings
and symbolism, and these associations can
vary widely across cultures and time periods.
Here are some common color symbols and
their interpretations:

Color as Symbol
 • Love and passion
• Danger and warning
• Courage and strength
• Anger and aggression
• Celebration (in some cultures)
Color as Symbol
• Calm and tranquility
• Sadness and melancholy
• Trust and reliability
• Wisdom and intelligence
• Corporate professionalism
 • Nature and growth
• Freshness and renewal
• Health and well-being
• Wealth and prosperity
• Environmental awareness
Color as Symbol
• Happiness and optimism
• Energy and warmth
• Caution and warning (as in
traffic signs)
• Cowardice (in some cultures)
 purple orange
• Royalty and luxury
• Spirituality and mysticism
• Creativity and imagination
• Wealth and extravagance
Color as Symbol
• Energy and enthusiasm
• Warmth and excitement
• Creativity and fun
• Ambition and success
 • Mystery and elegance
• Formality and sophistication
• Mourning and sadness
• Power and authority
Color as Symbol
• Purity and innocence
• Cleanliness and simplicity
• Peace and tranquility
• Sterility and coldness (in
some contexts)
 • Love and romance • Earth and stability
• Femininity and sweetness • Warmth and comfort
• Compassion and caring • Simplicity and reliability
• Playfulness and youthfulness • Natural and organic qualities

It's important to note that the symbolism of colors can vary greatly between
cultures and historical periods. Additionally, personal experiences and
associations can also influence how individuals perceive and interpret colors. In
design, marketing, and communication, understanding the cultural and
psychological connotations of color is crucial to effectively convey messages and
emotions to a specific audience.

Color as Symbol
 Colors have the power to evoke
various emotions and moods due to
their psychological and cultural
associations. Different colors can
influence how people feel and react
to their surroundings.
Color as mood
Color as Mood - Joy

For Van Gogh, yellow was the colour

of joy and friendship. He painted a
series of at least seven sunflower
pictures to decorate the rooms of his
'Yellow House'. These paintings were
conceived as a welcome to his friend
and fellow painter Paul Gauguin with
whom he dreamed of setting up a
‘Studio of the South’ [2] in Arles in the
South of France.
Color as Mood -
Sadness

We often use the language of color to

describe our emotions. We talk of
being 'red' with rage or 'green' with
envy. If we are feeling good we are in
the 'pink' or if we are sad we've got
the 'blues'. When Pablo Picasso
painted 'The Old Guitarist' he was
certainly suffering from the 'blues'. In
fact, the main body of his work
between 1901-04 is now referred to as
his 'Blue Period'.
Color as Mood -
Peace

Gustav Klimt is known for his

paintings of sensual allegories and
society portraits of beautiful
women, all dripping with opulent
ornamentation in a fusion of
figuration and abstraction. He was
always a workaholic and is idea of a
taking a peaceful holiday was to
paint a different subject, in a
different style, in a different place.
Color as Mood - Anxiety
The Scream' by Edvard Munch has entered the public
consciousness as an emblem of anxiety. All its elements combine
to form an image of impending doom, a panic attack in color and
shape. The two main colors of the painting are orange and blue, a
lurid contrast from opposite ends of the spectrum, guaranteed to
form a tense relationship. An anxious state of agoraphobia is
generated by the extended perspective of the bridge and the
haunting waves of sound that echo around the fjord. A stomach
churning glimpse over the edge of the handrail initiates an attack
of vertigo. A deep sense of isolation and helplessness is
experienced by the figure who is holding his head to absorb the
phobic assault from this environment, while his path of escape is
blocked by the spectral figures at one end of the bridge and the
mysterious border that channels the burning color of the sky at
the other.
Color as Mood
- Noise
We began this analysis of
color in art with one Futurist
painting and we end it with
another. 'The Dance of the
Pan-Pan at the Monico' by
Gino Severini was the large
centerpiece to the first
Futurist Exhibition outside
Italy at Galerie Bernheim-
Jeune in Paris.