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org

Color
Symbolism
Now that we have reviewed the color
wheel and understand how to create a
gradient using one color, let’s explore the
meaning behind these colors..
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Colors can create

a visual language
that evokes
different
emotions
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Being intentional
with color

The psychology of color investigates how color can impact our

minds and in turn create an emotional reaction or make a visual
connection.
Shooting Range Target
Depending on the emotion that the artist wants the viewer to feel, Mixed media artwork by Nneka Jones with the use

this can be achieved by using a particular color in a portrait of warm colors with variations of reds to symbolize
danger.
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• Warm Colors • Cool Colors

Reds, Oranges and Yellows are often associated with warm colors and can evoke Greens, Blues and Purples are often associated with cool colors and can evoke
emotions ranging from anger, fear, shock, hostility and even danger. emotions ranging from peace, happiness, hopefulness, serenity and optimism.

Reds are often seen in many of my pieces where I want to communicate a sense of Pastel blues and greens are sometimes seen in the background of my pieces of my
danger and need for urgency, particularly when dealing with activist artwork. pieces where I want to communicate a sense of hopefulness and optimism for
change.
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Warm Colors
• Use of red to create a sense of danger • Use of variations of red and yellow • Combination of red and yellow
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Cool Colors

• Use of pastel blue in • Use of green in the background to

background to create a symbolize newness and
sense of optimism and appreciation for natural beauty
peace
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The Positive versus

The Negative
While we have gained more of an understanding about the
traditional meanings behind warm and cool colors, this does
not restrict a color to the meaning or emotion it can convey.

In contemporary art today, we see many artists exploring the

positive and negatives of color symbolism and how colors can
be used to communicate different emotions.

Even the same color can symbolize opposite emotions.

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Positive and Negative Contrast

• Use of purple to communicate a • This image evokes a feeling of

need for change and contrast sadness but the blue in the
with yellow, grabbing the background is used to contrast
viewer’s attention that with a sense of hope
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Remember with color symbolism:

✔ Colors can be used to evoke different emotions

Let’s do ✔ One color can be both positive and negative

a quick emotions

review! ✔ Combining colors to create a contrast adds depth