Semester 1: Colour Studies

Introduction

What is colour?

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Colour, is the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light. In other words, colour is how the human eye perceives an object as it reflects or emits light that is then projected onto the retina of the human eye, and our brain will then define the colour that the object possesses.

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Colour is derived from the spectrum of light. Colour comes from light of different wavelengths or frequencies. The range of colours that are visible to the human eye are found on the electromagnetic spectrum within the visible spectrum range. Light frequencies that are too high or too low for humans to see are ultraviolet and infrared.

History

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Throughout history, colour has been investigated and used for over an approximate of two thousand years.

The earliest times of colour was the record of when ancient Egyptians used colour for cures and ailments. Through worshiping the sun, they learned that without light, there can be no life. Being close with nature and its beauty and what it has to offer, they have copied it in many aspects of their lives, where the floors of their temples were often green, blue colour of the sky a priority to the Egyptians, rooms of different colours and so on.

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Aristotle was found to have discovered some theories about light. He had discovered that by mixing two colours, a third is produced. Yellow and blue pieces of glass were brought together and the colour it produced then, was green.

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Then, Paracelsus reintroduced the knowledge and philosophy of colour. He used the power of the colour rays for healing along with music and herbs. Though, he was ridiculed for his work throughout Europe and most of his manuscripts were burnt.

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Isaac Newton, is a pioneer in the field of colour. He published his first controversial paper on color and in forty years, his work 'Optiks'. Newton passed a beam of sunlight through a prism and the light that was produced was of seven different colours, as with the colours of the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet. Newton named the spreading of rays as dispersion, and he called the varying coloured rays, the spectrum. He also studied the spectrum where he came to find out that when the rays were passed through a prism again, they turn back into white light. Thus, he concluded that white light was made up of seven different coloured rays.

Colour Theory

In visual arts, colour theory is a body of practical guidance to colour mixing and the visual effects of a specific colour combination. Principles of colour theory first appeared in the writings of Leone Battista Alberti and the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. Even so, the tradition of 'colory theory' began in the 18th century, around Isaac Newton's theory of colour and the nature of 'primary colours'. Then on, it developed as an independent artistic tradition.

Colour properties

(a) the Colour Wheel

A colour wheel is a visual representation of colours arranged according to their chromatic relationship.

Step 05: Green, Yellow Green and Blue Green are painted on last.

Primary colours:

A set of colours that can be combined to make a useful range of colours.

Secondary colours:

A set of colours made by mixing two primary colours.

Tertiary colours:

A set of colours made by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour, or two secondary colours.

Colour Harmony

Colour harmony represents a satisfying balance or unity of colours. Combinations of colours that exist in a harmony are pleasing to the eye. The human brain then distinguishes the visual interest and the sense of order created by the harmony and forms a dynamic equilibrium.

(a) Analogous

Analogous harmonies are based on three or more colours that sit side by side on the colour wheel.

(b) Complementary

Complementary colours are those that appear opposite each other on the colour wheel.

A split-complementary colour arrangement results from one colour paired with two colours on either side of the original colour's direct complement creating a scheme containing three colours.

(d) Triad

Triad colours are three colours equally spaced from one another, creating an equilateral triangle on the colour wheel.

(e) Tetrad

Tetrad combinations are made up of four hues equal distance from one another, forming a square or rectangle on the colour wheel.

Examples of harmonious colours in daily life:

Monochromatic and Achromatic Colours

(a) Monochromatic

Monochromatic colours are all the colours (tints, tones, shades) of a single hue. These schemes are derived from a single base hue and extended using its shades, tones and tints, by adding black, grey or white to the base hue.

(i) tints by adding white to base hue.

(ii) tones by adding grey to base hue.

(iii) shades by adding black to base hue.

(b) Achromatic

Achromatic is defined as "without colour", possessing no hue, being or involving black, grey, or white. These colours are said to blend well with any other hue, where black decreases the apparent saturation or brightness of colours paired with it, whilst white shows off all hues to equal effect.

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Colour Temperature

(a) Warm and Cool Colours

Colour temperature is a method of describing the colour characteristics of light, either warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish). It can be measured in the degrees of Kelvin. Warm colours are made with orange, red, yellow, and combinations of them all. They tend to give you a perception of warmth, that is, sunlight and heat. Cool colours, such as blue, green, and light purple have the ability to calm and soothe. They remind us of water and the sky.

(b) Warm and cool characters showing different emotions

Colour Psychology

"Colours, like features, follow the changes of the emotions." - Pablo Picasso

What is colour psychology?

- Colours are able to dramatically affect moods, feelings, and emotions. It is a powerful communication tool and can be used to signal action, influence mood, and cause physiological reactions. Factors such as gender, age, and culture influence how an individual perceives colour.

What are the uses of colour psychology?

- Colour psychology is widely used in marketing and branding. Colour affects the visual appearance of products as well as brand recognition. Recent marketing has also shown that colour can be used to communicate brand personality as different colours bring various meanings and emotions that a particular audience can assign to.

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Colour Therapy

- Colour therapy, also known as chromatherapy, has been around since ancient times. It is used to balance an individual where energy is lacking, whether emotionally, spiritually, physically or mentally. In a scientific aspect, colour therapy aids stimulation of the body's healing process and also to treat diseases.

Colour Meaning and Symbolism

(a) Red

- Red is the colour of energy, passion, action, ambition and determination. It is also the colour of anger, and sexual passion.

- This colour boosts our physical energy, promoting us to faster movements and relates to physical desires in all forms; sexual, appetite, etc. It also shows our passionate beliefs in love or hate.

(b) Yellow

- Yellow is the colour of the mind and intellect. It is an optimistic and cheerful colour. However, it can also suggest impatience, criticism and cowardice.

- It stimulates our mental state, creating enthusiasm for life and can awaken greater confidence and optimism; an integration of new ideas and thoughts.

- This colour represents social communication and optimism. From a negative aspect, it also defines as a pessimism and superficiality.

- Orange stimulates two-way conversation between people and helps them move on in forward and outward thinking.

(d) Green

- Green is the great 'balancer' of our mental, emotional and physical energies. IT is the heart center of the body.

- It indicates growth, and also brings anticipation.

(e) Blue

- This colour represents trust and peace. Blue also suggests loyalty and integrity as well as conservatism and frigidity.

- Blue induces calm and peace within us. It also enhances the wisdom of the intellect.

(f) Purple

- This is the colour of the imagination. It can be creative and individual or immature and impractical.

- Purple inspires us when brainstorming. It is used to stimulate dreaming activity and get in touch with our deeper subconscious thoughts.

(g) White

- White is most complete and pure; the colour of perfection. It also means purity, innocence, wholeness and completion.

- White suggests fairness and neutrality, saving us from the dark; a clean state.

(h) Black

- Black is the colour of the hidden, secretive and unknown which create an air of mystery. It keeps things bottled up inside, hidden from the world

- This colour creates fear and hides feelings.

Colour in Chinese Culture

- Yellow, Red and Green are considered to be lucky colours

(a) Yellow

- symbolizes royalty and power of the throne

(b) Red

- considered the luckiest colour in China

- is widely used during festivals and important events, like wedding

- is the Chinese national colour and represents happiness, beauty, success and good fortune

- Red envelopes stuffed with money are given as gifts during Chinese New Year

- symbolizes money

- buildings, banks and restaurants are often painted in green.

Colour Study Final

The artwork I painted is divided into four sections and coloured differently because each colour has their own meaning, similar to how a person has more than one face. I first chose blue because I have always been told that I am trustworthy, loyal to my friends and intelligent. Red, however gives the meaning of action, which, I am at times when I take the initiative to do things, and push myself further to accomplish the impossible. It also signifies leadership qualities, and strong-will, in which I do possess them both. Yellow is often associated with sunshine and cheerfulness. Although I'm not always cheerful, I am sometimes the moodmaker in the family, arousing a warming effect that strengthens the family bond. Last but not least, I chose orange because orange relates to a strong emotional strength, whereby even in moments of despair, I am able to bounce back from disappointment and sadness with little to no problem. Thence, you have my quad-coloured final art piece.