Color Plays

Almost every artist understands aspects of color theory, balance, and values to complete a new composition, yet it is possible to deepen the stimulation of emotions to the viewer deliberately. The experts in marketing and advertising have done extensive research regarding the light spectrum of color. Every occupation that deals in color can benefit from this research. Artists and artisans alike that are knowledgeable in using colors inspire an emotional response by its proper uses.

Most of us recognize red to be a color of passion historically and present in most valentines today. Our eyes automatically go to red captions or signs. Red delivers invigorating energy that can also act to propel a mind to seek solace elsewhere. Red is a bold color in paintings and nature and can be found quite garish. Overuse can repel.

Orange, red's warm sister, is seen as a more fun color representing sunny optimism and the possibility of new adventures in the day. The fascination of the creative with orange can be linked to independence and the surety of desired freedom to engage unapologetically with nature and the fascinated mind.

Who does not love yellow for its positive feedback and the happiness drawn from its viewer? To paint in yellow is to consciously affect the mood of those seeing and encourage leisurely viewing. With the energy of warm colors, yellow is a wake-up color present in nature and modeled in enthusiasm. If one wishes to convey happiness, yellow is the go-to.

Yellow-green is the natural harmonious nurturer found to be therapeutic to the labored soul. Growth, new life, and fertility commonly intertwine using yellow-green to convey such an environment. Rejuvenating is job one of yellow-green, and its use effectively entertains.

Nothing is more encouraging than green. Green is confident enough to stand up to the equal energy of red. It is reliable, stable, and capable of balancing any composition. Green comforts in safety and encourages the possession of its properties. If one wishes to convey relaxation, green is desirable.

Sky blue, like its complement orange, gives joy and boosts self-confidence. Is there any wonder blue is one of the most popular self-stated favorite colors of Americans? Freedom, trustworthiness, and wisdom stated in blue encourage productivity and draw attention to the subject at hand. The use of popular blue expresses overall unity.

Royal blue continues the tradition of loyalty and trust, leading to inner security. The stress of the day lifts while gazing at compositions in royal blue. Using this blue is sure to relax and calm the nerves.

Violet is said to be the most sensual of colors. The mysterious natural state invokes spirituality, sensitivity, and dreamscapes imbuing violet interpretations of intuitive compassion. Use violet to empower and inject mystical wisdom.

Pink, like its big sister red, promotes love. It is the immature, playful, and innocent substance that motivates creativity. It increases the pulse rate of a viewer. If one wishes to communicate energy and keep another grounded, pink is the color to use.

Brown is a sturdy and reliable color that naturally evokes stability. Should one want to root a piece of art honestly and comfortably while not drawing an emotional reaction, brown is the color.

Gray is a partner color that plays well with everyone. Gray invokes the quiet solidity of a mature formal composition. It is both neutral and practical, conveying stability while downplaying the higher energy of warm colors.

Black can both command and intimidate while hiding the true feelings in a composition. Black gives off a fearsome authority associated with mystery and power. Yet black is quiet in its assault on the senses in a rather elegant way. Use black sparingly unless one genuinely wishes a piece to be born of the dark.

Knowing the personality of each color provides a foundation for artists interested in relaying a particular message by capturing a desired emotional response. The artist and the artisan effectively communicate with color surety, which helps to convey with deliberate intent. Interestingly, combining non-traditional colors creates a mysterious and uniquely intriguing composition, perhaps a new topic for another article on breaking the rules in art.

Each color has a unique personality that shares just as any singular entity can. In fact, on point, colors mingle with others nearby, gathering a collective of ideas, feelings, and intent. Playing with the community of color is an intriguing, sometimes infuriating, but always fun game worth playing.