Saturday, June 8, 2013

Color Theory and Emotional Effects



1. Describe Color and its effects on emotions. Use the appropriate vocabulary of color in your posting.

Color so readily depicts emotion, we often don’t even realize it until someone points it out specifically or uses color in a way it isn’t normally used that we truly realize the emotional value the color in a piece of art has on us.  The different hues a color can have will also add to the emotional response of a piece.  A vivid intense red can evoke anger while a softer version of red, such as pink, can evoke kindness.  The color harmony or color scheme of a piece can also lead to an emotional response.  A monochromatic painting, one in which varying hues of the same color are used can lead the viewer to feel a sense of ease and peace, no sharp contrasts, just simple transitions from one hue to another.

2. What is a theoretical aspect of color that most intrigues/fascinates you? Why?

I am most interested in the Optical Effect of Color.  Sunday in the Park with George by Georges Seurat has always fascinated me, and his use of the pointillism technique is almost unbelievable.  To think that such a vividly detailed piece is at its core a series of dots.  The emotions conveyed in this piece are that of relaxation and tranquility, enjoying a beautiful Sunday in the park through the eyes of the artist. 
 

 

3. In the Color video, what made the biggest impact on you in regards to color and its effects on emotions?

I found the process that June Redfern uses in creating her painting had the biggest impact on me.  I have never struggled and used my entire soul to create a work of art the way she does.  I found it completely fascinating.  Her techniques, pouring turpentine right onto the painting for example, seem to be quite risky.  I would be worried I would ruin the entire picture, but she does it with such ease and skill.  The way she leaves the painting and watches it from outside with binoculars was also quite unique.  Her use of color to convey the emotions of Venice is wonderful.  The red tones evoke the passion and vibrancy of Venice while the blue adds to the soothing effects of the water that is the lifeblood of Venice. 

4. In the Feelings video, what made the biggest impact on you in regards to color and its effects on emotions?
The comparison of paintings between Jacques-Louis David and Francisco Goya had the greatest impact on me.  The ways in which they both used color to evoke the complex emotions of revolution were done so beautifully yet disturbing at the same time.  David’s painting The Death of Marat, his use of color to portray Marat as a martyr for the people of France, much the way the Catholic Church has portrayed its own martyrs.  The use of a looming darkness over the top of the canvas lends itself to a foreshadowing of the Revolution.  Goya’s painting Charles IV of Spain and His Family at first glance appears to be a simple depiction of the Spanish Royal family, further look though reveals the true nature with which Goya viewed the Royal family.  They are painted using normal expressions and facial features, none of them embellished to appear better than the rest of society.  Then he created a dark shadowy area at the left side of the painting where he painted himself looking at Royals with an almost sinister or smirk on his face.  As to say, see these monarchs are no better than you or I, they shouldn’t be revered so.

Picture credit to: http://gigasquidsoftware.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Georges_Seurat_-_Un_dimanche_apr%C3%A8s-midi_%C3%A0_l%C3%8Ele_de_la_Grande_Jatte.jpg

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