Monday, September 21, 2015

How To Use Color Succesfuly

 Colorful Palettes

"Abstract Floral Fantasy Panoramic"  Prints


Choosing colors well can be a challenge. When I first began teaching illustration and design, I noticed that most of my students were either avoiding color altogether or using clashing colors. I thought it would be a great idea to teach a color theory class, but I was afraid that I would never live up to my color theory teacher Judith Crook.  She was one of the top color theorists in the country. Fortunately, I read a great quote from the color theorist Josef Albers which put my mind at ease, "All you have to know to teach, is more than your students." 

I will be blogging about different color pallets and why they work. In the painting "Abstract Floral Fantasy Panoramic" above, I used a brightly colored warm pallet that is very popular currently. It can be challenging to use bright colors as they can clash if not chosen well.




In order to make the colors more cohesive, each color of paint has some yellow and white mixed into it. This gives all of the colors a warm tone, as if sunlight was shinning on them. Instead of clashing, the colors look like they belong together in the same picture.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you visit again for more examples of how to use color successfully.



Recommended books on Color:

The Elements of Color: A Treatise on the Color System of Johannes Itten Based on His Book the Art of Color 


Interaction of Color by Josef Albers

Saturday, September 5, 2015

The Sound of Color

Did You Know Colors Have Sounds!

"The Sound of Color" Prints

Colors have different wavelengths, and they affect the way we see, hear, and feel color. Red has the longest wavelength, making it more aggressive, louder, and warmer. Blue, on the other hand, has the shortest wavelength making it calmer, softer, and cooler.  When colors are arranged with their sounds in mind, a painting can be composed to feel like music. Notice how the red comes forward in the work above to create drama, and how blue recedes backward and has a calmer mood.


http://amy-vangsgard.artistwebsites.com/featured/color-rhythm-amy-vangsgard.html
"Color Rhythm" Prints


To learn more about the sound of color. Check out these fascinating videos.


Can You Hear Colors?! - YouTube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pWXaPoKYHY
Apr 19, 2015 - Uploaded by BuzzFeedBlue
Find out what it's like to hear shapes and read colors and test yourself


Artist Neil Harbisson was born completely color blind, but these days a device attached to his head turns color into audible frequencies. Instead of seeing a world in grayscale, Harbisson can hear a symphony of color — and yes, even listen to faces and paintings.