Lasting Impressions – Color Theory
Color. It seems simple enough. Add it to anything and it changes the vibe instantly. Color creates a mood, evokes emotion and puts a visual dialogue in motion. Wait. That sounds more complicated. Can color really do all of that? Now, that’s intimidating.
I must admit, as a designer, I struggle with color. The choice of combinations is overwhelming. You can begin to narrow your choices by using basic color theory – primary, secondary, analogous, complimentary, monochromatic, achromatic…Wow, where to begin, indeed. Isn’t there an easier way? I want something unique. Something that isn’t just the latest trend but a color palette that makes my art sing. Where can I find that inspiration?
Above left to right: Van Gogh's 'Starry Night', Monet's 'Water Garden and the Japanese Footbridge' and Seurat's 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte'
As a long time admirer of the Impressionist art movement, I often look to those artists and their work for color inspiration. I feel that they interpreted nature and their surroundings with amazing compositions of light and emotion. It’s hard for me not to be drawn in to their work and immediately begin to feel the summer breeze on my face or the chill in the air after an early morning rain. It is because of this movement that I will never see a field of grass as just green or brown. I will always see the rich reds in the highlights of a wheat field or the cool blues and purples in a shadow under a tree. Yes. Art is powerful. Color is powerful.
Sunset image by iStock.com. Glass vase by Corey Broman
Like Impressionist artists, the one constant I find most inspiring is near me at all times. Nature. An incredible sunset, a field at harvest time, a dismal, rainy day, a peaceful lake – all exhibit amazing and unique color palettes. Take the time to SEE all the colors. You won’t regret it.
Waterfall image by iStock.com. Devenu Medical Rejuvenation Center by dd|a.
Drawing on nature provides a vast and changing supply of color inspiration that we all use each day – almost without realizing it. So, whether you’re looking for a palette to use on your next piece of art, how to coordinate those pants with a shirt, or what color to paint a room, don’t forget to look around you.
David Day | Associates
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May 19th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I agree all three are a great source for color inspiration, but only Monet was part of the Impressionists. Van Gogh was Post Impressionism and Seurat was considered a Pointilist, more then a Impressionist, due to his painting technique. I only bring this up because cause I don’t want people to be misinformed about the facts, then going on to spread them to other people as fact, when in truth they aren’t. It is sort of like bad Journalism.
And again, I want to say all three schools of art are wonderful places to draw inspiration from for ones work. I do it all the time and I also look at Matisse’s use of color. There’s a lot to be said for looking and learning from others peoples art.
May 19th, 2009 at 8:54 am
All valid points, Michael – but I do have to point out that nowhere in the post does Julie claim Van Gogh and Seurat were Impressionists. It’s more a sin of inference and omission, unfortunately. Thanks for the clarifications!