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COLOUR
1There are many, but Morrisseau, is a good example 2. Warm/ Cool Colours, 3.Uses warm colours on the blankets and skin,
4 Warm colours in background come forward
COLOUR
Colour is the particular hue that is seen when light is reflected off of an object. Of all the visual elements of art, colour has the most immediate impact
on us. Our reaction to it is complex, and has been a subject of considerable
study by psychologists. Some responses to colour seem to be universal: red
is upbeat and exciting, while blue has a calming effect. Other responses are
determined by the culture we live in: black is the colour of mourning in
some societies, white in others. An artist can use these responses for
emotional or symbolic effect.
Colours are often referred to as warm or cool. Reds, oranges, and
yellows are so called warm because they are associated with fire and the
sun, and are reminiscent of warm places, things, and feelings. They appear
next to each other in the spectrum and on the colour wheel. Greens, blues
and violets are also adjacent in the spectrum and on the colour wheel, and
are often associated with cool feelings and temperatures.
The degree of lightness or darkness of a colour is termed its value. Light colours are referred to as high in value, dark colours as low.
Black, white and all the greys in between are distinguished only by value. They
are often called neutrals.
The three secondary colours are obtained by mixing equal amounts of two
primary colours: red and yellow make orange, red and blue make violet,
and blue and yellow make green.
Lets have a look at how colour has been used by artists in the exhibition.
Can you find a painting in the exhibition that
contains all the primaries and secondaries? 1
Often an artist sets a mood with colour. Colour has an effect on our emotions
and reactions to situations, people and of course, to works of art. We are drawn
to warm images, and stand back from cool ones.