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Color Theory
Resources:
Excellent site on Color Theory: Color
Theory Interactive - from the Poynter Institute. Good for middle
school and up.
See
WebExhibits.org Causes
of Color (science too) - Science
of Color Vision and Art - Pigments
through the Ages (lots of science). Additional Links for Color
Theory.
Color Symbolism:
Use caution when teaching about color symbolism. Symbolism of colors
vary
from culture to culture. (See note to
students)
Color is considered one of the
most useful and powerful design tools you have. People respond to different
colors in different ways, and these responses take place on
a subconscious, emotional level.
In our American culture, black
has long been associated with death, while white is believed to
signify life and purity. In the Orient, however, white is the
traditional color of mourning. In the United States, black has also
come to suggest sophistication and formality. Americans generally
associate trust an stability with the color blue, while Koreans
have this reaction to pink and other pastel colors.
In the Western Culture:
Purple and gold are often
associated with Royalty, wealth and opulence
Red, White and Blue
reminiscent of the American flag, immediately convey notions of
patriotism and, to some extent, conservatism.
Green has taken on a very
strong connotation as the color representing ecology and concern for
the environment, however, it also conveys meanings associated with
money and the suggestion "to go ahead" which is obviously derived
from traffic lights.
Colors represent holidays and seasons
of the year.
The Fall foliage colors of Red,
orange, yellow, and brown are clearly expressive of Thanksgiving.
Halloween: Orange and Black. Red and Green represent Christmas. Purple
and Yellow and other pastels colors represent Easter.
Blue, Red, White and Grey =
Stability, Power, Trustworthiness, Conservatism
Yellow, Brown, Orange, Green =
Nature, earthiness, warmth
Red, Orange, yellow = more warmth
Blues and Aquas = water and coolness
Primary colors (Red, Blue,
Yellow) = Convey fun
Color symbolism in Zulu
beading.
Young girls learned bead work and the meaning of the symbols and colors
used from their older sisters. The bead work was usually worn as a head
or neck band. Men depended on female relatives to explain the code. The
patterns and colors can also tell what region a woman comes from and
what her social standing is.
Native American Color
Symbolism
Colors in Native American culture often symbolize different things from
culture to culture....African cultures have different meanings....and
so on. Colors symbolize different qualities in various European
cultures.
Native American color symbols--Cherokee
The Four Directions
Colors were associated with the four directions.
Blue represented North which meant cold, defeat and trouble.
White was South representing warmth, peace and happiness.
Red was East, the color of the Sacred Fire, blood, and success.
West was black the color meaning problems and death.
Other colors also had special meanings.
Brown was good but yellow meant trouble and strife.
Navajo Meanings of
Colors
This information was posted to Getty
Teacher Art Exchange by Christine Merriam
The Four
Sacred Mountains and directions are associated with colors. The
Navajos belief is that their Creator placed them on the land between the
following 4 mountains representing the 4 cardinal directions:
White: Mount Blanca (Tsisnaasjini'
- Dawn or White Shell Mountain) Sacred Mountain of the East near Alamosa
in San Luis Valley, Colorado
Blue: Mount Taylor (Tsoodzil - Blue Bead or Turquoise Mountain) Sacred
Mountain of the South north of Laguna, New Mexico
Yellow: San Francisco Peaks (Doko'oosliid - Abalone Shell
Mountain) Sacred Mountain of the West near Flagstaff, Arizona
Black: Mount Hesperus Dibé Nitsaa (Big Mountain Sheep) - Obsidian
Mountain Sacred Mountain of the North La Plata Mountains, Colorado. http://www.lapahie.com/Sacred_Mts.cfm
The principal colors, white, blue,
yellow and black are linked to the four sacred mountains as well as the
directions- Red is often considered a sacred color and represents
sunlight. (source for this is off line now)
White Mountain Apaches
Four
sacred colors of the White Mountain Apaches in east central Arizona
contrast
interestingly with the Cherokee colors:
White represents the north, source of snow
Yellow is east, where the sun comes up
Green is south
Black is west, home of the sun's setting
These colors are used in a variety of settings, from the tribal government
seal to the ribbons on the cane of Changing Woman (the girls' puberty
ceremony).
Medicine
Wheel color symbolism:
EAST- dawn of new day-Yellow-illumination-inspiration-eagle
SOUTH- red or green-passion, heart, warmth-emotions-porcupine
WEST- black-introspection, self examination, reflection-bear
NORTH- wisdom of our elders-white-white buffalo
The Flag of the Flag of the Iowa Nation
The color of the streamers brings together the four primary
colors in Native American art, the black, yellow, red and white. These
colors are said to represent the four races of man and the four prime
directions of the compass. With its use of color and its chosen emblems
the
flag of the Iowas may be the most typical of all Native American
flags.
Information below was from a site I would not go to with students (site
is no longer online) I have omitted all of the pagan color symbolism from this page.
Sources were not documented.
Native American Color Symbolism (varies by ethnic group - this source
was not "authoritative")
Red (Faith): Communication
Yellow (Love): Overcoming challenges through unconditional love
Blue (Intuition): Using intuition to teach and serve
Green (Will): Living willfully
Pink (Creativity): Working
White (Magnetism): Sharing
Purple (Wisdom): Gratitude/healing
Orange (Learning): Kinship
Gray (Honoring): Friendship
Brown (Knowing): Self-discipline
Rose (Seeing): Motivation
Black (Hearing) Harmony; listening
Crystal (Clarity): Wholeness
Asian Color Symbolism
Red: Happiness, marriage, prosperity
Pink Marriage
Yellow: Against evil, for the dead, geomantic blessings
Green: Eternity, family, harmony, health, peace, posterity
Blue: Self-cultivation, wealth
Purple: Wealth
White: Children, helpful people, marriage,
mourning, peace, purity, travel
Gold: Strength, wealth
Gray: Helpful people, travel
Black: Career, evil influences, knowledge, mourning, penance, self-cultivation
Astrological Color Associations (this source was not
"authoritative")
(SIGN--COLOR)
Aries -- White
Taurus -- Yellow
Gemini -- Red or Purple
Cancer -- Bright Green
Leo -- Golden Yellow/Orange
Virgo -- Pale Blue or Violet
Libra -- Violet
Scorpio -- Reddish Brown
Sagittarius -- Orange or Purple
Capricorn -- Brown or Blue
Aquarius -- Dark Blue
Pisces -- White or Purple
Color
in Sacred Art
Color meaning in sacred art
-- various cultures given --
research notes on religious art
by Dr. A.L. Marsland
Color
Therapy - Color and the Brain
Specific colors have different effects
(list copied from Biopulse.org)
Black: self-confidence, power, strength
Blue: calming, lowers blood pressure, decreases respiration
Green: soothing, relaxing mentally as well as physically, helps those suffering from depression, anxiety, nervousness
Violet: suppresses appetite, provides a peaceful environment, good for migraines
Pink: used in diet therapy as an appetite suppressant, relaxes muscles, relieves tension, soothing
Yellow: energizes, relieves depression, improves memory, stimulates appetite
Orange: energizes, stimulates appetite and digestive system
Red: stimulates brain wave activity, increases heart rate, respirations and blood
pressure.....
Additional Links for
Color Symbolism
Color
in Motion Fun interactive site on symbolism of colors. Meet the
characters (colors) - watch the movies and test your knowledge. Masters
research project by Claudia Cortés.
Color Symbolism in Stained Glass The symbolism of color as
established by Dante
Color
Order Systems in Art and Science Color systems and colors for
various cultures.
Isaac Newton’s Theory of Colour,
Goethe’s
and more - a
total of 59 richly illustrated color
theories from the Antiquity to modern times
along with color symbolism in many cultures.
What
Color Means: Color Symbolism and Emotions of Color Explanation of color symbolism (from
About.com)
Color
Symbolism Matching Exercise - Try it just for fun. Now you know that
colors mean different things to different cultures - See if you feel the
same as the author of this quiz.
Orange
Color Symbolism Blue
Color Symbolism Brown
Color Symbolism
Black and White Color Symbolism Red
and Pink Color Symbolism
Yellow
and Gold Color Symbolism Gray
and Silver Color Symbolism
Purple
and Lavender Color Symbolism Green
and Teal Color Symbolism
Color
Meanings - from About .com Desktop Publishing
Color
Symbolism Chart
Has some different cultures listed. From Wired 4
Success Web Design.
Color Matters
- Culture Matters
Interesting page on "green"
Symbolism
and Color
- Chart that matches some of the most popular rose colors
with the sentiments they express. Several different color symbolism
charts for roses can be found on line.
Color
Symbolism Color symbolism given with comparisons to Japanese
culture. Page is written by Michael Thomas for is site on Anime.
Dictionary
of Symbolism - Look up your color word. University of Michigan
Fantasy and Science Fiction. Originally Constructed by Allison Protas.
Psychology
of Color What is color? How does the human eye perceive it? How do
we name a color? What are the physiological and psychological effects of
color? What are the symbolic meanings of various colors in this and
other cultures? This article offers answers
More
on the Psychology of color from
About.com (has pop-up ads)
Color
Symbolism - Ancient Egypt from Ancient
Egypt: The Mythology - site by April McDevitt.
Heraldry
on the Internet This site is designed to help
you conduct heraldry research on the Internet -- many links as to
the various sources of heraldic material available. Symbolism
of Heraldry Teacher recommended site.
Web
Exhibits.org See Causes of Color, Color Vision and Art and Pigments
Color
Symbolism in the Bible Teachers, you will have to decide if this can
be shown to your students. Use your judgment. Also see the additional
links suggested.
On Teaching the Color
Wheel:
From
Marvin Bartel:
For any age that does not already "know" the color wheel - try
a more scientific approach.
- What
if we did NOT show anybody the color wheel?
- What
if we started with only primaries and black and white without saying
that they are primaries and neutrals?
- What
if you ask students to see what they "discover" by
experimentation when we direct them concerning which colors to
combine and which colors and neutrals to combine? This is not
exactly "playing around" but it is "directed
research".
I suppose it is the scientific method being used in art.
What if we ask them to "invent" a chart or something that
helps them remember the combinations and their results?
If
anyone tries this - or has tried this approach -
let me know and I will forward your results to Professor Bartel.
More
on the topic of Color Theory from Marvin Bartel
I find that an easier way for students to understand color theory is to have them do some fairly simple hands-on color mixing activities on paper. I show them nothing (NO COLOR WHEELS AND CHARTS) in advance. That would take away the fun of discovery.
First the art teacher invents and leads warm-up color mixing and/or colored paper activities based on what the students need to discover by doing. These hands-on warm-ups are followed by questions (questions can be oral or on handouts that students can fill out based on what can be observed on the papers that they have just produced) . I notice that students can easily daydream and even fall asleep while watching my wonderful demos, examples, and presentations, but I have yet to see one fall asleep while they are doing hands-on experiments with art materials.
Joseph Albers, the premier color theorist, said, "In the end all education is self-education." (taken from the wall of an Albers Exhibition at the Tate Modern, London, March, 2006).
A Chinese proverb says: Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Have me do it and I understand.
FOR EXAMPLE
Students can be instructed to add some red to some yellow. To make sure that students see what they are intended to discover, I have to ask a series of questions (orally or in writing on a handout) such as:
- By looking at your experiment, what can you say about mixing red and yellow?
- What is the range of different color(s) that can result from mixing red and yellow?
- How much of each color is needed to make a mid-hue combination (best orange)? Why do you suppose more of one color needed? (I want them to discover that less red is needed and I want them to deliberately wonder about it and speculate on the reason for this difference)
- What happens when more or less water is part of each color in the mix? This is to establish that experiments need to control for extraneous variables in order to get reliable (repeatable) results.
- How does a small cutout square of the mixed color appear to change when it is placed on a sheet of black, grey, and white paper? (have them place identical sized identical colors on different backgrounds to learn the effects of different contexts)
- Which results seem to come forward? Attack more? Recede? Run away more?
- Using the painted paper (that now has a hole in the middle after cutting out the color samples) place grey, white and black under the hole to see if some come recede (go back more) or if some come forward (attack) more than others.
NEXT WARM-UP EXAMPLE
Many students wonder how to brown is mixed. Instead of telling them an answer, a warm-up can have them all make brown and then clarify with questions so that they learn what and why it made brown. To make this brown they are asked to make a good medium orange and add a tiny bit of black.
What questions can we ask after this warm up to insure that students have internalized how a brown can be created? Is this brown a shade or tint? Why? Is it warm or cool? Why? Is it intense and saturated or dull and muted (as compared to what)? How do two different browns compare with each other (as they relate to their neighboring colors in a painting)?
Things like color wheels might come later (if anybody still cares), after they have invented ways to chart colors on their own. You might say they are learning to invent the wheel. To learn to experiment and to invent is a big thing. It makes learning the little things so much more fun.
It is interesting to think about other "facts" of art that could be "understood" better if they were discovered and learned rather than taught. What would be the principles of composition if the students invented them? What styles of art could or would students invent? How is our learning different when we construct our own knowledge instead of memorizing something that experts tell us?
(from Getty TeacherArtExchange post February 24, 2007)
Edible Color Wheel
Try
this FUN activity to teach the color wheel. Edible
Color Wheel Lesson by Sandra Hildreth (Sandra was the Getty
ArtsEdNet Charter Member who started this great idea - now Getty Teacher
Art Exchange)
Color
Schemer This is a site for web designing software. This link is not
provided as an advertisement for the software - but rather for the
article/tutorial on color theory.
Got some time to kill
with your students? Try these online Color Tests Color
Schemes: 603010.com
Justin Kramer (Australia) has had great success using this site with his
students to help them understand more pleasing color combinations are
obtained by mixing colors. Let the student explore their own color
profile. (I had to do it twice before the profiler got it right for me
-- smile. It was interesting and fun. I have decided I am a blend two
color schemes). Color
Test - See if
your right brain and left brain are working together. Select the COLOR
of the word not the word. This one is quick - only takes a few seconds
to do. Personality
Color Quiz (based on Research) ColorQuiz
is a free five minute personality test based on decades of research by
color psychologists around the world. There are no complicated questions
to answer, you simply choose colors with a click of the mouse - then
check your results (no email address to enter - results are not saved).
Hmmm....Use at your own risk. I just read through all of my answers
which I had neglected to do at first. Some answers may not be suitable
for children. NOTE
TO STUDENTS: This page is not
"authoritative" - I am not an expert on this topic. This page
was created first for my students to give them an awareness of symbolism
of colors in different cultures. Some of the listings come from Pagan/Witchcraft
sites which would not be acceptable for my students to view from school
(sites would be blocked now by filtering software) - so I copied the lists (without permission). If you are doing research
- look for sources that have been researched and can be verified. My
students came up with their own meaning for colors they used.
~Judy
Decker |
