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What would our world look like without Color. There have been many studies into the psychological effects of Color. Artists have used Color in such ways as to create a mood or feeling of a piece of work. This is done by using colors realistically and by using colors "creatively". Color is also a very important Element Of Art. Here we will take a look at the science of Color, how we have organized Color and how artists have used Color to express their ideas and feeling in their artwork.
Let's Learn About Color
Printable Color Study Guide (PDF)

MerryGoRound

Look at this wonderful painting. What strikes you at first glance? Chances are you notice the colors used first. Why do you think this is so?

The artist's use of complementary colors, or colors opposite on the color wheel, creates an exciting painting. The colors appear very intense together.

Has the artist done this intentionally? What does he want you to "feel" about the message within this work?

Notice how the horses and clouds are expressed in whites, violets and blues. The people and the carousel are reds, golds and oranges. What parts of this painting do you notice first?

Monument



Notice the color scheme in this painting.
Do you recall which color family the artist
used?

This is a monochromatic color painting
which means the artist used one true
color and added black and white to create
tints and shades of that color.

How does a monochromatic color scheme affect the overall "mood" of this piece?
Let's compare these two paintings, MerryGoRound and Monument. Which of the two appears to
radiate more energy? Why? How do the different colors convey a message?

Look at this seemingly abstract painting. How does the artist use color in this painting? What is the artist trying to show?

If you look at this painting closely, it appears to show movement or vibration. The shapes are repeated using different tints and shades of the aqua color. Each shape is echoed numerous times. Klee uses black and white to emphasize the spaces between the shapes as well as the shapes themselves.

This painting appears to be abstract at first...but look very closely and see if you can make out recognizable shapes of objects you might see in and around a city.

You can see some architectural structures, trees, mountains, the sun or moon, and roof lines.

By using a subdued, monochromatic color scheme, you, the viewer, are more likely to notice the individual objects and feel that the city is "pulsing" with life.


Paul Klee (Swiss)1879-1940, Dream City, 1921
watercolor on paper, 48 x 31 cm Private collection

Piet Mondrian (French) 1872-1944. Broadway Boogie-Woogie, 1942-1943. Oil on canvas, 50 x 50 in., The Museum of Modern Art, New York

This is a painting created by Piet Mondrian. Did he selectively use one particular family of colors?
Absolutely. This piece is a good example of the Primary Colors used in a work of art.
If you look at the Credit Line you will see the title and the size of this work. The title "Broadway Boogie-Woogie" should tell you something about this work? Do you know where Broadway is? It is a very famous street in New York City where all the theaters are concentrated. Are you familiar with the term "boogie-woogie"?

Try this online experience! Way cool!
Click Here


Limbourgh Brothers (German) 1370s/80s-1416. May, Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Barry,1412-1416, illuminated manuscript, tempera and gold leaf on vellum, Musée Condé, France		 During the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, every member of the middle and upper classes would have had to own an illuminated Book of Hours. These books were treasured and were given as gifts on special occasions, such as weddings. A Book of Hours was often the first and only book an individual owned. In the most luxurious books, made for the wealthiest patrons, each section was decorated with a miniature and words surrounded by beautifully decorated border designs.

The Book of Hours—the main prayer book used in medieval Europe—was divided into eight sections (or "hours") that were meant to be read at specific times of day. Each Book of Hours was personalized for the owners and often reflected their economic status.

Historically, illuminated (decorated with silver and gold) manuscripts were produced by monks. By the thirteenth century, an increasing number were created by professional artisans working in commercial centers across Europe.

This page represents the month of May and the book contained scenes from the other months as well.

Look at the startling and brilliant blue color that stands out from all the other colors. The three Limbourgh brothers used an ultramarine made from crushed Middle Eastern lapis-lazuli. (This was, of course, extremely expensive!) The original Riches Heures manuscript is stored in the Chantilly Museum, but is so degraded that it is no longer available to the public

Look at this detailed image. The May jaunt was a pageant celebrating the "joli mois de Mai" in which one had to wear green garments known as livree de mai. The riders are young noblemen and women, with princes and princesses being visible.

Notice the realistic portrayal of the people and the animals. What do you know of the figures in this scene?


Name The Color Family (Online Activity)
Mondrian Shape Collage (Studio Activity)
Let's Play A Guessing Game (Online Activity)