Contemplating Colour

Colour...
One of the most (if not the most) dominant considerations in the world of Art & Design.

As a trend forecaster and designer I am invariably dictated to by colour. 
It is a Love/Hate relationship.
The power it has impresses me and as I continue to search for new and exciting Pantone that brings new life to fabric or change the message of an image, I still fear the comedown at the sheer scale of choice, which can leave me feeling exhausted for days.

It is always my greatest battle.

I know what I want when it comes to the structure of a garment and I know how I want the fabric to feel. The outlook, the patterns, the general aesthetic... all a breeze in comparison to the choice of colour.

 When I was 14, I painted my bedroom walls several different contrasting colours. This was because one was just not enough.

But then I do appreciate minimalism. 

And I gaze with owe at bridal pieces with so much beauty that stand so overbearing but all in white.

The designers who can stick to a single colour palette are usually the most alluring.

Their lives and choices look easier and I envy their will power deeply.
I love colour. And the Psychology behind it. 

The way it can affect the mood of a painting changed in our view by the ambience that engulfs it. Or the way a garment is received. 

It is still mesmerising to me and it is important to understand it, to learn colours, to indulge in their meaning and listen to the effect they have on us in every day life. The emotions they can bring out in us and the way a simple hit of it can effect the feeling towards a design. 

They say it is weather that effects our mood. I believe it is colour.

It changes our environment. 

When the sun beats down on a hot summer's day and the glow of sunshine lights up a scenery, it brings us joy in what we see as well as the warmth we feel. Its telling in how a standard photo can become immediately vintage just by adding an 'old school' filter.

 In an attempt to learn the language of colour it is important to first begin with the basics...What colours mean and what they represent. 

The definians of colour theory are many and can be as easy 'as a sunday morning' or as complex as the english dictionary to understand.

Newton began exploring colour in the 17th century and put together a plethora of findings dedicated to the understanding of colour theory. 

>The refraction of white light through the use of a prism to create a rainbow in which he was the first to understand and give an in depth explanation of. 

Newtons first drawings of the colour wheel have always and still continue to inspire me. The delicacy of the lines, the intricacy of his explanation, all beautiful and thought provoking. The demonstration of his colour theory in form of a circle is perhaps the most beautiful and has not only inspired me but has been a fascination throughout the world of art for Centuries. A piece of art in it's own right.

> Previously the theory of colour was explained through the amount of white light or darkness added.... The least amount of light allowing us to view a shocking red and the birth of a full blue from the darkest depth of black.

 Its also worth looking at a book by George Fields that was published in 1835. Considered as one of the most useful books in relation to colour and dissecting pigments, It is interestingly related to chemistry. 

It fills all requirements for a complete and concise book of explanation and is a fascinating tribute to its time, discussing the relationship between colours whilst focusing on their significance in paintings. George explores the chemistry behind colour pigments and he advises on which colours benefit a certain kind of story telling. If you want to get your message across he points out which colours should fulfil your requirements.

The book is also unique in that unlike the other books of its time that focus on colour in painting, showcases a large collection of pigments on the inside of its pages, which usually would have been left blank, in one way making it almost like a pantone reference book. Maybe one of the first. Which I believe is worth a hand out of appreciation. 

One of my all time favourite colours is 'almost black navy blue' which to me represents a warmth in utter darkness. 

I see it in the sky at night and in the metallic glare of black paint in a reflection. This corresponds with one of my all time favourite artists Caravaggio who played with hints of light on a completely dark canvas. His paintings show a dark ambience and the image is given through the use of its light to draw attention.

Another of my favourites is 'Ginger'. oh. I am in love with all things ginger.

The rough texture of a Ginger nut biscuit and the warmth of Ginger fur.

The colour makes me feel warm inside and can turn my mood in an instant. 

Perhaps this stems from the love I had for a certain pet cat that dominated all the love in my life as a teen. 
In that respect I definitely see the link between colour and emotion.

I could talk about colour all day and I could spend hours exploring the feelings and meanings behind the layered subject... But then I have a job to do. And if there's one thing I'm sure of it's that I'm delighted it involves colour. 

.X.