Colour within Abstract Realism Art is important not only to help the viewer relate to the image but also to appeal to their emotions. Every artist wants their viewer to react in some way to their artwork and by the colours they choose they achieve the desired outcome. With Clements McCulloch’s abstract realism paintings, the dominant colours tend to be blue and green. These two colours have been chosen because not only do they represent the sea and land but also because they are associated with the environment, calmness and mental well being.
Colours and their Associations
As mentioned above Clements McCulloch artwork promotes through its choice of colours such topics as nature, mental health and contemplation. It is important within each abstract artwork to leave the viewer with good feelings of peacefulness in their heart. Blues and greens achieve these feelings and they are used to paint a scene that the viewer will not only enjoy looking at each day but also be uplifted in spirit to go on to progress with their daily activities.
Meditation which we would like everyone to participate in each day is also associated with the colours orange, red and yellow. In the above painting these colours appear. Part of meditation involves reflection and contemplation which shades of green have an association. White although not strictly a colour is also fairly dominant in the above painting. It is associated with such emotions as awareness and hope. Spiritually, white is important with the subliminal message of going up to heaven after a fulfilling and useful life.
One of the ways many people achieve a state of well being physically and mentally is by taking part in yoga. Yoga is associated with the colours yellow, purple, pink, blue, green and white.
The above painting, “Changes” has many of the colours mentioned previously as well as the dominant red. When this painting was being completed the thought was one of changing your life and being determined to do it for the better. Therefore red represented passion to achieve that change. The colours encourage meditation in order to focus your mind on changing habits that are holding you back in some way.
The composition in the above painting is also important. The contrast between the red in the bottom left and the blue in the top right are to symbolise the passion and determination to change your life for the better and the trust associated with the colour blue, to drive you on to succeed.
The other colours of pink, yellow and white are there to support your journey in a peaceful and calm way.
Why choose a particular colour?
Particular colours are chosen because the artist wants the viewer to be moved in some way, emotionally. Although Blue is the dominant colour in the above painting; representing calmness as well as trust, there is also small areas of red and it spreads across the painting. This is to show not only contrast but also that we often can’t remain calm at all times. We can have a strong voice when needed. White is woven throughout the painting to show hope. Yellow is present to represent happiness in our lives. These are the reasons these colours were chosen. To send a message that certain colours represent feelings and emotions.
We chose colours that are in alignment with our beliefs. Nature, environment and wellbeing. Some might choose particular colours because they want to be aligned with their Brand. For a lot of artists Branding is very important.