Color impression is a theory that I have found interesting. This theory "properly begins with color effects in nature" (Itten, 1961, p.124). I find this study a reoccurring theme that interests me. I also enjoy the fact that color impression is not based on reproducing nature, but analyzing and exploring how different colors affect each other. I realize now that I am not just interested in creating beautiful works of art, but I am intrigued by understanding why things are so beautiful and what makes them this way. I have realized that I am curious about not only beauty or art, but how it is created and the ideas behind it. I feel that color impression and cubism are both very different, but they are similar because they both analyze the idea of art. These ideas are very inspiring to me, and I believe they give me a new perspective as an artist.
Another aspect of color theory I find intriguing is the ideas on complementary color represented in shadow. Johannas Itten mentions a study done where different color light bulbs were shown on a white plaster bust. I was interested to find that "in daylight each colored light produced a shadow of the complementary color" (Itten, 1961). This was something I have never noticed before, and I would like to try this experiment myself.
Another concept that piqued my interested was an idea on color mixing. This idea is adding a slight bit of one complementary color to the other and adding white and black to create an exciting tint. I found this fun to try while I was making colored paper. I like the way it contrasted and accentuated the original colors.
Color is a huge part of art, and there have been many theories and studies based on color. I amazed and enamored by the use of color in art, and I believe it is important for all artists to understand different theories on color in order to become a great artist
References:
Itten, J. (1961). The Art of color; The subjective experience and objective rationale of color. New York, NY: Reinhold Publishing Corporation.
