Visual Elements of Art: Color

Color is a crucial part of the visual elements of art. Color serves many purposes, such as bringing out emotional context in the work and giving it more value in meaning. The different colors, and even the lack of color, in art can stimulate the audience’s senses and provoke their thoughts. The element of color is typically the last to be mastered of all the other elements as stated by Henri Matisse, “It is only after years of preparation that the young artist should touch color – not color used descriptively, that is, but as a means of personal expression.” And so, as most artists aim to move the viewers and to express themselves, color is an important and powerful tool in art. 

However, the use of color will vary from every artist and work of art. Based on culture and personal preferences, each artist will have a different way of expressing their different ideas. To demonstrate how strong color can be to the senses, and how different color can be utilized by artists, let’s observe the paintings: Arrangement in Black and Gray: The Artist’s Mother (1872) by James Abbott Mcneill Whistler and The Boating Party (1893-4) by Mary Cassatt.

In the painting Arrangement in Black and Gray: The Artist’s Mother, Whistler focuses on the more fundamental colors of black and white. Working in all different shades of these colors, Whistler creates a realistic scene that is very graceful, yet strict. Tying the sharp profile of the mother with the delicate details, and also the bold use of black and contrasting white, Whistler is able to push an emotion of warmth and coldness all at once.

 

Arrangement in Black and Gray: The Artist’s Mother (1872)
by James Abbott Mcneill Whistler
Credit: Flickr Creative Commons
Original at: https://www.flickr.com/photos

Contrasting Whistler's painting is The Boating Party. Although Cassatt also places a large amount of dark coloring in the foreground and positive space, it does not give the same feeling as Whistler's painting did. Due to the bright colors and tender, rounded shapes that Cassatt also includes in the painting, the overall image is cheerful. The vibrant color adds excitement and life to the painting, making its figures seem animated.

The Boating Party (1893-4) by Mary Cassatt
Credit: Flickr Creative Commons
Original at: https://www.flickr.com/photos