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This painting was created through the use of SCIENCE!
I attended a lecture last week at the Art Institute of Chicago (let me take a moment to feel lucky) entitled "The Science of Impressionism". Turns out the Impressionists were very scientific in their approach to color. Specifically, they employed the use of color complements whenever possible to make their color appear more vivid and to make their paintings seem lively and full of movement.
A complementary color is located directly opposite from a color on the color wheel. Typical color complements are yellow/purple, blue/orange, and red/green.
In my painting, I surrounded the yellowish umbrella with a purple-ish background to make it stand out. The bright orange umbrella is countered by the bright blue shirt on the man. The red flowers are standing against green leaves.
During the lecture, we were able to get up close to many famous paintings to see how color complements were used.
Do you see the complements used in this Van Gogh painting? Red and green are quite obvious, and look how he put a stroke of lavender right under her chin to play off the yellow cast of her skin. Orange and blue dance about in the background. Think this was an accident? I think not!
No accident at all. Your paintings is a delight to look at and I really enjoyed revisiting the color wheel. I also just read your bio again and forgot you were in the corporate world in your past. How wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa. I've been loving your blog-- it's so full of whimsy and creativity. It's like a breath of fresh air! Are you a reformed corporate person too?
DeleteLove the painting Ann! I love the the impressionists approach to color...the way they used double split compliments to make the paintings sing!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen!
DeleteSo Cool for such a small painting!
ReplyDeleteYour colors in this really sing, but I have always loved your use of color, Ann. I had a feeling you also used the Munsell wheel. You are quite amazing with the analageous way too.
ReplyDeleteHow great to have the chance to attend a lecture at the fabulous AIC. sigh...Bit of the old envy coming out over here in New Mexico
Right you are Julie, I usually do use the Munsell wheel, but I thought I'd go "old school" on this one! I think you should come to Chicago and visit the Art Institute sometime soon! Thanks so much.
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