Context of Practice 3 Research: Colour

Colour Theory
For my context of practice module I wanted to look into basic colour theory so that I can use this alongside lighting in an environment and allow them to compliment each other. Colour theory can be seen in a number of different ways and there are usually based around the structure for colour in it's most basic form. Colour theory creates a very logical structure for colour based around a colour circle which traditionally starts with the colours red, yellow and blue. 

The first development of the colour wheel was created by Issac Newton in 1666 but since then there have been many different variations from scientists and artists that have taken a slightly different approach on the colour wheel, but all are similar in the way that they look and what colours that they use. 

We can also represent the colour wheel is three ways showing primary, secondary and tertiary colours. 

Colour Harmony

We can also look at how colour harmony can be used in art or just in general. In visual things, colour harmony is very pleasing to look at and you get a very balanced visual experience from the image. When something is not harmonious it can tend to look very boring or even chaotic and messy. The human brain rejects what it can't organise and this is why colour harmony is so important, especially in art, as it delivers visual interest and creates order in the image. 

Colour Psychology 
I also wanted to look into colour psychology as it is important to know what kind of emotions are stimulated from different colours and also combinations of colours. I found this really helpful website when it came down to looking at the psychology of colour as it really explained the meaning behind each colour and how they can be positive and negative to use.
http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psychological-properties-of-colours 

RED - Physical

Positive: Physical courage, strength, warmth, energy, basic survival, 'fight or flight', stimulation, masculinity, excitement. 
Negative: Defiance, aggression, visual impact, strain.

BLUE - Intellectual.
Positive: Intelligence, communication, trust, efficiency, serenity, duty, logic, coolness, reflection, calm.
Negative: Coldness, aloofness, lack of emotion, unfriendliness.

YELLOW - Emotional

Positive: Optimism, confidence, self-esteem, extraversion, emotional strength, friendliness, creativity. 

Negative: Irrationality, fear, emotional fragility, depression, anxiety, suicide.

GREEN - Balance
Positive: Harmony, balance, refreshment, universal love, rest, restoration, reassurance, environmental awareness, equilibrium, peace. 
Negative: Boredom, stagnation, blandness, enervation.

VIOLET - Spiritual
Positive: Spiritual awareness, containment, vision, luxury, authenticity, truth, quality. 
Negative: Introversion, decadence, suppression, inferiority.

ORANGE
Positive: Physical comfort, food, warmth, security, sensuality, passion, abundance, fun.
Negative: Deprivation, frustration, frivolity, immaturity.

PINK
Positive: Physical tranquillity, nurture, warmth, femininity, love, sexuality, survival of the species.
Negative: Inhibition, emotional claustrophobia, emasculation, physical weakness.

GREY
Positive: Psychological neutrality.
Negative: Lack of confidence, dampness, depression, hibernation, lack of energy.

BLACK
Positive: Sophistication, glamour, security, emotional safety, efficiency, substance. 
Negative: Oppression, coldness, menace, heaviness.

WHITE
Positive: Hygiene, sterility, clarity, purity, cleanness, simplicity, sophistication, efficiency. 
Negative: Sterility, coldness, barriers, unfriendliness, elitism.

BROWN
Positive: Seriousness, warmth, Nature, earthiness, reliability, support. 
Negative: Lack of humour, heaviness, lack of sophistication.