The Color Purple
Welcome back! This is my last entry related to colors and Color Theory! This is the final part of the Color Module from my CORE II class and I thought it would be nice to share the last activity we did and to reflect a bit as well on what I've learned throughout this module.
Color Presentation
The last section in this module consisted of making a presentation on a determined color. Our group's color was Purple. There are many interesting things about the color purple, starting by the fact that it isn't a primary color. It is a secondary color resulting from the additive combination of red and blue.
As we can see here, the combination of primary colors yields secondary colors, which in turn can make tertiary colors through further combinations and modifications of the original two.
Purple, or Violet as it is theoretically known is the secondary color that occurs when blue and red are combined (speaking of additive color, which means light and refraction, not pigment).
Some Fun Facts About Purple
Here's a few things we learned from our little presentation!
Purple pigment was originally made from a rock/mineral called Hematite.
In Asia, specifically in China, they made the first synthetic purple pigment, but there was a chemical imbalance in their formula that eventually made it turn blue. It was known as Hans Purple.
In 1859 Cobalt Purple became the first successfully manufactured synthetic purple and its seen in paintings by Claude Monet and Georges Seurat.
Purple was associated (in early cultures/monarchies) with mysticism and sorcery!
The color was reserved for royalty in early monarchy and at one point was even restricted to certain members of the Royal Family.
Darker shades of the color are also associated with wisdom/bravery.
Reflecting on Color
Our presentation wasn't the only one of course, we had each primary and even secondary color covered by different groups in our class. I have learned so much about color with this module. Being a photographer, color and light are extremely important to my art practice. Recently I heard one of my friends say "my photographer eyes are always on" and I feel extremely identified with that. At all times of the day, when I'm seeing things, I imagine that I'm looking at it through my camera's viewfinder. I'm looking at the shapes and lines, how they communicate, the people and living subjects in the space and how they move, and I'm also always looking at color. Do I see any complimentary colors? Do any colors stand out more? How can I capture the saturation of the blue sky that I'm seeing with my own eyes? How can I make the aesthetic of the shop signs combine based on color? All these questions and ideas that surge just because I'm looking at a world absolutely full of light and colors. What do you think? How much of an impact does color have on your life? Or are you just now realizing that you might have taken it for granted a teensy weensy bit?
Last, but certainly not least, enjoy this example of Queen Elizabeth in her purple attire.
Thanks for reading!
I'll see ya next time! :)
-Gabe <3