Color: Vibration and symbolism

This week I’m going to talk to you about what I consider to be an extremely important aspect of painting, and of abstract painting in particular: Color symbolism.

I get a lot of feedback from people who tell me they have a lot of problems with the use and association of colors. So before talking about color harmony, I decided to tell you about color symbolism.

I also invite you to discover my article on how to mix your colors.

Color = vibration

Sound is a wave that vibrates, that you pick up on and that creates emotions in you.

In the end, it’s exactly the same for colors, even if it’s harder to believe or understand…

In fact, just like sound, color vibrates! You perceive colors in a vibratory way. Your eye picks up vibrations and these are retranscribed to your brain as emotions.

Symbolism

Despite our own tastes, colors are generally associated with symbolism.

However, it’s important to bear in mind that color symbolism differs from country to country, culture to culture and time to time. countries, cultures and eras.

Symbolism of red :

Red is a color I love and one that ‘s used a lot in abstract painting and contemporary art.

As you often hear me say in my videos: red is a very powerful color.

Red is designed to attract attention. A simple example: important traffic signs are red: Wrong way, stop, look out, etc.

Lend yourself to the game and present a red painting to an audience among many other paintings. I can assure you that the eyes of almost the entire audience will initially be focused on your red board. It will immediately catch people’s eye.

An expression:

Red with shame

Red connotes :

• The danger
• The passion
• Anger
• Life
• Love
• The power
• The action

 

Symbolism of yellow :

Yellow is a warm color, and goes well with red (chromatically speaking).

An expression:

Yellow laughter

Yellow connotes :

• Energy
• Heat
• cheerfulness
• fidelity
• Well-being

 

Orange symbolism :

It’s a warm, powerful color, somewhere between yellow and red. It’s an invigorating color, widely used for communication and creativity.

Like red, this color is powerful, so use it sparingly.

The color orange connotes :

• Gaiety
• Optimism
• Open-mindedness
• Inspiration
• Imagination
• Hope
• Betrayal

 

Symbolism of green :

Generally speaking, when we talk about the color green, we immediately associate it with nature.

This soothing color is also associated with the medical and natural worlds.

An expression:

A green thumb

Green connotes :

• Nature
• Knowledge
• Hope
• Calm
• Youth
• Satisfaction

 

Blue symbolism :

Blue is the color generally associated with the sea, the sky… It’s also associated with dreams and serenity.

Like green, this color connotes calm and soothes. Blue is also very reassuring.

An expression:

Scared to death

Blue connotes :

• Peace
• Freedom
• Wisdom
• Trust
• Calm
• Freshness

Violet symbolism:

This color is highly controversial.

Purple connotes :

• The mystery
• Spirituality
• Compassion
• Delicacy
• Sadness
• The dream

 

Symbolism of white :

White connotes :

• Purity
• Justice
• Perfection
• Elegance
• Virtue

 

Black connotes :

• The night
• Evil
• Mourning
• The authority
• Elegance
• or the mystery

 

To conclude

You’ll understand that it’s important to choose your colors carefully before embarking on the creation of your abstract painting. In fact, you need to know the symbolism of colors so that your state of mind and the message you wish to convey through your work are consistent.

Thank you in advance for your comments below.