By Chelsea Reed
Welcome back! In continuation of our exploration in color psychology, we will now look at the rest of the colors in the spectrum to see how they impact our responses in art therapy.
Green: Balancing Success and Conscience
This color from plants reminds people of life, good health, and growth, which coincides with economic wealth. Green’s ability to balance logic and emotion is sometimes associated with justice and choosing right from wrong. Many shades of green are abundant in nature and pleasing to look at, which is why they have a calming and stress-relieving effect.
Blue: The Ultimate Tranquility
Even more calming than green, blue is the ultimate color of relaxation. It is one of the most-liked colors in the world. As the last color in the light spectrum, blue emphasizes quietness and provides a wonderful compliment to orange. It encourages us to stop and think about a situation before we act. Blue is a renowned sign of trust in color psychology and the best color for bedrooms and gathering places in home design.
Purple: Where Creativity Meets Mystery
For centuries the color purple was hard to find in nature, and rarely seen in clothes and jewelry. As a result, purple has been associated with royalty, mystery, and the divine in most cultures. It also symbolizes courage, loyalty, and wisdom in art therapy. Combining red’s energy with blue’s relaxation, purple is intriguing to look at and excellent for creativity because it stimulates the imagination.
Black: The Symbol of Power and Prestige
Did you know that black isn’t a color at all? It’s really the absence of light and absorbs all the colors in the spectrum. For this reason, black is the warmest ‘color’ to wear in cold climates. Its eye-catching presence commands independence and power. In art therapy, black is an excellent contrast and a strong color for sophistication when used with discretion.
Brown: The Choice for Dependability and Safety
Brown is abundant in nature and provides a sense of structure and protection. It’s a thoughtful and reassuring color that people associate with families and daily routines. Brown is an ideal exchange for black when something calmer might be a better fit. For best results, mix brown with orange, green, and other bright colors to break the monotony and inspire interest.
White: A Clean Slate for Fresh Beginnings
While black is the total absence of light, white contains all the colors in the spectrum. It has often been associated with wholeness, purity, peace, cleanliness, innocence, simplicity, and fresh beginnings in color psychology. White is a good color for spearheading new ideas and creating art. Make sure to arrange it with other colors that catch your eyes’ attention.
These examples are some of many different ways that colors inspire us. Now that you know the meanings behind each color, experiment with your own art therapy and decorate your home, or paint your own work of art. You can see some examples at Seaside Art Gallery in person or through our gallery online. And most importantly, have fun!
Chelsea Reed is a freelance copywriter and blogger. She writes articles, blogs, online content, press releases, websites, and is published in North America.
