Name two characteristics that the top row of these colors has in common with the bottom row.
Now, name one characteristic which is different between the two rows of colors.
If you answered that each column of the two rows is made up of the same hue and the two rows are of the same value range, you answered correctly. And for their difference, if you answered the rows are of a different intensity, you scored.
Tip: The range of color intensities we use can communicate a mood.
Amused, anxious, uncertain, calm, dreamy, ecstatic, joyous, relaxed, mellow, nostalgic, warm, gleeful, brooding, cynical, dreary, foreboding, hopeless, morose, somber, just to name a few. Mood is created by our reaction to how we feel about something. The lower intensities communicate the more subdued moods whereas the higher intensities are more uplifting
Here's a chart showing a full intensity range of each of the above colors:
 |
| Low intensity range Median intensity range High intensity range. |
Try this: Use your hand to block all but the first two columns on the left. First, take a long, deep breath. Then after five seconds, gradually shift your hand to the right, revealing another column every three seconds. As you do this, notice your change in feeling response. Now, try blocking out the center column so that see only three of the columns on each side. Shift your eyes slowly from one to another and check whether you have a shift in feeling.
I suggested you take a long, deep breath to clear your emotions so that you will have a clearer feeling your response to the colors.
Tip: By keeping the dominant intensity range low and the value range in the low to median key, you can communicate a range of subdued moods including somber, dreary, melancholy, bleak, mournful and more. On the other hand, if you use a median intensity range with a full value range (dark to light), you can communicate joyous, relaxed, warm, nostalgic, playful, passionate and more.
Advice: Be careful about using a dominance of high intensity colors in one painting. Such over exuberance will overwhelm your audience.
Happy painting,
Dianne
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