Color particles the silent language of art

Color particles, a language that has been imprinted from the dawn of human history on cave walls to modern canvases. Since ancient times, humans have used it to depict their emotions, dreams, and narratives on various surfaces.

Familiarity with the History of Color in Painting

At first glance, we realize that early humans discovered that by combining color particles with another substance, such as water, they could create paint. When observing a small amount under a microscope, you can clearly see the particles suspended in another material. These pigments are extracted from sources like minerals, plants, vegetables, or insects. The secondary material can be substances such as egg yolk, oil for mural, or metallic alloys used in automobile paints.

Prehistoric Colors

Early humans first used colors during prehistoric times, both in cave paintings and on their bodies. They used tree sap, moss, and their fingers to mix substances to produce various natural colors. At that time, all colors were made from pigments found in the soil or on the earth, such as black ochre, charcoal, and white. Historians believe that the development of the mining industry was largely due to human exploration in the search for pigments and colored materials.

Some of the oldest colors used on cave walls date back 12,000 years, found in a region of India (Madhya Pradesh). The red ochre found on these walls was derived from an iron oxide called “hematite.” Another color from the ochre family, which has a yellow tint, is known as yellow ochre due to the presence of water in iron oxide. This color is called “umber,” named after a region in Italy where this oxide is found. This pigment is extracted from clay containing iron and manganese oxides. Carbon black is another form of black pigment obtained from burnt wood. Another type of black comes from charred bones. White, over the years, has typically been derived from limestone.

The World of Color Palettes: Vast, Mysterious, and Influential

Color palettes have a vast and strange world, and they can even affect our minds and emotions. In the world of art, artists and painters utilize the psychology of color to evoke different feelings in the audience.

Since humans first began using color particles, their psychological impact has been closely studied. The concept was first introduced by Italian writer and artist Leon Battista Alberti in 1435. In the late 15th century, Leonardo da Vinci proposed an alternating hierarchy of colors. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that a more detailed and modern understanding of color emerged, developed by Isaac Newton. He explained this extensively in his 1704 book Opticks.

Each artist or designer has a different approach and goal when choosing colors. This perspective is even applied in the field of advertising. For example, companies like Whole Foods and Starbucks use green in their branding to create a sense of freshness, tranquility, and health. Interior designers also use various colors to define and separate different spaces.

What is Color Psychology?

Human reactions to color are unique to each individual and are rooted in personal and cultural experiences. For example, in the United States, yellow is associated with sunshine and thus evokes feelings of happiness and brightness. However, in France, yellow symbolizes jealousy and betrayal; in the 10th century in France, yellow was painted on the homes of criminals and offenders.

Colors are an essential element in the art of painting. They allow artists to express their emotions, tell stories, and influence their audience. The history of color in painting is a long and fascinating journey that shows how humans have valued beauty and art since ancient times.