Creativity and Colour

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"Colour is life; for a world without colours appears to us as dead...As flame begets light, so light engenders colours. Colours are the children of light, and light is their mother. Light, that first phenomenon of the world, reveals to us the spirit and living soul of the world through colours."

~Johannes Itten (1888-1967) Bauhaus colour master.

Another way to experience colour is through Synesthetics (cross sensory stimulation) –the ability to hear, feel, taste and smell a colour. Or to smell, feel, hear a flavour.

For example, many composers could also hear colour. Franz Lizt would say–'more pink here,' or 'this is too black.' Kandinsky associated sound with colour and he painted abstracts in order to paint music.

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote 'The orchestra was playing yellow cocktail music.' Synesthetics is a common phenomena amongst small children and "primitive" peoples.

For more information about synesthetics visit The International Synaesthesia Association.

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References:

"Itten:The Elements of Color" based on the book "The Art of Colour," by Johannes Itten. I have used this book for many years and it has guided me in my colour choices in design projects, especially corporate identity.

"Know yourself through Colour" by Marie Louise Lacy focuses on the esoteric properties of colour. This book is out of print, however The Complete Color Directory has similar information on colour therapy as well as superb decorating ideas.

Click here for more recommended books on colour.

Links:

Colour Systems in Art and Science
Color Matters

By Linda Naiman

Colours result from light waves which we perceive through the eye and brain. Colour has an emotional, physiological and symbolic effect on us.

The colours you see here are the colours of the rainbow. Study their qualities and determine which colours would be most beneficial to you at this time. Notice how you feel around particular colours. Start by clicking on Violet.

Choose colours that have a favourable effect on your well-being and incorporate them in your decor and clothing.

Avoid wearing black if you suffer from depression. Black absorbs all light and colour, whereas white reflects the colour spectrum. White has a healing and cleansing effect which enhances your feeling of well-being.

Bringing yourself into balance will increase your creative flow. If you practice meditation, visualise the rays of the colour spectrum, especially magenta and violet, to enhance your creativity.

Colour reference library