Chapter Six

The Color Monster

I never thought about how the use of color makes artists feel. Personally, I love a black and white image. I was taught in middle school that black and white are not considered color but tints or shades. I love the mystery of a black and white. Maybe this is what the author was trying to say though, artists are trying to find a way to make black and white more than it is just to avoid using color.


In a way I guess it's like being afraid of the dark or of heights. It truly is a monster. Last semester my instructor got into, briefly, about how the color in an image can affect your mood. If you see Red...some might say it makes them feel angry, where others might say it gives them a feeling of love and comfort; Blue might be calming, Green might make one feel anxious or jealous. I think that when an artist is trying to convey a specific mood, then color is a must. Since, Dunning is talking more about painting I think that it is more prominent in the use of a color pallet rather than just a picture of a sunset. Now, if a photographer were to apply this technique in the studio and wanted to portray a certain feel in their commercial photography or even with a family portrait...again in that scenario I think your conscience needs to check for the color monster under your bed and reassure you that there is nothing to be afraid of.