Understanding Color Through the Eyes of Art History with Andrée B. Carter

Are you interested in learning more about color and how to analyze paintings with confidence and joy? Bring your curiosity and your desire to explore the magic of color and art history to this fun and easy 3-session workshop. Through specially designed exercises and in-depth discussions, the workshops will bridge the gap between color techniques and color changes that have occurred over time. This class is for people from any background; no previous experience is necessary. Bring your curiosity and desire to explore the magic of color and art history.

Color theory explores the behavior of colors: how they mix, color contrast effects, color harmony, color schemes, and color symbolism. Sir Isaac Newton, Michel Chevreul, Johannes Goethe, Albert Munsell, Josef Albers, and Johannes Itten are color theorists who studied color theory in detail. The exercises presented in this class will explore their theories and show how the use of color has changed over time.

Session 1: Explores the function of the color wheel, the importance of a value scale, and the usefulness of tints, tints, tones, and shades. The lecture will include imagery from pre-historic times to Romanticism. Each session will have practical exercises which reinforce the material presented and offer the opportunity to explore the concepts.

Session 2: Explores the use of neutrals mixed from complimentary colors along with compliments and analogous color relationships. Participants will have ample opportunity to create a simple design in two ways: using a complimentary color scheme as well as an analogous color scheme. The lecture will include paintings from Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, and Art Nouveau.

Session 3: Explores the use of a monochromatic color scheme. A monochromatic colors scheme is one color, plus the addition of white, black and grey.Participants will create a simple design using a monochromatic color scheme. You will be amazed at how effective the use of one color can create a dynamic design. The lecture will include paintings from Modernism to Present.

The instructor will provide all handouts with definitions of any and all terminology related to this class.

Materials List:

*Gouache* paints: large tube of Titanium White, large tube of Mars or Ivory Black,

Red, Blue, and Yellow. No other colors needed.

Smooth Bristol Paper

Palette Paper

TOOLS: Ruler, Scissors, Glue Stick, Pencils, Erasers

2 or 3 FLAT Acrylic brushes about 2 inches wide (you may want more brushes later)

Gouache paint is water soluble but is different from acrylics as it creates a smooth flat application. Please purchase only Gouache paint for this class.

Andrée B. Carter, originally from New Orleans has lived in both Seattle and Los Angeles. She now resides full-time in Palm Desert, California where she works full-time as an artist.

Andrée received her MFA from The University of New Orleans and a BS from Loyola University in New Orleans (Cum Laude). She has studied art history in Florence, Italy. She has 20+ years of teaching experience which includes college level courses in Color Theory, Drawing and Perspective, Figure Drawing, Art History courses including Contemporary Art History and the History of Interior Design, and 2-D Design, and has more recently conducted adult workshops in New Orleans, Seattle, and in her studio in Cathedral City. She will bring her full range of experiences to this opportunity!

Host or Publisher Artists Council