Colour is used by artists to express mood, meaning, and emotion in their works. Take a vivid dive into colour theory and learn how to look at colour in art.
As We See It: Looking at Art
Ever looked at an artwork and wondered how to make sense of it?
Learn here about the parts that make up a work of art and grow your own taste and preferences!
What are hue, value, and intensity when we talk about colour? How about the difference between shape and form? Learn what to look for in an artwork, in this series for beginners.
Stories in this series:
You’re reading an adaptation of our booklet, The Honest Guide to Seeing Art, part 1. Pick up your free physical copy at the Gallery!
Did you know?
In this painting by Filipino artist Juan Luna, our eyes are immediately drawn to two figures walking up a flight of stairs and towards the yellow rays of a bright horizon. Look closer at the colour of their robes: one figure is wearing a dark red robe, while the other wears one that is a lighter tint of blue. A warm colour like red tends to draw more attention than a cool colour like blue.
Juan Luna. España y Filipinas (Spain and the Philippines). 1884. Oil on canvas, 229.5 x 79.5 cm. Collection of National Gallery Singapore.
As We See It – Clues in the hues
As We See It – Taking Shape
Discover how artists use line, shape and form to create two and three-dimensionality in their artworks.
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As We See It – Harmony in Parts
Learn how everyday subjects become compelling works of art through careful and considered composition – the arrangment of visual elements in an artwork.
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