The Fear Behind Color

Color is everywhere, but how we perceive those colors can be different for each individual. For example, looking at an artist works there is a way in how they color their works that capitates ones attention. For some individuals, they may gravitate towards warmer tones such as; yellow, red, orange, or green. Which can bring a sense of warmth, energy, and joy, or even provoke emotions of anger and love. Whilst others may prefer cooler tones such as; blue, purple, or darker shades of green to feel a sense of calmness, tranquility, or sadness. No matter the tone you enjoy more, one thing is clear color when used right can bring out the beauty of a drawing. However, when your first starting to learn how to color it can be a daunting task.

Just like how it’s difficult to first learn how to draw, coloring is also just as complicated. Especially, knowing what colors work with each other can take time to learn. That is why most people don’t color their drawing, most are afraid of messing up. Which is why they give up trying to learn and improve their skills. Can you blame them though? 

Just Imagine;

           “You just finished watching your favorite show and are inspired to create a drawing of your favorite character. Rushing to get a piece of paper and pencil, you sit down and begin to draw. A smile plastered over you face, as you bob to the sound of music in the background, while your imagination runs wild with creativity. Wanting to make this a masterpiece you spend all your time and energy behind your desk being careful with each detail. Hours tick by till finally! You finished! Holding your artwork up towards yourself you can’t help but smile with joy and excitement. However, you feel like something is missing, but what? Looking at your drawing for a while you realize that it would look cooler if you added color. Although, you never colored before, or had some practice with it you want to make your drawing even better. Grabbing your colored pencils of choice you sit back down and begin to color in you drawing. A few minutes pass by and you’ve begun to notice that its not looking how you imagined it, shaking your head you continue hoping that trusting the process will lead to a more desirable outcome. Hours pass by and no matter how much you continue to add color it’s just getting worse and worse. Frustrated you stop and take a break. Coming back you look at your artwork and realize that no matter how much you try it’s just not how you envisioned it. Sadden creeps in as the drawing you spent countless hours working on, got ruined just because of wanting to add color.”

    For most people, this would be so devastating that they would give up on coloring entirely. Others may just give up drawing all together. This a sad truth, coloring just like learning how to draw is a process that can be scary to learn. No one starts knowing how to draw or color, instead its a skill that is developed overtime.