Famous Artwork by Pablo Picasso
Throughout an artist’s lifetime, changes in approach, subject matter, and even style is to be expected. This phenomenon is apparent and particularly emphasized in the paintings of Pablo Picasso. While Picasso is best known for his cubist period he he dabbled and perfected many different subjects and genres of art that spanned 79 years. To trace his stylistic evolution, his body of work is often divided into periods: early work, the Blue Period, the Rose Period, the African Period, Cubism, Neoclassicism, Surrealism, and later work.
Before Picasso's most famous period, Cubism, he did a series called his blue period. What interests me about this period not only his use of color and exploration of emotions is Picasso skill in painting the human forms, portraits to be exact. It always fascinates me when the naysayers refer to his cubist period as "requiring no skill" his blue period proves them all wrong. This series of artwork is full of talent and thoughtful skill.
Blue Period (1901-1904)
In 1901, Picasso appeared to begin to push the boundaries of realism for the sake of narrative and artistic voice. This is particularly clear in his preference for color, which evolved from naturalistic hues to cooler tones. This change in pigment lasted until 1904, and is now characterized as the artist’s Blue Period.
Art of this period is somber in both color and in subject matter—an approach likely caused by depression due to a close friend’s suicide. The monochromatic pieces often feature figures living in poverty or despair, like the gaunt guitar player in The Old Guitarist, the unhappy Absinthe Drinker who sits with her arms folded, and the embracing Mother and Child who actually live in a disease-ridden women’s prison.
Picasso’s Blue Period (and causal depression) lasted until 1904. At this time, less solemn subjects and a warmer color scheme began to pop up in his paintings.
Color psychology: PICASSO PORTRAYS A CERTAIN MOOD IN HIS ARTWORK
"Picasso intentionally painted in monochrome tones of blue, which reflected his low psychological state, and portrayed that to the viewer of his artwork"(Color as Emotion, n.d.) His blue paintings portray destitute human beings. He chose the color blue deliberately. These paintings are deep and cold, signifying misery and despair — "to intensify the hopelessness of the figures depicted, such as beggars, prostitutes, the blind, out-of-work actors and circus folk, as well as Picasso himself and his penniless friends. At the time, Picasso even wore blue clothes"(Picasso and the, 2013).
In 'The Tragedy' (1903) he uses cool blues to evoke the chill of sadness and despair in a typically gloomy subject from this period(Color as Emotion, n.d.). Artist Laura Joy Lustig recolored "Tragedy" in 2003. Viewing her piece it is easy to see how the coloring has great effect and the mood of the painting eases if you remove the color, or recolor it with different hues.
Before Picasso's most famous period, Cubism, he did a series called his blue period. What interests me about this period not only his use of color and exploration of emotions is Picasso skill in painting the human forms, portraits to be exact. It always fascinates me when the naysayers refer to his cubist period as "requiring no skill" his blue period proves them all wrong. This series of artwork is full of talent and thoughtful skill.
Blue Period (1901-1904)
In 1901, Picasso appeared to begin to push the boundaries of realism for the sake of narrative and artistic voice. This is particularly clear in his preference for color, which evolved from naturalistic hues to cooler tones. This change in pigment lasted until 1904, and is now characterized as the artist’s Blue Period.
Art of this period is somber in both color and in subject matter—an approach likely caused by depression due to a close friend’s suicide. The monochromatic pieces often feature figures living in poverty or despair, like the gaunt guitar player in The Old Guitarist, the unhappy Absinthe Drinker who sits with her arms folded, and the embracing Mother and Child who actually live in a disease-ridden women’s prison.
Picasso’s Blue Period (and causal depression) lasted until 1904. At this time, less solemn subjects and a warmer color scheme began to pop up in his paintings.
Color psychology: PICASSO PORTRAYS A CERTAIN MOOD IN HIS ARTWORK
"Picasso intentionally painted in monochrome tones of blue, which reflected his low psychological state, and portrayed that to the viewer of his artwork"(Color as Emotion, n.d.) His blue paintings portray destitute human beings. He chose the color blue deliberately. These paintings are deep and cold, signifying misery and despair — "to intensify the hopelessness of the figures depicted, such as beggars, prostitutes, the blind, out-of-work actors and circus folk, as well as Picasso himself and his penniless friends. At the time, Picasso even wore blue clothes"(Picasso and the, 2013).
In 'The Tragedy' (1903) he uses cool blues to evoke the chill of sadness and despair in a typically gloomy subject from this period(Color as Emotion, n.d.). Artist Laura Joy Lustig recolored "Tragedy" in 2003. Viewing her piece it is easy to see how the coloring has great effect and the mood of the painting eases if you remove the color, or recolor it with different hues.
Artwork from Pablo Picasso's Blue Period
Color Theory Explained.
Since mankind began using pigments, the effects of color on our psychological state have been closely examined. Color theory—a term used to describe the collection of rules and guidelines regarding the use of color in art.
Color psychology is the study of hues as a determinant of behavior, and it depicts how color affects us in every facet of life. From cognitive performance to consumer purchasing patterns, each person has a varying degree of emotional responses to color hue, saturation, and brightness.
COOL COLORS
Known to create calm and harmonious feelings, cool colors can even go as far as invoking sadness and depressive thoughts.
BLUE: Invoking compassion and wisdom, truth and loyalty. In a more negative tone, it can be considered cold and uncaring, and is often associated with resignation and solitude.
GREEN: A harmonious color, green encourages a calming, comfortable attitude, filled with hope and healing. Associated with success, it can also invoke a sense of greed or jealousy.
PURPLE: The traditional color of royalty, this color is associated with wealth and respect. Used in holy days in the Catholic church, it also signifies mystery and spirituality.
WARM COLORS
The psychology of color indicates that stimulating warm colors can increase energy and appetites; along with this also comes increased irritation and anxiety.
RED: Associated with romance and excitement, this color exudes power and ambition. However, it is also known to increase the sensation of danger, rebellion and violence.
ORANGE: Often considered an extravagant color, orange is also seen as an enthusiastic and joyful color. Believed to be a model for service and warm, it can also correspond to aggression and domination.
YELLOW: Most often thought of as the color of happiness, this traditionally cheerful color invokes friendship and imagination. However, one must not forget the other side of the yellow coin—it is used to demonstrate caution, danger, and even aging.
NEUTRAL COLORS
WHITE: Showcasing purity and innocence, this color is universally considered for cleanliness. However, it is also a stark color, displaying sterility, and in some cultures, signifying death.
GREY: The “king” of neutrality, this color represents compromise, and gives a sense of peacefulness. It can, at times, be associated with sadness or melancholy.
BROWN: The color of “nature”, brown is associated with comfort and warmth. However, as a somewhat “drab” color, it can also set a somber tone.
BLACK: In a positive light, black can be sophisticated and mysterious. However, it is considered in most western cultures as an example of morbidity and death.
Project Questions |
Assignment : To create an Emotional PORTRAIT
Human have wide range of emotions and generally speaking we express them. In this project insipired by picassos blue period choose a emotion or characterisitc that you can express through color and gesture. Then identify a color that best represents that and use it to create a Monochromatic portrait that displays that emotion. In my tutorials I try to paint a portrait that displays Uncertainty and a slight bit of disgust. I found images of photos of expressions that fit my emotion and then using the color enhancing (image adjustments) I apply a monochromatic color theory to help seal my emotional narrative
Project objectives
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Tutorial |