Of colors and meanings

CEBU, Philippines - For the past months, the adult coloring book craze has swept different areas in the world. The fever has not spared Cebu. The coloring craze has become a favorite activity for many.

Instead of just popular cartoon characters, adult coloring books feature complex drawings – mandalas, mehndis, flowers, animals, cities and even fashion. The complex patterns, fine lines and intricate designs serve as a challenge for those hooked on the activity.

Coloring has become a very attractive activity for adults because it is a form of expression and, according to enthusiasts, is therapeutic, as well. Coloring is not work, they say, but is therapy. This is one activity where there are no rules – there are no right and wrong colors, no good and bad strokes. The idea is to go with the flow.

But did you know that the colors one uses while coloring also has significant effects on one’s emotions? According to www.coloringbook.club, great artists throughout history have studied the hidden secrets of how certain colors affect the mind. Even present day graphic designers consider the emotional responses of their target audience when it comes to the colors they use for company logos, posters and other advertising needs.

Colors can instill a powerful response in the onlooker’s mind that can help connect mentally to the art. Knowing how to add those distinct perceptions to the artwork will make a tremendous positive difference in the outcome. Broader possibilities open up artistically when using the enhancements of color attributes.

Art is one of the purist forms of non-verbal communication. It has energy of its own, and using colors psychologically in a coloring book, will enhance that natural energy. This creates a special connection within the brain that is both personal and universal at the same time.

The next time that you use color to express something in your artwork, think about the emotions that you want to convey to the viewer in your next piece.

Remember to put all of those different attributes of colors to work, into your work, in order to create your next mentally stimulating, emotionally powerful, and absolutely engaging work of art in a coloring book.

Below are the meanings and effects of colors, according to the Coloring Book Club.

RED: Red is a very physical color.

Positive Attributes: Strength, heat, energy, survival, passion, love, stimulation, and excitement.

Negative Attributes: Aggression, anger, danger, defiance, violence, and strife.

BLUE: Blue is an intellectually inspiring color.

Positive Attributes: Wisdom, trust, effectiveness, commitment, reason, reflective, calming.

Negative Attributes: Cold, detached, emotionless, and unfriendly.

YELLOW: Yellow has very emotionally stimulating powers.

Positive Attributes: Cheerfulness, pride, strong mindedness, camaraderie, and inspiration.

Negative Attributes: Irrationality, fear, emotional fragility, depression, anxiety, and suicide.

GREEN: Green helps to promote balance.

Positive Attributes: Equilibrium, stability, renewal, love, replenishment, kindness, awareness, equilibrium, and peacefulness.

Negative Attributes: Lethargy, rot, placidness, and fatigue.

VIOLET: Spirituality is an attribute of violet.

Positive Attributes: Understanding, moderation, inner vision, ability, accuracy, and specialty.

Negative Attributes: Introversion, destructiveness, denial, inferiority.

ORANGE: Orange is associated with abundance.

Positive Attributes: Comfort, sustenance, warmth, security, sensuality, and enjoyment.

Negative Attributes: Want, tribulation, immaturity.

PINK: Pink is a color of calm.

Positive Attributes: Tranquility, caring, radiance, femininity, love, sexuality, birth.

Negative Attributes: Promiscuity, emotional distress, debilitation, and decrepitude.

GRAY: Gray is a somewhat unaffiliated color.

Positive Attributes: Emotional neutrality.

Negative Attributes: Doubt, sogginess, depression, dormancy, and lethargy.

BLACK: Black is all colors absorbed.  

Positive Attributes: Diversity, magic, security, strength, and potentiality.

Negative Attributes: Despair, apathy, malice.