Exploring the Science and Art of Color in the Color Lab

To understand color, we must first understand light! In our latest unit on Color Theory, students began their journey in the Color Lab, where they explored how light and color interact with objects and their surroundings. Through hands-on experiments, they observed the fascinating ways light shapes our perception of color.

Before diving into the lab, students studied the mechanics of light, the visible spectrum, and the color wheel. As artists, they approached color as a “location”—understanding how colors relate to one another on the wheel to create harmony and contrast. They explored concepts such as complementary colors, warm vs. cool tones, and simultaneous contrast. They even examined how color affects our daily lives, from skin tones in portraits to the way lighting transforms our appearance in sunlight, restaurant settings, and (yes, even) dressing rooms!

One of the biggest takeaways? Shadows aren’t gray! Students discovered how different light sources influence color, observing firsthand how red light can create green shadows and warm light can produce cool shadows. They sketched their observations using colored pencils, capturing how light not only illuminates but also shapes forms in space.

Next up—putting this knowledge to the test in a still life painting project using color theory. Stay tuned for the colorful results!