Emotional Qualities of the Colour Yellow in Art Therapy

Thank you once again for joining me for the fourth video in my intro to Colour therapy series. Today we are discussing Yellow.

Intro:

Yellow is a primary colour, along with Red and Blue, it is one of the three colours in the lower half of the visible spectrum It is known as a “warm” colour and has a stimulating effect. It is the colour of the intellect and can be very helpful with study and where concentration is required.

“Yellow is the hottest, the most expansive and the most burning of all colours in its intensity, violence and almost strident shrillness” And as such, captivates the senses immediately. Yellow, is closely associated with gold and the Sun’s rays, and has the qualities to manifest power. As a masculine colour, it represents light and life, and as such can never be sullied or darkened. So strong is its brightness that it is closely associated with youth, strength, and divine immortality. As an intellectual colour, it is said to provide a link between the gods and mankind.

Positive and Negative:

It is important again to make sure that before we can analyse the colour yellow, we need to put it in context with the art work in determining the overall message.

The positive use of the colour yellow, based on universal philosophy and mythology, is said to symbolise:

Intellectualism

Youth and divine immortality

Innovation

Self-confidence

Courage

Link between divine and earth

Broad minded

Good humoured

Confident

Wise

Logical

Positive

Intellectual

The negative use of the colour yellow, based on universal philosophy and mythology, is said to symbolise:

False intellectualism

Adultery

Bankruptcy

Narcissism

Cruelty and deceit

Cowardice

Guilt complexes

Vindictive

Looks for flattery

Feelings of inferiority

Over analytical

Pessimistic

Cowardly

Deviousness

Shades:

When determining the positive or negative use of the colour yellow, shade is important. Bright yellow can symbolise the intellect and bravery, where as dull yellow can symbolise cowardice, false optimism, and guilt complexes. A golden yellow shows high-minded, noble qualities, pale primrose indicates great intellectual power, and dark dingy yellow can suggest jealously and suspicion.

Healing Qualities:

Healing properties: Yellow helps strengthen the nerves and the mind. It helps awaken mental inspiration and stimulates higher mentality. Thus, it is an excellent colour for nervous or nerve-related conditions or ailments. It also energizes the muscles. Dark yellow soothes pains in the nerves (shooting pains)

Yellow can be used for conditions of the stomach, liver, and intestines. Speeds up the digestion and assimilation, and the stool.

It helps the pores of the skin and aids scarred tissue in healing itself.

Yellow links with and stimulates the solar plexus, or psychic center. It can be used for psychic burnout or other psychic-related conditions or ailments. Activates and cheers up depressed and melancholic people. Gives lust for life.

People that have a preference for yellow: Like the colour of the sun, have life-force, vividity, vitality and energy. Have cheerfulness, curiosity, alternation, flexibility, progress, amusement, contact through traveling and communication, learning and practical knowledge. A feeling for writing and speaking.

A person who has an aversion to yellow: may be emotionally disappointed and bitter. May have tendency to rationalize feelings, or to avoid the depth of life by often changing relationships, many superficial relationships and/or constant changing activities.

How to use it:

Use the colour yellow to stimulate for studying or for intellect, but use in small amounts as it can over-stimulate. As it can stimulate energy in muscles, use it in a work out area, or just wear it to be more cheerful and happier.

Why don’t you try to wear something yellow today and see how it makes you feel?

Tomorrow we will be discussing green, which is so appropriate for mothers day being the healing colour of mother nature. See you at 10am or watch the video any time.

Don’t forget that you can always re-watch the video to remember details about the colour  

Emotional Qualities of Orange in Art Therapy

Thanks for joining me today, this is the third video in my Intro to Colour therapy series. If you haven’t had a chance to watch the first two, please do so after this one. They are full of interesting information.

Today we are talking about the Emotional qualities of the colour Orange.

Intro:

Orange is the colour combination between red and yellow. As it is next to Red in the spectrum, it is a warm colour but without the intense heat of Red. It is a feminine energy, so more gentle than the masculine Red.

It is a great colour for those feeling lethargic or miserable, as it bring vitality and disperses heaviness.

 Orange is symbolic of the point of balance between the spirit and the libido and is indicative of creative expression and the spark of genius. This balance between spirit and libido is tricky, and as a result, the colour orange can sometimes represent lust and infidelity when it tips in favour of the libido. In contrast, when it tips in favour of the spirit, it is said to symbolise divine love and fidelity. Aside from its balancing act between spirit and libido, there is a natural charge to orange that is revitalising and invigorating.

It is interesting that orange is the colour which is the least popular, as orange is such a good colour for us in many ways. It stimulates and energizes us, and is warming. It is an excellent colour for creativity.

Positive and Negative:

Again, for Art Therapy clients, before we can analyse the use of the colour orange, we need to explore the symbols contained in the art work in determining the overall message and question the client.

The positive use of the colour orange, based on universal philosophy and mythology, is said to symbolise:

Vitality and ambition

Worldly success

Optimistic

Creative spark

Divine love and fidelity

Lives life to the fullest

Joyous

Self-Confident

Enthusiastic

Independent

Sociable

Constructive

Creative

The negative use of the colour orange, based on universal philosophy and mythology, is said to symbolise:

Lust and infidelity

Laziness

Lack of ambition

Despondency

Pride

Exhibitionism

Dependency

Destructive attitudes

Unsociable

Difficulty interacting with others

Shades:

The positive or negative use of the colour orange is also dependent on the shade. Golden, bright orange symbolises vitality, health, well-being, and self-control, whereas a dull, muddy orange can indicate a lack of ambition and a lazy attitude.  A deep Orange can symbolise pride.

Healing Qualities:

Healing properties of Orange can bring: warm, cheering, and non-constricting qualities. Orange has a freeing action upon the body and mind, relieving repressions. Orange shows new possibilities and other options in life. Stimulates creative thinking and enthusiasm, and helps assimilate new ideas. It is also helpful in dealing with excess sexual expression.

Orange stimulates the lungs, the respiration and the digestion. Increases the activity of the thyroid. Reliefs muscle cramps and spasms. Also increases the amount of mother milk.

People that have a preference for orange show: the warmth of the fire. It brings even more energy than yellow, celebration and great abundance, comfort, and enjoyment of the senses. They are warm, sociable, dynamic and independent people who dedicate themselves to whatever they do.

People with an aversion to orange: may have suppressed sexual feelings or other difficulties with sensual enjoyment of life. They can also be over-sensual, indulgent, or too materialistic.

How to use:

We can use colours to help provide us with a balanced environment. Orange is the colour of fun and sociability and can be used in any activity area and creative areas. It is not ideal for bedrooms or areas of possible stress.

It is a colour that motivates and activates, and keeps us charged. Therefore, it is unwise to paint a bedroom wall orange, unless we don’t mind laying awake for hours on end with an overactive mind and body. Orange walls are better suited for

Offices, art studios or other environments where such activity is encouraged. It is great to surround yourself in Orange to bring out creativity. I recently bought an Orange car and I will be promoting my Art Therapy business with it.

So that is Orange, join me tomorrow at 10am for the qualities of yellow. See you then J

Don’t forget that you can always re-watch the video to remember details about the colour  

Emotional Qualities of Red in Art Therapy

Hi everyone, this live is following on from the Intro to Art Therapy video live I did yesterday, this is the second in the series. This is about the emotional qualities of the colour red,

Intro:

Red is the lowest and longest wavelength of the seven colours in the visible spectrum otherwise known as a rainbow and is known as a “warm” colour.

It is known as the colour of blood and fire and is regarded universally as representing life-force and energy.

In both Eastern and Western culture, the colour red has long been associated with heat, passion, and intensity.

It is therefore an invigorating colour that stimulates, rather than calms. It elicits our inner desires, instead of subduing them.

Red has long been associated with the emotions of anger and rage (“seeing red” is a statement we make when we are angry), but also relates to our sense of strength, desire, passion, and vitality.

When we use red, we are using a powerful colour that expresses these elements within us. It is very much a take action colour.

Positive and negative:

In its most positive sense, Red is the colour for courage, vitality, strength and pioneering spirit.

However, in it’s negative, it is the colour of anger, violence, aggressiveness, conquest, brutality and, interestingly, before world war two it was noted that a lot of red was being worn.

When the colour red is predominant in a client’s art work in art therapy, it is important to put it in context with the art work’s theme and other symbols, then we determine whether the use of this colour is to communicate a negative concept, or a positive one.

For example, the picture could be of a love heart and two happy people, or it could be of an angry red face. Because there are so many possible meanings, it is important to talk to a client and find out what is going on in their life.

If we find that the theme is positive, we can then explore the colour red from a positive viewpoint. In this case, based on universal philosophy and mythology, the colour red is said to symbolise for positive:

Harmony and expansiveness

Good fortune and blessing

Intensity and passion

Vast and irresistible strength

Spiritual virtues of love of God

Courage

Leadership qualities

Strong Willed

Confidence

Energetic

Determined

Spontaneous

If we find that the theme is negative, then we need to explore it from that. In this case, based on universal philosophy and mythology, the colour red is said to symbolise:

Powerful taboos, often of a sexual nature

Impurity – in need of cleansing

Lust for power

Hatred

Fury and Anger

Cruelty

Slaughter and Murder

Fearful

Fear of progress

Ruthless

Brutal/Aggressive

Domineering

Resentful

Self Pity

Obstinate

Quick Tempered

For example- If a client was to draw a picture of a parental figure, larger than life and in red, it may mean that they see this person as domineering, or full of big love. It would require further questioning to see if in is a positive or negative use of the colour, what shade of red may be able to give us a clue.

Shades:

Whether the red is a bright or dark provides us with additional insight into the meanings behind the colour as red does come in many shades.

Traditionally, the brighter the red the more likely it is to be associated with masculinity, stimulating activity, and dazzling strength. In contrast, when the red is darker then it is likely to be associated with femininity, secrecy, and the mystery of life.

Bright red is also known to symbolise generosity, ambition and affection. Dark red can indicate courage, deep passion, hatred and anger, a reddish brown shows sensuality, and a cloudy red can point towards greed and cruelty.

Healing Qualities:

As red brings warmth, energy and stimulation, it is good for energy, and to reverse fatigue, colds, chilly and passive people.

Red stimulates low blood pressure and boosts sluggish circulation. On the negative of that, Red should not be used on anyone as a treatment for hypertension or high blood pressure since this colour increases blood flow. A softer Pink may be used instead in such cases to get a gentler side of the red benefits.

It energizes all organs and the senses, increasing sexual desire and activity and stimulates ovulation and menstruation. Never treat cancer with red, because it is believed this colour will stimulate cell growth!

People who have a preference for red: May crave or have passionate love, sex, great energy, impulses, action and stimulation, assertiveness and aggression, courage, strength and power, adventure, and danger. They may be temperamental and ambitious people with a need for personal freedom.

People who have an Aversion to red: may be over-active, too impulsive, hot-tempered, aggressive and egocentric, or have difficulties with people with these characteristics. It can also symbolize deeply hidden fears and rejection of their own assertiveness.

How to use:

Using colours well in the home is a way of creating a balanced environment.

Red is energising and excites the emotions, and can stimulate the appetite, used well, red and its variations, can make a space feel warm and cosy.

You can wear red to feel more energised, confident and courageous. It has been said to wear red to a job interview to show leadership and confidence, but don’t overdo it as your interviewer may have an aversion to the colour red, so something subtle like a tie or scarf would be a good touch.

Once you know all the emotional qualities of each colour, you can use colours together to tone down the aggressiveness of red. For example with a healing green, which is complimentary to red on the colour wheel.

We are going to work our way across the rainbow at 10am each day, so we will be talking about Orange tomorrow. See you then.

Emotional Qualities of Red in Art Therapy

Hi everyone, this live is following on from the Intro to Art Therapy video live I did yesterday, this is the second in the series. This is about the emotional qualities of the colour red,

Intro:

Red is the lowest and longest wavelength of the seven colours in the visible spectrum otherwise known as a rainbow and is known as a “warm” colour.

It is known as the colour of blood and fire and is regarded universally as representing life-force and energy.

In both Eastern and Western culture, the colour red has long been associated with heat, passion, and intensity.

It is therefore an invigorating colour that stimulates, rather than calms. It elicits our inner desires, instead of subduing them.

Red has long been associated with the emotions of anger and rage (“seeing red” is a statement we make when we are angry), but also relates to our sense of strength, desire, passion, and vitality.

When we use red, we are using a powerful colour that expresses these elements within us. It is very much a take action colour.

Positive and negative:

In its most positive sense, Red is the colour for courage, vitality, strength and pioneering spirit.

However, in it’s negative, it is the colour of anger, violence, aggressiveness, conquest, brutality and, interestingly, before world war two it was noted that a lot of red was being worn.

When the colour red is predominant in a client’s art work in art therapy, it is important to put it in context with the art work’s theme and other symbols, then we determine whether the use of this colour is to communicate a negative concept, or a positive one.

For example, the picture could be of a love heart and two happy people, or it could be of an angry red face. Because there are so many possible meanings, it is important to talk to a client and find out what is going on in their life.

If we find that the theme is positive, we can then explore the colour red from a positive viewpoint. In this case, based on universal philosophy and mythology, the colour red is said to symbolise for positive:

Harmony and expansiveness

Good fortune and blessing

Intensity and passion

Vast and irresistible strength

Spiritual virtues of love of God

Courage

Leadership qualities

Strong Willed

Confidence

Energetic

Determined

Spontaneous

If we find that the theme is negative, then we need to explore it from that. In this case, based on universal philosophy and mythology, the colour red is said to symbolise:

Powerful taboos, often of a sexual nature

Impurity – in need of cleansing

Lust for power

Hatred

Fury and Anger

Cruelty

Slaughter and Murder

Fearful

Fear of progress

Ruthless

Brutal/Aggressive

Domineering

Resentful

Self Pity

Obstinate

Quick Tempered

For example- If a client was to draw a picture of a parental figure, larger than life and in red, it may mean that they see this person as domineering, or full of big love. It would require further questioning to see if in is a positive or negative use of the colour, what shade of red may be able to give us a clue.

Shades:

Whether the red is a bright or dark provides us with additional insight into the meanings behind the colour as red does come in many shades.

Traditionally, the brighter the red the more likely it is to be associated with masculinity, stimulating activity, and dazzling strength. In contrast, when the red is darker then it is likely to be associated with femininity, secrecy, and the mystery of life.

Bright red is also known to symbolise generosity, ambition and affection. Dark red can indicate courage, deep passion, hatred and anger, a reddish brown shows sensuality, and a cloudy red can point towards greed and cruelty.

Healing Qualities:

As red brings warmth, energy and stimulation, it is good for energy, and to reverse fatigue, colds, chilly and passive people.

Red stimulates low blood pressure and boosts sluggish circulation. On the negative of that, Red should not be used on anyone as a treatment for hypertension or high blood pressure since this colour increases blood flow. A softer Pink may be used instead in such cases to get a gentler side of the red benefits.

It energizes all organs and the senses, increasing sexual desire and activity and stimulates ovulation and menstruation. Never treat cancer with red, because it is believed this colour will stimulate cell growth!

People who have a preference for red: May crave or have passionate love, sex, great energy, impulses, action and stimulation, assertiveness and aggression, courage, strength and power, adventure, and danger. They may be temperamental and ambitious people with a need for personal freedom.

People who have an Aversion to red: may be over-active, too impulsive, hot-tempered, aggressive and egocentric, or have difficulties with people with these characteristics. It can also symbolize deeply hidden fears and rejection of their own assertiveness.

How to use:

Using colours well in the home is a way of creating a balanced environment.

Red is energising and excites the emotions, and can stimulate the appetite, used well, red and its variations, can make a space feel warm and cosy.

You can wear red to feel more energised, confident and courageous. It has been said to wear red to a job interview to show leadership and confidence, but don’t overdo it as your interviewer may have an aversion to the colour red, so something subtle like a tie or scarf would be a good touch.

Once you know all the emotional qualities of each colour, you can use colours together to tone down the aggressiveness of red. For example with a healing green, which is complimentary to red on the colour wheel.

We are going to work our way across the rainbow at 10am each day, so we will be talking about Orange tomorrow. See you then.

Don’t forget that you can always re-watch the video to remember details about the colour  

Intro to Colour Therapy Script for Live

Hi Everyone,

What does your favourite colour say about you?

What colours do you normally gravitate to?

Did you know that your answers can tell you a lot about how you are feeling and what you need in your life?

Would you like to know what the emotional meaning is behind each colour of the rainbow, and even more colours beyond the rainbow?

Colours are all around you.

They’re in the natural world, in the home you live in, your car, the clothes you wear, and the shows you watch.

Colours aren’t just meaningless parts of your environment, either.

They can change the way you feel and react to different situations. Advertisers have been using colours for years to manipulate us to buy from them. Colours are visual clues to our thoughts, emotions and personality.

A colours ability to affect our body, mind and spirit, gives it the power to calm, excite, inspire, balance, bring harmony to our life and heal.

This is Colour Therapy.

Did you know, that all colours have negative and positive emotional meanings?

For example, Red can symbolize Love, but can also be used to show Anger.

What comes up for you when you think of the colour Red?

Did you know, that if you change the shade of a colour, it changes the feelings associated with it? For example, a deep dark red can show passion, and a light red can show an innocent puppy love.

Did you know colours can open a window to our subconscious? Well now you do know, would you like to learn some more?

Colour therapy has been around since at least the time of Ancient Egypt.

Egyptians believed in the power of light and used different colours of light to promote healing. Colour therapy has continued to be important in a lot of cultures.

Even in Western societies that tend to prefer modern, institutionalized medicine, natural healers have continued to use colours to help people improve their physical and emotional health.

Colours affect our mental processes and can change our mood. Each colour has a different effect, so different colours are used for different mental conditions and mood problems.

Therefore Colour therapy is individualized.

What works to help you, might make someone else feel worse.

For example, if you have a lot of anxiety and need to calm down, blue might be a good colour to use.

If someone else were depressed, though, blue wouldn’t be a colour they would use in colour therapy.

It is important to consider the negative as well as the positive for each colour

So who am I? I’m Danielle Chapman.

Before social isolation, I was providing one on one Counselling sessions which I am continuing to do with Zoom, however, my passion was and is running group colour therapy and art therapy workshops that I designed myself.

Since it was recommended to stop these groups, I’ve been working on a way to bring these teachings online, deciding, to start with, a breakdown of my intro to colour therapy workshop into a series of Live videos.

They will teach the emotional qualities of colours and how they can subconsciously make you feel.

These Live videos will teach you to identify your emotions from your subconscious mind and help you to work through them.

Once we can identify feelings we have suppressed, we can acknowledge them and work on being happier.

We could talk about light vibrations, frequencies, auras and chakras, but let’s just talk about the emotional side of colours here, hey?

For example, have you been wearing a lot of black lately?

If so, has your mood been down and bleak?

During these live videos, you will learn how to add a colour to your life for the emotion you would rather be feeling after acknowledging the negative.

The secret is, that to start feeling better and whole, you need to recognize and own how you are feeling, know a strategy to change it, and then use this strategy to feel better.

As an Art Therapist, Colour is always a major consideration.

In a private session I may instruct you to paint with a certain colour that will bring out an issue to help you deal with it.

Or, I may leave the colour to you and simply notice what colours you choose and how you combine the colour with lines.

It can give important insights.

These insights can now be taught to you.

Would you like to learn the emotions behind each colour?

Know what colours you use to achieve your goals?

So, here’s what I will do.

Each day for the next 9 days I will give in depth information for one colour each day.

I will start tomorrow at 1:30pm for the colour ……………. Red.

We will cover Primary colours—Red, Yellow and Blue.

Secondary colours—Purple, Green, Orange.

Also, Pink, Silver and Gold.

It will be a live facebook video and it will be recorded so you can always watch it later if you miss it live.

Once we have completed every colour, you will have the skills to use the principles of colour therapy every day by playing with colour in your surroundings.

If you have problems with feeling tired, or not having enough energy for doing what you love, decorating with the warm, lively colours of red, orange, and yellow can give you a boost.

If you need to feel calmer, cooler colours like Blue’s and Greens will help.

The possibilities are endless once you know how to apply colour therapy.

You will be able to experiment with different colours and light levels to make an environment that’s customized for you.

After we have finished these Lives for each colour I will be complimenting it by offering group zoom Art Therapy classes to teach you how to recognize even deeper emotions you may not know you are feeling.

I will teach you through different exercises how to analyse your art yourself.

You will be one step ahead after watching the colour therapy lives, as you will already be able to see what the colours you have used mean.

Keep in mind, this is Art Therapy in the Zoom groups, not an Art lesson, I will not be teaching you the technical side of how to draw, I will be helping you see the meaning within your drawing.

I will, at a later date be doing Art lessons as well, but for now we will stick to the therapy side through this social isolation time.

Please use the comment section to ask any questions and I will reply after the live.

Don’t forget that you can always re-watch the video to remember details about the colours.