The Non-Colors and Metallics: All About Color, Part III

Gray scale in five steps, from black to white

Technically, black is not a color, but rather the absence of color. If we are talking about light, there isn't any. (For more background, see All About Color Part I and Part II.) If we refer to pigment, black has absorbed all the colors. Theoretically, if you want to make black pigment, you can do so by combining the 3 primary colors, the 3 secondary colors, or the 6 tertiary colors in the right proportions. Most of us just buy the black materials.

Raven sculpture from J.D.'s collection

Culturally, black has been handicapped by negative connotations, particularly in Western cultures. It is associated with death and mourning, When I was a child, people still placed black mourning wreaths on the doors of homes where someone had died. In old Western movies, the "good guys" could always be identified by their white hats, while the "bad guys" wore black hats. In some cultures, black cats, dogs, and birds like crows and ravens were messengers of disaster. Black signifies night, the unknown, mystery and intrigue. We talk about "black moods" caused by depression or suppressed anger. "Black magic" indicates witchcraft. A "black mark" against us is harmful to our reputations. Even when opinions and customs change, such expressions linger in the language.

Ancient Egyptian painting (public domain)

Ancient Egyptian agriculture

On the other hand, the "little black dress" is the height of fashion — sophisticated (and slimming). Black satin, velvet. and lace are romantic fabrics. If we are out of debt, we are "in the black". Black automobiles and other vehicles are extremely popular. A black tuxedo evokes elegance and important occasions. Black print is still the easiest to read. (Please take note, manufacturers of who think printing contents and directions in pale yellow on light blue is even slightly effective!) I think the ancient Egyptians had the right idea. They celebrated black. It was the color of the soil in the Nile delta, which gave them life, health, and prosperity. Black is indeed beautiful.

Annake's "Red, Red Rose" needlepoint, in progress

A black background makes other colors in a composition appear lighter, and brighter, making them appear to advance toward the viewer. Artists who made good use of this effect were the Dutch still life painters who painted large, fanciful floral bouquets against deep black backgrounds. I like using the technique in needlepoint.

Wrought iron wine rack

Black does not "clash" with colors. This makes it great for trimming, framing, hanging, etc. It is a mainstay in many kinds of needlework I use black back-stitching in all sorts of needlework and make many samples of blackwork diaper patterns (for instance, see this post or this one.) Wrought iron furniture and accessories can be used indoors just as well as on patios.

White light is the presence of all colors. White pigment is the absence of all colors. It is useful for all sorts of backgrounds, from paper, canvas, and walls to picture frames and mats. White wicker furniture is also fashionable indoors as well as outdoors. White garments are associated with celebrations — weddings, christenings, graduations, etc. White statuary and ceramics are elegant. Many kinds of needlework are done on white canvas or linens. Colors appear darker on white than they do on other colors. The colors that we call black and white are often just very dark or very light values of primary, secondary, or tertiary colors.

In Western cultures, white symbolizes innocence, from a baby's christening dress to a bride's gown. But in many Asian and some African countries, white is the color of mourning. A white flag is the signal for surrender; a white feather, a sign of cowardice. A frightened person is "white as a sheet". To cover up something unsavory, we "whitewash" it. Again, we usually buy white fabric, paint, or yarn instead of trying to bleach the raw materials.

Begin with black and gradually add white and you get gray. Begin with white and add black to it gradually and you get gray. "True" gray is 50% black and 50% white. "Cool" grays have a bluish or greenish tint. "Warm" grays have a reddish or yellowish tint.

Cool gray vs. warm gray

"Barred Owl", print by Annake

Gray also has negative connotations — gray skies, gray hair, gray clouds, ashes, lead. We talk of "gray areas" where there is confusion and inactivity and problems often don't get solved. It is considered a dull or depressing color. In Nature, however, gray is a color that camouflages and supports gray wolves and whales, elephants, tree bark, fur, feathers — and on and on.

"Snow Leopard", print by Annake

An art instructor in a class I took in Panama called me a "color freak" and said that if something didn't have color in it that I didn't want to look at it. How wrong she was! Most of my serious artwork is done in #2 pencil, grades of graphite, charcoal, pastels, diluted ink, ashes — anything that gives me the effect that I desire. To me, gray is the color of structure — the contours of flesh and muscle, the bones beneath the skin — and of surfaces — the softness of fur, sleekness of feathers, coarseness of bristles, roughness of scales, sharpness of spines. Gray is the most tactile color I know.

You certainly don't need color to recognize the message in The Tiger Vanishes.

Poinsettias in gold and silver

Finally, I would like to say something about metallics. This might refer to metal objects used to decorate a room, frames or hangers for artworks, objects grouped for a still life painting or photograph — even to the settings for jewelry. But they also refer to metallic thread or floss, fabric, trimming, foils and paint. The first working of metals is usually credited to the ancient Middle East. Ancient cultures in that area, Egypt, and areas in and around the Aegean Sea used gold, silver, copper and bronze.

Pre-Columbian 24k Inca gold

Gold is a warm, shiny color. Gold (or gold-colored) ribbon, thread, rick-rack, beads, foil, etc., can enhance many kinds of compositions. In painting, golden objects have bright yellow highlights and darker yellow or orange overtones. Remember that objects — particularly shiny, reflective ones — cast shadows in their complementary colors. Therefore, a golden object will have a violet or blue-violet tinted shadow. Pure gold is very soft. My husband brought home a gold charm from the Orient. I was surprised and disappointed to find out how soft it was and how little handling it took to blur its features. In order to be used for coins and jewelry the gold must be alloyed with a harder metal, usually silver. Pure gold is designated 24 k (karat); most jewelry is 14k to 18k.

Hammered copper pot

Copper is a very warm-colored metal with reddish and orange overtones. It was produced by smelting about 8,700 years ago in what is now Serbia, and is one of the most versatile metals. I like copper pots for decorating and copper wire for embellishments. Copper's shadows should contain blue or blue-green tones.

Cast bronze belt buckle

Bronze is an alloy of copper, tin, and occasionally other elements. It has many commercial uses. Artistically, it is very popular for casting large statues, smaller figurines, and trophies. Remember that Olympic medals are awarded in gold, silver, and bronze. Bronze was widely used in the Near East and the Aegean civilizations, gradually spreading as far as Scandinavia by about 2,300 BC (BCE). It was such a popular metal in Europe from at least 2,800 BC (BCE), to 1,200 BC (BCE), that this period was called the Bronze Age.

Brass insignia (US Army)

Brass is essentially an alloy of copper and zinc, widely used in some kinds of musical instruments. Although it is used less frequently for jewelry and designer items, it is also warm. Brass can take a fairly high polish, but when it is placed next to gold. the difference becomes obvious. Its use as uniform buttons for military and police officers has led to the nickname for higher officials — who have more insignia and braid on their uniforms — to be referred to collectively as "the Brass". I use brass buttons occasionally for decorative purposes.

Silver concho

Silver is cool and shiny; it is widely used in jewelry, serving utensils, coinage and medals. Silver buttons and trims of various kinds can be used on garments or needlework. One art form in which gold and silver foil (very thin sheets) are used, and copper foil is becoming popular, is scratchboard. A picture or design is incised in very fine lines on the foil so that a black background shows through. A heavier copper foil can be used in embossing. The foil is placed over a mold of fairly hard material and then pressed over the mold with an embossing tool. All kinds of foil, including the decorative ones used by florists, can be used in collages.

Pewter tankard

Pewter is made of tin and lead. It was used widely in dishes until the toxicity of lead was realized. I love the soft look of it, only slightly reflective. Look at this pewter tankard. Think of the challenge in portraying it accurately with graphite and pastels.

Embrace the non-colors!