Emotional expression in art: how do artists convey feelings through colors and shapes?

In the world of art, emotion is a key element that can evoke deep feelings and evoke a response in the viewer. Artists, being a kind of emotional architects, use various techniques to embody sensory states in their works and provide viewers with a unique experience. Let's look at how artists use colors and shapes to convey emotions.

From Brush to Heart: How Shapes and Textures Convey Emotion in Art

“We are looking for our own vision of the world, and in our vision of the world there is a place for feelings, passions, distortions.” - Edvard Munch

 

 

There are many techniques with which artists embody emotional states and convey them to the audience. Some of them:

  • Color selection. Color is one of the most powerful means of expressing emotion in painting. Each color has its own symbolic and psychological meaning, which can evoke different associations and feelings in the viewer. For example, red can mean passion, love, aggression, danger; blue color can mean calm, sadness, cold; yellow color can mean joy, light, warmth, etc. Artists can use color both to create realistic images and to create abstract compositions in which color itself is the object of expression.
  • Use of line and shape. Line and shape are also important elements of painting that can convey the artist's emotions. The line can be straight, curved, thick, thin, solid, broken, etc. The shape can be geometric, organic, symmetrical, asymmetrical, etc. Artists can use line and shape to create volume and perspective as well as to create rhythm and dynamics. For example, a straight line can mean stability, order, strength; a curved line can mean movement, flexibility, grace; a round shape can mean integrity, harmony, life; the acute form can mean conflict, tension, destruction, etc.
  • Expressionism. Expressionism is a movement in the art of the 20th century, which is characterized by the rejection of a realistic depiction of reality and the desire to express the subjective emotions and experiences of the artist. Expressionists used distorted lines, contrasting colors, abstract shapes, exaggeration and simplification to create a shocking effect on the viewer and convey their vision of the world. Expressionism was inspired by the works of El Greco, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Munch and other masters who also strived for emotional expression in their works.

In conclusion, we see that artists have a variety of techniques to embody emotional states and convey them to viewers. The choice of color, the use of line and form, and expressionism all become tools that allow artists to express their feelings and thoughts. Color is a language that easily communicates with us on an emotional level, line and form create visual rhythm and dynamics, and expressionism becomes a bridge between the artist’s inner world and the viewer’s external perception. Each artistic technique is designed not only to convey the image, but also to put a piece of the soul into it, making art a continuous source of emotional inspiration for us, the audience.

The Magic of Colors: How Artists Create the Magic of Emotional Expression

“The artist is not the one who sees, but the one who makes visible.” - Paul Klee

 

 

Expressionism, translated literally as "expression", is a fascinating phenomenon in the history of European painting. Originating during the period of modernism, it reached its highest development in the first decades of the 20th century, mainly in Germany and Austria. Instead of striving for a literal reproduction of reality, expressionism strives to convey the emotional state of the artist.

The German expressionists saw their predecessors as the post-impressionists, who at the end of the 19th century moved from the reproduction of reality to the expression of their own subjective states. The works of great artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch and James Ensor are full of drama and emotional intensity.

In 1905, German Expressionism took shape in the "Bridge" group, which rebelled against the superficial approach of the Impressionists. They sought to return to German art the lost spiritual dimension and diversity of meanings. Their simplified aesthetic vocabulary was often influenced by the arts of Grunewald, Altdorfer, and even the peoples of Africa.

Expressionists expressed their feelings of irritation, disgust, anxiety and frustration through angular, distorted lines, quick brush strokes and bright colors. They preferred contrasting colors to enhance the impact on the viewer. Ordinary scenes of city life became rich with emotions under their brush.

A few years later, expressionist artists formed new groups, such as the New Secession and the Blue Rider. However, as stability became established in the Weimar Republic, their ideals and complex language became irrelevant. When Hitler came to power in 1933, expressionism was declared “degenerate art.”

However, individual artists continued to create within the framework of expressionism even after the ban. Masters such as Oskar Kokoschka and Egon Schiele maintained the characteristic features of the style. Interest in expressionism was only revived in the late 1970s, and only Oskar Kokoschka survived this period and gained renewed attention for his art.

Expressionism: A Bridge Between Emotions and Art

“For me, art is a way to express my inner conflicts and emotions, even if they seem uncomfortable and alien.” - Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

 


Expressionism initially developed in painting and literature, and then spread to other forms of art, including architecture, theater, music and film. It became a bridge between symbolism, which emphasized the inner world and symbolic images, and abstract art, which focused on abstract forms and ideas. In contrast to these movements, expressionism stood out for its extreme emotionality.

Main Characteristics of Expressionism:

1) Emotionality and passion. The main feature of expressionism is the author’s desire to express his vision of events and objects, focusing on emotions and passions. Expression and extreme emotionality, evoked by themes of fear, pain, horror and other passions, are the distinctive characteristics of the works of the Expressionists.

2) Deformation and deformity. Expressionists often used deformation and exaggerated ugliness as a means of conveying the inner state of a person and his environment. Distorted, elongated or aggressive forms became symbols of internal conflicts and mental anguish.

3) Color palette. Color in expressionism becomes a means of conveying mood and feelings. Artists often resort to rich and vibrant colors, such as fierce red, to emphasize the emotional intensity of their works and shock the viewer. Rough brushstrokes help create additional emotional shades and enhance the impression of the painting.

4) Subjectivity and introspection. Expressionism focuses on introspection and the subjective experience of the artist. The focus of the expressionists' work is on inner experiences, their own feelings and thoughts. The artistic expression of the artist's feelings and emotions is the goal of creating works of this direction.

As a result, the characteristics of expressionism are built into a unique art code, where emotionality, passion and the desire to express inner experiences are key elements. The deformation and ugliness used by artists of this movement become vivid symbols of internal conflicts and mental anguish, designed to provoke a reaction and immerse the viewer in the world of artistic expression.

The color palette, with rich and vibrant shades, plays the role of a language through which emotional tension and shock are conveyed, immersing the viewer in an unusual world of perception. Subjectivity and introspection become fundamental principles revolving around the artist's inner experiences, creating works filled with feelings and thoughts.

Expressionism is the art of self-expression, where each canvas becomes a revelation of the author's inner world. This movement not only conveys emotion, but also invites the viewer to immerse itself in an intense world of artistic expression and, perhaps, on an exhilarating journey within oneself.

Famous Expressionist Artists

“In each of us there is a secret sparkling place that awakens at the moment of creativity.” - Franz Marc

 

The fate of the best representatives of expressionism developed differently. Some of them achieved recognition during their lifetime and lived to a prosperous old age, others were unable to survive the catastrophic events of the First World War and went to a better world early. Among the many figures worthy of separate consideration, we will highlight only a few, in our opinion, the most famous names:

Edvard Munch. "Scream", 1893

 

Edvard Munch is, without exaggeration, a true symbol of expressionism. His painting “The Scream” is easily recognizable and extremely popular among viewers. One of four versions of the creation by the great Norwegian was sold at Sotheby's auction for $119.9 million. The master’s legacy was appreciated not only by the expressionists, but also by our contemporaries. Munch gravitated towards expressionism at an early stage of his creativity. Most of his paintings in this style were painted before 1908. The naturally weak artist miraculously did not die from the Spanish flu; towards the end of his life he experienced serious health problems and almost stopped painting, but lived to see his 80th birthday.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, "Potsdamer Platz in Berlin", 1914

 

Ludwig Kirchner is the founder of a new movement in fine art. His works are characterized by amazing dramatic tension. In his work, the German artist often turned to the genre of urban landscape and was an unsurpassed master of the grotesque. With the Nazis coming to power, he was subjected to devastating criticism, his paintings were removed from museums, and some of his works were demonstrably destroyed. Deeply depressed, Kirchner became addicted to drugs and committed suicide at the age of 58.

August Macke, Russian Ballet, 1912

 

August Macke is a man who lived a bright but short life. He was an active member of the Blue Rider group, easily attracted to new ideas, and painted paintings full of healthy life. With the outbreak of the First World War, on a wave of patriotism, he volunteered to join the active army. He died at the front at the end of September 1914 at the age of 27. His body was not found on the battlefield, Macke's name is immortalized on the tombstone of one of the military cemeteries

Amedeo Modigliani, "Portrait of Margherita", 1916

 

Amedeo Modigliani is a famous master of portraits and nudes. Born in Italy, but lived most of his adult life in France. Modigliani's work cannot be unambiguously attributed to a specific direction of painting, but bright expressionist motifs are clearly visible in many works. He achieved recognition during his lifetime, enjoyed success at exhibitions, but died suddenly of tuberculosis at the age of 35.

Egon Schiele, "Family", 1918

 

Egon Schiele is an Austrian master of painting and drawing. His works are vivid examples of disharmony and challenge to society. He painted a lot of nudes and portraits, and wrote poetry. The young man was patronized by Gustav Klimt. Schiele was even considered at one time the largest Austrian artist. But fate decreed otherwise. At the end of October 1918, his wife died of the Spanish flu, and three days later the artist himself passed away.

In the art of emotional expression, artists act as translators of feelings, using colors and shapes as a language that communicates with viewers on an emotional level. Every brush, every color and every shape in their works carries a deep meaning, opening up new perspectives for those who are ready to succumb to the magic of art.

Welcome to our exciting catalog of art. Here you can get acquainted with the wonderful world of works of art, where each painting carries its own uniqueness and history. Our catalog offers a variety of styles, themes and techniques to satisfy the most sophisticated tastes.

Back to blog