The Use of Colour in Two Works by John Pawson - Essay Example

Colour use comparison between two works by John Pawson Outline I. Introduction Pawson’s fascinating and attractive designs have prompted him to be a renowned interior designer in London. This is due to his incomparable skill in combining colours with the intention bringing out clarity, simplicity and purity aspects, which are contrary to numerous works currently produced by interior designers Thesis: This study seeks to present a deep analysis of his two works labelled as Figures 1 and 2. II. Body Designer one analysis i. The use of saturation contrast to bring out aspects of clarity, purity and simplicity ii. Use of Hues and their respective analysis They included blue colour and dark green colour iii. Illumination in the design and its source Artificial light from the bottom bulbs for ground illuminations Probably natural light at the background iv. Varying of design’s colours’ intensities v. Spatial effect and other aspects like depth vi. Creation of harmony vii. Intentions of Pawson by painting this design Design two analysis i. Use of Light-Dark Contrast saturation ii. Use of colours and rays from the ceiling iii. Blurred illumination from the ceiling and its source Natural illumination iv. Extent of intensity v. Spatial effect and other aspects like depth Roomy effect vi. Varying of hues and their intensities to achieve harmony vii. Intention of Pawson Contrast and Comparison of two paintings i. Use of colours and types ii. spatial effects iii. mode of illuminations iv. creation of depth using colours’ variations III. Conclusion Colour use irrespective of the surface the painter may manipulate it to achieve his or her goals. This is evident in the two analyzed Pawson’s works whereby despite being different have successfully managed to bring out his key aspects of purity, clarity and simplicity. Introduction Pawson’s fascinating and attractive designs have prompted him to be a renowned interior designer in London. This is due to his incomparable skill in combining colours with the intention bringing out clarity, simplicity and purity aspects, which are contrary to numerous works currently produced by interior designers. The key aspect characterizing all his works encompass decongestion of objects coupled with the use of combination of pure, intense, dull and diluted hues. Hence, this has created a remarkable niche in the market that has prompted him to have a large pool of clientele currently. This study seeks to present a deep analysis of his two works labelled as Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1: John Pawson’s Design One. Viewed on 25Th February 2014. Available at: Pawson in this work has extensively utilized saturation contrast to bring out pure and clear view evident in the perfect integration of central scenery or space, with tall blue walls and the sky. The central clearing acting a walking space comprise dark green hue to contrast with both centrally placed table like block and the rest of the building structure, which in light blue from the ground upwards. This is evident in the colour of pillars whose extent intensity increases with height, hence inducing colours purity and clarity mostly achieved by employing contrasting between pure, intense and diluted hues. In this case, Pawson utilizes ground illuminations on both sides of the wall as artificial light meant to bring blue colour’s variance from bottom upwards. Saturation contrast is also evident at the end of the building, which seems as if it is the main entrance though there is a background white illumination from the rear of the building giving an implication of natural light or other outside powerful source. The designer has also utilized the aspect of value whereby the dark central part, highly illuminated rear region and blue walls shifts viewers’ eyes towards central back area. Pawson by varying intensities of varied regions’ colours has created significant spatial effects that trick both the mind and eye of the viewer. For instance, use of blue colour induces the effect of contrast (recede) or moving away from the viewer thus creating depth because it is a cool hue contrary to warm colours. In addition, the darker green colour used for floor makes the entire view appear wider and spacious, which is one unique trick used by Pawson that characterizes all his works. Based on his argument, he intends to make all designs appear simple and clear instead of clustering many items together. In addition, he also induced the effect of atmospheric perspective by making areas at the foreground bear heightened hues centrally to the background. For instance, both walls and upper side whereby their respective hues’ intensity fade as viewers’ eyes shifts from forefront section along the long dark green floor until to the main entrance. The designer unique mode of using saturation contrast brings out the aspect of harmony, for instance, walls and upper side same colours. By varying intensity of blue colour from lighter to dull and then eventually strong shade creates harmonious appearance such that they are not clashing in anyway. In addition, by selectively choosing dark green colour induces the aspect of nature in the building thus representing evergreen, well-trimmed and catered lawn. Through this design work, Pawson intended to induce the aspect of purity and nature despite the entire place seeming to be inside a building. Hence, ensure comfort of those who would stay inside either doing business or residing there to feel next to the nature. This is by tricking both mind and viewers’ eyes through use of cool colours. In addition, he also intended to induce the aspect of clarity by not making varied objects comprising the entire building seem to be too congested, which could have been the case if he used warm colours. Figure 2: John Pawson’s Design Two. Viewed on 25Th February 2014. Available at: In this work, the painter has extensively utilized Light-Dark Contrast thus inducing the aspect of depth, purity and clarity of the entire building. This is evident in the way he varies integration of both light and dark hues with inclusion some rays though the latter have not created any shadows. The inclusion of rays without any shadows induces the effect of a natural day characterized by clear sky with scattered clouds though no indication of any sunlight. In addition, saturation contrast in this design has made it appear too shine especially both the floor and some parts of the pillars close to the bottom. Hence, creating depth evident in the way the shining floor gives a reflection of left side pillars and blurred illumination from the ceiling. However, he has skilfully contrasted smoothness of the central circular block having an opening on the right side with that of floor. Based on this design, the extent of intensity of black and white colours varies across places whereby those behind pillars seem too dark. This is because they are hidden from the source of blurred illumination through the ceiling. Probably, this is natural light from the sun such that during the day and when sky I bright there is no need artificial lighting from inside especially in this particular shown section of the building. By observing keenly, it is evident the colour intensity increases from the upward towards the floor, which is contrary to the design one image. Similar to the first image, the designer has skilfully utilized cool colours to induce aspects of clarity and purity. By using light and bright colours in painting floor as well as walls, Pawson induces the spatial of “roomy effect”. Hence, the inside of this building with the aid of the light from the ceiling exposes large spaces in all levels, which are foreground, middle ground and rear areas. The creation large spaces in both fore and middle grounds the designer has utilized the effect of shininess. This is to create a reflection of both incoming blurred light from the ceiling and pillars on the left whose array from the front side towards the back. In the back ground level, Pawson in creating both depth and roomy effect increased the intensity of colour to black colour. Hence, implying inner regions are unable of receiving adequate illumination from the blurred light coming straight through the ceiling. Effective and considerable varying of hues in this image has successfully ensured harmony, which is evident in the way they are not strikingly contrasting except in the inner regions where blurred illumination is hard to reach. Hence, enabling Pawson achieve his goal of making inside of this building roomy, pure and simple. Simple in this case implies the room is not that congested evident in the way there are reflections on the floor showing complete array of left side pillars. In addition, Pawson intended to ensure each object in this design did not overlap with each other as confirmed by the central circular object having the shape of a concrete tank. Contrast and Comparison of two paintings These two paintings despite each presenting different inner rooms, their hues were cool. Hence, enabling the Pawson maintain his unique market niche of producing images, which simple characterized by both clarity and simplicity. For instance, in both designs colours have prompted them to seem not congested as compared if the designer utilized warm or colours that had sharp/piercing effect. Based on spatial effects created in these designs, they differed significantly. Design one Pawson by use of blue colours with varying intensity created a spatial effect of receding specifically aiming at tricking viewer’s eyes in shifting them from the foreground to the back region. Hence, create the aspect of depth, which is also evident in the second design whereby the designer utilizes colour to create depth. Therefore, cool colours used in these images besides inducing aspects of purity, clarity and simplicity, Pawson utilized them to make induce the effect of space. There was difference in terms of illuminating and where it originated. In design one, the sources of illumination were both natural and artificial, which played an essential role in varying intensities of blue colour used on walls and sky. Illumination originated from the bottom of the walls and rear side whereby the latter was probably a natural source. Conversely, designer two’s illumination based on the sizes of allowances made in the ceiling, this was natural sunlight filtered using a translucent material such that it will not create shadows on the floor. In addition, the use of colour in the second design especially in the floor was specifically create a shiny surfaces that would reflect arrayed pillars on the left, hence create both depth and roomy effect both in the middle ground and foreground, hence giving an implication the circular object in the middle was one entity with the rear wall. Conversely, the dark green was purposely meant to guide viewers’ eyes from the forefront area towards the centrally placed object resembling a table, which is depth. Hence, show the length of the building by use assuming the colour of a well trimmed grass lawn besides harmony of the entire building in the way designer has integrated respective colours. Conclusion Colour use irrespective of the surface the painter may manipulate it to achieve his or her goals. This is evident in the two analyzed Pawson’s works whereby despite being different have successfully managed to bring out his key aspects of purity, clarity and simplicity. These are the essential goals which Pawson when painting aims at achieving that have prompted him manage to have large pool of clients in UK market. Based on these designs, it is evident this particular designer utilizes cool colours to induce the aspects of depth as well as spatial effect of roomy or space. Hence, manage to trick both minds and eyes of his viewers the area is quite spacious and comfortable. References Johannes Itten Colour: The 12-hue colour circle. Viewed 25Th February 2014. Available at: Read More