Meaning of “Red” and “Orange” in Paintings and in our Lives

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Understanding the meaning of “red”and “orange” in our lives (and our paintings) will help us plan our next work.

Here are some inspiring summer color palettes my garden.

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Meaning of “Red” and “Orange” in our Lives (and Paintings): The meanings of Red

Red is the color of Energy and  Passion 

• Warm and powerful best describe red.
• Historically, red is the color of fire and blood,
  • and the color of extremes:
  • passion, and love versus
  • revenge, violence, danger, adventure and anger.
• Red relates more to passion, sexual energy and lust,
  • while pink is the color associated with love. 
  • Stimulates appetite and increases craving.
• However, too much red around us can result in irritation or anger.
• Conversely, too little red induces cautiousness and fear.

Global associations of Red

Red remains

• one of the two top favorite colors of all people worldwide.
• the most used color on flags
• the international color for “stop”
• a magical and religious color

In India, red means purity. 

China believes that red is the color of good luck.

Red Districts sell pornography is all European cultures.

Using Red in Paintings

Here are some beautiful examples of watercolors by Alvaro Castagnet using reds.

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The value of red is quite dark.

• Beginning painters get confused think that red is lighter in value than it is.
  • Maybe this is because it is a saturated color.
• The colors the surround red determine how the red appears.
  • For instance, red placed beside a deep dark, seems to glow.
  • However, the same red on a white background appears dull.
  • Painted beside orange, red appears less lively.
• In addition, red commands attention. 
• Therefore, often a little red goes a long way.

Furthermore, you are extroverted, confident, and optimistic if you love red.

Read here to learn other attributes of personality associated with red.

Meaning of “Red” and “Orange” in our Lives (and Paintings): The meanings of Orange

Orange is the color of Adventure and Social Communication.

• Vibrant and warm, orange is associated with happiness, energy, vitality, cheer, excitement, adventure and good health.
• Usually people either love or detest orange.
• Darker (spicy and earthy) oranges suggest comfort.
• Lighter oranges tend to be soothing and healthy.
• While orange around a kitchen table inspires conversation.
• Restaurants decorate with pastel oranges such as peach or apricot or deeper terracottas.
• Quieter than red, orange also stimulates appetite and conversation.

Global associations of orange:

Orange suggests

• the taste of healthy fruit and good health
• autumn
• warning
• For example, orange is the color of life rafts, hazard signs and hunter’s vests.

Using orange in paintings

Some of these examples are oil paintings.

Look at how orange creates these beautiful color schemes.

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• Monet used orange in his sunsets.
• Taulouse-Latrec’s oranges add energy to his dancers.
• Look at the dynamic complimentary orange and blue color scheme.

You are warm, optimistic, extraverted, even flamboyant, if orange is your favorite color.

My favorite red and orange watercolors

Reds from top down: Blockx Red (or Winsor Red), M Graham Napthol Red, Holbein Cadmium Red Light, Daniel Smith Organic Vermillion, and Holbein Vermillion.

Oranges from left to right: Holbein Cadmium Yellow Orange, Schmincke Translucent Orange, Blockx Permanent Orange, Daniel Smith Pyrrol Orange.

In addition, read this, If you want to learn more about your “orange” personality.

Further color information (with garden references) is here.

Other colors will be added to this series soon.