The Language of Colour: How I Paint Emotion

I experience life in bright, unapologetic colour. In my studio, colour is not an afterthought; it’s the first conversation. Before I touch a brush, I decide how I want you to feel when you stand in front of the work—calm, ignited, grounded, expanded—and I build a palette that carries you there.

Why colour matters more than you think

Colour is energy. It can soften the shoulders, quicken the heartbeat, or invite a long, deep breath. When you fall in love with a painting, you’re often responding to colour before your mind catches up. That first “yes” you feel? It’s the palette doing its job.

My palette philosophy

1. Emotion first. I start with a feeling, not a subject. The palette must serve the feeling.

2. Contrast creates clarity. High contrast energises; low contrast soothes.

3. Texture is a second hue. Thick texture catches light, creating highlights that read like an added colour layer.

4. Leave room to breathe. Neutrals and negative space let bold colours sing rather than shout.

What colours often say (and how I use them)

• Red: Courage, passion, momentum. I use red sparingly as a pulse—one bold gesture can move the entire piece forward.

• Magenta / Fuchsia: Joy with backbone. It’s playful yet powerful; I layer it over textured grounds for a luminous lift.

• Orange: Optimism and social warmth. A great bridge between passionate reds and hopeful yellows.

• Yellow: Light, possibility, and “yes.” I glaze yellows thinly to create a glow that feels like sunlight from within.

• Green: Renewal and grounded growth. Cooler greens calm; warm, olive tones feel intimate and sophisticated.

• Blue: Depth, reflection, devotion. Ultramarine brings drama; cobalt feels open and fresh; soft blue-greys create serenity.

• Turquoise / Teal: Emotional clarity. I reach for these when I want a horizon line without painting one.

• Violet: Mystery and introspection. I often tuck violet into shadow to add quiet intelligence to the work.

• Neutrals (white, bone, charcoal): The pause between breaths. Neutrals hold the composition together and make brights feel intentional.

Temperature, value, and why they change everything

• Temperature (warm vs cool): Warm palettes come toward you; cool palettes recede. I’ll often warm the centre and cool the edges to create subtle movement without obvious lines.

• Value (light vs dark): Light values expand space; dark values add weight and drama. If you want a room to feel larger, favour mid-to-light values with one decisive dark to anchor the eye.

• Chroma (intensity): A single vivid accent against a field of softened tones reads more luxurious than a wall of pure brights.

Texture: when light becomes your collaborator

My work is known for sculptural texture. Those ridges and peaks are deliberate—they capture light at different angles across the day. In morning light, a painting may whisper. At golden hour, it sings. Texture turns a static canvas into a living surface.

Collector tip: If you love texture, place the piece where light moves—near a window, across from a doorway, or under a dimmable spotlight. You’ll get multiple moods from one work.

How to choose the right palette for your space

• Bedroom: Soft blues, gentle greens, layered neutrals—palettes that lower heart rate and invite rest.

• Living / Entertaining: Warm undertones, energising contrasts, a confident accent (carmine, saffron, teal) to spark conversation.

• Workspace / Studio: Mid-tone blues, fresh greens, and clean whites for focus; add a small dash of orange to encourage creative risk-taking.

• Statement walls: High-contrast or high-texture pieces hold their own; keep adjacent decor quieter to let the art lead.

Pairing colour with interiors—without being “matchy”

Rather than matching a single cushion, echo undertones across the room: the warm bone of your travertine, the cool charcoal in a rug, the brushed brass of hardware. When the painting shares an undertone with these materials, it belongs—no perfect match required.

Lighting that loves colour

• Warm White - flatters reds, oranges, and golds.

• Neutral Warm - keeps blues and greens honest while still feeling inviting.

• Dimmable spots at a 30–45° angle minimise glare and reveal texture.

• Avoid UV and harsh direct sun to preserve pigments and varnish.

Commissioning a palette that’s “yours”

Many of my collectors commission pieces built around a personal colour story—heritage, a memory, a landscape that changed them. We begin with three simple questions:

1. How do you want to feel in this room?

2. What light does the space get across the day?

3. Which colours do you never tire of seeing together?

From there, I design a palette and texture language that belongs to you and your home, not to trends.