The Power of Colour: How We Feel What We See

Have you ever noticed how some colours just feel right? Maybe a soft blue instantly calms you, or a burst of orange makes you feel alive again. We all respond to colour, often without realising it. As an artist, I see this every time I exhibit my work; people are drawn to certain paintings almost instinctively, and it’s usually the colours that pull them in first.

Over time, those conversations have taught me something simple but profound: colour has power. It speaks to us on an emotional level, often more directly than words can.

The language of colour

Colour has its own kind of language, one that bypasses logic and goes straight to feeling. I’ve always felt a strong connection to colour, both on the canvas and in everyday life. It’s not something I overthink; it’s instinctive.

At exhibitions, I love watching how people react to my paintings. Some walk straight up to a piece as if it’s calling them. Others linger quietly, their faces softening as they take it in. The connection is immediate, and it’s rarely about the subject matter. It’s the colours that start the conversation.

The pull of turquoise

If I had to name one colour that feels like “home” to me, it would be turquoise. Somehow, it finds its way into a lot of my work, and often into what I’m wearing too. I’ll look down mid-painting and laugh when I realise my jumper matches the canvas.

Turquoise has this beautiful balance that I never get tired of. It’s both calm and energising, fresh yet grounding. It reminds me of the Tasmanian sea on a clear day, cool, deep, alive. When I paint with it, it feels like breathing space.

How we respond to colour

I’ve noticed a fascinating pattern when people view my work. Some are instantly drawn to the deep blues and turquoise tones; they’ll stand taller, their faces light up, as if those colours recharge them. Others are pulled toward the softer beach tones: warm sands, gentle greys, pale blues. You can almost see the calm settle over them as they look.

I think we all have an intuitive sense of what colours we need in a moment. Some lift us when we’re tired; others soothe us when life feels too fast. Colour works quietly, but powerfully, tuning in to where we are emotionally.

The healing side of colour

I’ve come to believe that colour is deeply healing. It can shift how we feel, even in small ways, like a deep breath for the eyes. In my paintings, the subject might draw someone in, but it’s often the colour that stays with them.

A painting filled with movement and cool blues might energise one person, while another finds calm in the same tones. That’s what I love about colour, it meets you where you are. It connects directly with emotion, bypassing all the noise.

A quiet kind of magic

The world of colour is endlessly fascinating to me. It’s more than visual, it’s emotional, even spiritual. Every painting I make is a small experiment in harmony, trying to create balance between vibrancy and peace.

When a collector tells me that a painting makes them feel calm, happy, or just more at ease in their space, I know the colours have done their work.

So next time you find yourself drawn to a particular shade, in art, in nature, or even in your clothes, pause for a moment. Notice how it makes you feel. There’s usually a reason.

Colour isn’t just something we see; it’s something we feel. And when we pay attention to it, it has the power to restore, energise, and quietly heal.

Thank you for reading

If you’d like to see how these colours come to life in my studio, you can:

• Join my mailing list for new work and updates.

• Follow along on Instagram @hannahblackmoreartist to see what I’m painting, and which colours are currently taking over my palette (and wardrobe).

  
  

Every shade has its own story. I just try to listen and paint it.