Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt happier, calmer or more energised without really knowing why?
Chances are, colour had something to do with it.
As both an artist and psychotherapist, colour is something I absolutely love. I spend my days surrounded by it, creating with it and watching the incredible impact it has on people. It can influence our mood, affect our energy levels and even shape how we experience the world around us.
Our brains are constantly taking in information from our environment, and colour plays a surprisingly important role in that process. Warm colours such as red, orange and yellow tend to feel energetic, uplifting and creative. Cooler colours like pale blues and green often help us feel calmer, more grounded and relaxed.
There’s a reason hospitals often use soft blues and greens, while supermarkets use bright reds and yellows to grab your attention. Colour influences how we feel, often without us even realising it.
In my art practice, I often find myself reaching for particular colours depending on what I want to express. Sometimes it’s a soft pink when I’m exploring something gentle and nurturing. Other times it’s a vibrant orange when I want energy and movement to burst across the canvas.
Think about the language we use every day. We talk about feeling blue, seeing red or having a golden opportunity. Colour is deeply connected to emotions and the great thing it is a tool we can all use intentionally! Need help concentrating? Try adding some green to your workspace, feeling a little flat and lacking motivation? Bring in some warm yellows or oranges, looking to create a calm and restful environment? Soft blues and earthy tones can work beautifully.
Take a moment to look around you right now. The colours on your walls, your clothing, your favourite coffee mug or even the artwork hanging in your home. These choices are rarely random. Often, they reflect how we see ourselves or how we want to feel.
So, what’s your favourite colour?
Here is a quick guide to get you started.
The Colour Mood Guide
Red – Energy, passion and action
Orange – Warmth, creativity and enthusiasm
Yellow – Joy, optimism and mental clarity
Green – Balance, calm, learning and healing
Blue – Trust, reflection and emotional clarity
Purple – Imagination, intuition and wisdom
Pink – Compassion, nurture and playfulness
One thing I know for certain is that children absolutely love colour. They’re naturally curious about it and love to experiment with it.
That’s why colour-based art activities can be such a wonderful way to connect with your child. Through colour, children often express thoughts and feelings they don’t yet have words for.
A simple activity you can try together is creating a colour wheel game. Spin the wheel, see which colour it lands on and start a conversation.
So today, I invite you to take a moment to really notice the colours around you and ask yourself: What are they saying?
