Colour Systems & Pigment Research
A living research archive documenting the role of colour, pigments, layering techniques, and surface interactions within my reclaimed-material practice, where colour functions not only as decoration but as emotion, storytelling, symbolism, and visual architecture.
Every reclaimed material arrives carrying its own colour. Some have faded through years of use. Others have rusted, oxidized, weathered, stained, or peeled with time. Rather than erasing these histories, my studio explores how existing colours and newly applied pigments can coexist to tell richer stories.
Research Profile
Category
Colour Research
Focus
Pigments Surface Interaction Layering
Primary Materials
Acrylic Paint Paint Pens Nail Enamel Natural Patinas
Applications
Mixed Media Assemblage Portraiture Installations
Research Status
Ongoing Studio Investigation
Purpose
Visual Communication Emotional Storytelling
Every Colour Speaks
In my practice, colour is never applied at random. Each decision contributes to the emotional atmosphere of an artwork. Gold may suggest royalty. Deep blues often introduce reflection. Bright florals may symbolize hope. Dark surfaces can speak of memory, loss, or resilience. Colour therefore becomes another material—one capable of communicating ideas long before words are read.
Respecting Existing Colour
Many reclaimed materials already possess remarkable surface qualities. Weathered aluminium, aged bottle caps, faded plastics, and oxidized metals contain colours that cannot be artificially recreated. Whenever possible, I preserve these authentic surfaces, allowing them to participate in the final composition alongside carefully selected pigments and painted details.
Studio Colour Workflow
Material Observation
Studying natural colours already present within reclaimed materials.
Palette Development
Building colour relationships around the story being told.
Layer Construction
Combining pigments with existing textures and surface histories.
Visual Balance
Refining contrast, harmony, rhythm, and emphasis.
Core Research Areas
When Colour Meets Reclaimed Materials
Every reclaimed surface responds differently to paint. Cardboard absorbs pigments differently from aluminium. Glass reflects colour in unique ways. Fabric softens edges while plastics often intensify contrast. Understanding these behaviours requires constant testing, observation, and experimentation before colour becomes part of the finished artwork.
Projects Exploring Colour Research
She Again Shall Bloom
Floral colour palettes representing restoration, hope, and renewal.
Forgotten Princess
Royal metallic tones contrasting memory and resilience.
Scarred & Sassy
Bold contrasts expressing confidence despite emotional wounds.
Worth Beyond Waste
Colour relationships transforming discarded materials into value.
Earth Goddess
Natural earth palettes balanced with vibrant symbolic accents.
Colour Does Not Hide History
I do not paint reclaimed materials simply to make them appear new. Instead, colour becomes another layer of their journey. The scratches remain. The dents remain. The memories remain. Pigments simply invite viewers to see those histories from a new perspective.
The Colours Of Sustainability
Nature rarely produces perfectly uniform colours. Weathering, ageing, oxidation, and reuse create rich surface variations that industrial manufacturing often tries to eliminate. My work celebrates these imperfections, allowing reclaimed materials to retain the colours acquired throughout their previous lives while introducing new visual narratives through thoughtful pigment application.
Questions Guiding My Exploration
- How do reclaimed surfaces naturally influence colour perception?
- Can existing material colours replace additional paint in future works?
- Which pigments offer the greatest longevity on mixed-media surfaces?
- How does colour affect emotional interpretation within environmental art?
- Can sustainable colour systems reduce material consumption while strengthening storytelling?