Within the chapter, McCloud displays how colour, similarly to line, has a great impact on the artistic style of comics (As well as any other artistic medium). However it is more infrequently used than line, as colour is both strengthened and hindered by commerce and technology. While colour will often boost sales of the product its used it, it often costs a lot more to produce than simple black and white. And while technology is making colour easier to use it too is generally more expensive to purchase. But when colour is used in comics the effects are easily seen. Colours and tone affect form and the depth of objects, the emotion, mood and sensations of the comic, as well as realism and expressiveness. In fact comic artists will generally stick to a select amount of colours for characters to establish a recognisable scheme, or choose an overall range of colours to make up their own recognisable style. But overall, colour simply makes it seem more real.
Robert Delaunay, whilst not a comic artist, is a person who I feel utilised colour in a way that helps express his inner feelings much like McCloud outlined in the chapter. Take for instance ‘Homage to Bleriot’, my favourite of his paintings and indeed my favourite painting of all time.
Clearly colour is highlighted within this painting. Delaunay has used a ‘child-like’ range of colour (I use the term child-like due to their purity and vibrant, interesting look) throughout the painting, allowing it to leap of the canvas directly at the viewer. The explosion of colour is warm and vibrant, positioning the viewer to feel happier and joyous about the painting. And Delaunay was an Orphist painting, an art style that celebrated the mechanical and industrial revolution. And as this painting was a homage to the first pilot to fly over the English Channel, no mere feet at that time, it’s clear that the emotions heightened by the vibrancy of his colours are no mistake and where meant to express his appreciation for the machine. This is one of many examples how colour can help us feel more passionately for an art piece.
But going back to comics, I’d now like to talk about a lack of colour
As you can see, XKCD uses no colour. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. The characters within the webcomic are simplistic and rather it is the writing and the wit that is complex and deep. Colour isn’t necessary for the format of the comic’s style, chance are it would most likely distract you from the humour.
Such similarities with format are found within Japanese manga which are normally produced in black and white. Colour would simply take away from a lot of the work artists have spent putting into expressive linear work, detailed characters and deep scripts (Many things that McCloud has pointed out about Japanese artwork within his book). And going back to commerce limitations, since most manga are mass produced to the millions of people in Japan, are quite thick and are generally produced as a series it would simply cost too much time, effort and money to add colour when acceptable results are achieved without it.
Such similarities with format are found within Japanese manga which are normally produced in black and white. Colour would simply take away from a lot of the work artists have spent putting into expressive linear work, detailed characters and deep scripts (Many things that McCloud has pointed out about Japanese artwork within his book). And going back to commerce limitations, since most manga are mass produced to the millions of people in Japan, are quite thick and are generally produced as a series it would simply cost too much time, effort and money to add colour when acceptable results are achieved without it.
Overall, colour adds interest and more expression to artwork at the cost of money and more effort. While the same can still be achieved with black and white work, colour can add more vitality to a piece and as technology progresses colour will only become more easier to utilise
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