Monochromatic painting has been an important component of avant-garde visual art throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century. A monochrome painting is a work of art that consists of a single color. In fact, the word monochrome literally means ''one color.'' It's a different approach to art, but one that's deeply intriguing and meditative at some level.
For centuries artists used different shades (tones) of brown or black ink to create monochrome pictures on paper. The ink would simply be more or less diluted to achieve the required shades. Shades of grey oil paint were used to create monochrome paintings, a technique known as grisaille, from the French word ‘gris’ meaning grey. In such work the play of light and dark (chiaroscuro) enabled the artist to define form and create a picture.
However monochromatic works need not be only black & white, this technique can be rendered equally with any color. The key to this is remembering that blue and green are different colors, but dark blue and light blue are not; these are just values of the same color. From the base color, a hue can be tinted by adding white, making it lighter. Theoretically, you can continue doing this until achieving almost pure white. At the same time, a colorcan be shaded by adding black. Thus, artists can paint an entire piece consisting of lines, shapes, and figures in various shades and tints that are, technically, only one color.
The monochrome often serves one of two purposes. The first was communicating spiritual purity; by choosing one color, artists could explore the tranquility of total abstraction. A prime example would be the ‘Shanti’ series by master artist SH Raza. This minimalist work, executed in tones of cream, is radiant and emanates a divine energy. The artwork is akin to a circle of light inscribed with the single word Shanti (peace). This monochromatic work of Raza portrays the bindu as shunya or zero – a void into which all individuals are drawn, becoming one with the universe.
Contemporary artist Shruti Jhaveri, who also celebrates ‘white on white’ in her work ‘Reinvention’ states, “There is a sense of peace and calm that emanates from an artwork without color. The artwork can be busy with lines and textures and still devoid of color. There is an interplay of subtle tones which naturally compliment each other and draw in the viewer to his own interpretation.”
The second purpose of monochrome, for some artists, was to reduce the painting or sculpture to its simplest form so that the focus of the piece would be on its pure physical elements; color, form, texture or the way in which it was made. Artist Ajay De who is celebrated for his monochromatic black and white charcoal works states, “I learnt there was more truth in black and white. Color, though appealing, was not enough of a challenge, because life is full of shades. Should you care to see my creations with feeling’s eyes, you will find the colorof fire in the spirit of my paintings, the colorof dreams in my strokes, the many hues and shades of passion bring to life my creations.” His work ‘Monsoon in Mumbai’ showcased on the curators art gallery is a an evocative example of this enigmatic subject.
Vrindavan Solanki is another artist who preserves the pristine quality of black & white in most of his artworks. Like the Chinese pen and ink painters, the only color he engages is "black". The result is magnificent. His canvas glows as though illuminated with an inner light.
TheCurators.Art offers several paintings for sale online that celebrate the magnificence and wonder of black & white or single tone artworks. The subtlety of artworks presented by Gunjan Shrivastava who uses Cyanotype, Shreya Mehta who uses vegan pigments or Afza Tamkanat who uses coffee and watercolor are mesmerizing. As a popular quote goes, “You are just monochrome behind the colorful chaos.”
FAQs
A monochrome or monochromatic painting is one created using only one colour or hue. It can use different shades of one color but by definition should contain only one base color.
Why is monochrome important in art? ›
The monochrome often serves one of two purposes. The first of these was communicating spiritual purity; by choosing one colour, artists could explore the tranquility of total abstraction.
What is the monochrome technique of painting? ›
In monochromatic painting, a single color is chosen as the base hue that can be changed by adding either white or black paint to it. It is important to note that this is the only way to alter the hue, as adding additional pigments would transform the color into a different color.
What is the simplest type of visual art? ›
Drawing is the simplest type of visual art. It only requires a drawing tool, such as a pencil, and a surface, such as paper. By creating lines, there is shape. Details will make the drawing look more realistic or complex.
What is the best example of monochromatic? ›
Famous Examples of Monochromatic Color Schemes
Nike (black), Coca-Cola (red), and McDonald's (yellow) are just a few examples of brands who have stuck to monochromatic or loosely monochromatic color schemes in their brand identities to reinforce the memorability of their logo or advertising.
What artists are monochromatic colors? ›
Whether working in varying shades of the same color or one dominant shade, these artists are all creating worlds shaped by the infinite possibilities of color.
- Yamuna Forzani. B. 1993, England. ...
- Jesse Zuo. B. ...
- Elijah Kauffman. B. ...
- Alayna Coverly. B. ...
- Dominic Chambers. B. ...
- Cathy Tabbakh. B. ...
- Ashley Marie. B. ...
- Katia Lifshin. B.
Other monochrome schemes may not use the base hue at all and may stick solely to the desaturated tones and lighter tints to create a calm mood. Grayscale can be effective for setting a tranquil, cozy tone as well.
Why is monochrome so popular? ›
Monochrome art seems to be the simplest thing for many, although the omnipotence of color, in its humblest, purest form, transcends the viewer's vision. The genre leaves no room for figuration, while its contemporary representations question the specificity of art.
What are the disadvantages of monochrome? ›
However, monochrome printing does have a few drawbacks. It is not suitable for printing images or graphics, as it only uses one color. Additionally, it lacks the vibrancy and depth of color that full-color printing provides, so it may not be the best option for creative projects or marketing materials.
Why would artists experiment with monochrome painting? ›
Monochromes are certainly an art form that offers a lot of room for interpretation. Artists used it to spiritually explore a new level of perception of art. The strength of monochrome painting lies in its ability to take the viewer on a journey into the innermost part of their perception.
Monochrome painting as it is usually understood today began in Moscow, with Suprematist Composition: White on White of 1918 by Suprematist artist Kazimir Malevich.
What is the opposite of monochrome in art? ›
Monochrome painting, a style of painting that uses a single color (excluding shades thereof) Monochrome printmaking, printing styles that generate black-and-white images. Polychrome, of multiple colors, the opposite of monochrome.
What is the simplest art style? ›
Minimalist style is all about simplicity. It uses a limited color palette and minimal details to create a clean and straightforward design. This style is perfect for beginners who want to focus on composition and balance. Realism is a challenging art style, but it can be a great way to improve your skills.
What is the easiest type of art? ›
Hand Sketching
One of the easiest art ideas to start with that requires no special materials is drawing.
What is the oldest form of visual arts? ›
Cave paintings are the oldest that still exist (pre-64,000 BCE, done by Neanderthals).
What is a paint example of monochromatic? ›
Let's take red as an example, working our way along each of its iterations. By adding white, you get pink, a 'tint' of red. Add black, and you get maroon, a 'shade' of red. And there you have it: a monochromatic color scheme of pink, red, and maroon.
What is monochromatic and example? ›
Example of a monochromatic color scheme
All black and white films fall into the monochromatic category. Black and white are present at the extremes of each and every color, meaning solid black and white can be included in a monochromatic scheme built around any color.
What is an example of a monochromatic photo? ›
Black and white photography is the most prominent example of monochrome photography, as it represents subjects in varying shades of neutral gray, but includes no other colors.
Which of the following is an example of monochromatic? ›
Green, blue-green, blue is considered a monochromatic color scheme as it uses varying shades and tints of the color green. The other options include multiple colors, which do not fit the definition of a monochromatic scheme.
