Blues, Yellows and Texture

Blues, Yellows and Texture

This mixed media piece was created using cardboard and oil pastels while listening to Rainy Day from The Shape of Water soundtrack. I deliberately chose a limited palette of blues and yellows, inspired by J.M.W. Turner’s atmospheric use of light and colour. Turner often placed cool blues next to warm yellows to create contrast and emotion. In my work, the blue suggests depth, water and melancholy, while the yellow disrupts and energises the composition. The contrast creates movement rather than calm harmony, which reflects the emotional shifts within the music.

The decision to use cardboard was influenced by AB Creative’s mixed media approach. Building up the surface first allowed me to think about structure before adding colour. I feel that some areas successfully capture the softness and flow of the soundtrack, especially where the oil pastels blend smoothly. However, in other areas the marks feel heavier and slightly overpower the composition. This has made me realise that I am still learning how to balance control with instinct.

Overall, this piece shows a step forward in my move towards expressive abstraction. I am less focused on creating a recognisable image at the moment and more interested in translating sound into colour, movement and texture. Going forward, I want to refine how I balance structure, colour and emotion so the work feels more resolved.