Light, Darkness and Color in Painting Therapy

These paintings, except where noted as watercolor, are painted by applying dry pastel chalk, by hand, on special art paper. As a result of each layer of color applied in a lawful, objective way, in specific areas of the paper, images will appear.

In the case of watercolor, the same techniques are followed using translucent layers (veils) of watercolor pigments, approximately 60 layers, before an image will make itself known.

This technique of painting is called Light Darkness and Color in Painting Therapy. Each color has a lawful movement and essential quality, as well as, a relationship to the human's thinking, feeling, and behavior (will). Through the lawfulness of the color usage and the images, the viewer of these paintings may be reminded of their own spiritual heritage of Beauty, Truth, and Goodness.

Liane Collot d'Herbois (1903-1999) developed this technique from a suggestion that came to her from Dr. Ita Wegman: Every painting should bring a healing to the viewer. The painting should remind them of the spiritual world. Through studying JW Goethe's Theory of Colour and Rudolf Steiner's lectures and writings, Ms. Collot d'Herbois developed this technique of applying color to art paper which she researched and proved through collaborative work with Dr. Wegman in a clinical, hospital setting.

Lynn Stull has studied Light, Darkness and Color in Painting Therapy with Iris Sullivan, Art Therapist, Fair Oaks, California and through her own study and research of the forces of Light and Darkness and their relationship to color. As an artist and an on-going student of this work, she strives to continue and develop her own individual conversation and relationship with each of the Beings of Color and how they work with and through each other to assist humanity. Lynn hopes you enjoy her artwork and that each painting moves your soul in a particular way and reminds you of your own spiritual heritage of Beauty, Truth and Goodness.

Lynn encourages and welcomes your comments and feedback, you can reach her at 909.626.0757 or via email.

---

 

Progression of the Theories

The table below shows the progression of the theories regarding the relationship between Light, Darkness and Color. Starting with Goethe's observations on a cosmic level, continuing with how Steiner relates Goethe's theory on cosmic forces to the microcosmic level of the human and its physiological systems, and progressing even further with Collot d'Herbois' and Dr. Ita Wegman's clinical study of specific colors and their effects on these systems. Painting lawfully, according to the laws of Light, Darkness and Color, may bring about a painting which is healing, as well as, will reflect the spiritual virtues of Truth, Beauty and Goodness.

Johann W Goethe	Rudolf Steiner	Collot/Ita Wegman	Spiritual Virtues
1749-1832	1861-1925	1903-1999 / 1876-1943
Light	+ Thinking + Nervous System	specific color and their movements applied in upper region of painting for effecting Thinking and Nervous System	Truth
Colour	+ Feeling + Rhythmic System	specific colors and their movements applied in middle region of painting for effecting Feeling and Rhythmic System	Beauty
Darkness	+ Willing (Behavior) + Metabolic System	specific colors and their movements applied in lower region of painting for effecting Willing (Behavior) and Metabolic System	Goodness

 

---

 

Books

Light, Darkness and Color in Painting Therapy, Liane Collot d'Herbois

Colour, A Textbook for Anthroposophical Painting Groups, Liane Collot d'Herbois

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Elements in Light-Darkness-Color by Chantal Bernard & Janny Mager

Additional Books and Research

Theory of Colour, JW Goethe

Light Course, Rudolf Steiner

Warmth Course, Rudolf Steiner

Colour, Rudolf Steiner