Colour as Emotion (includes examples)

http://www.artfactory.com/color_theory/color_theory_3.htm
Colour as Emotion:

A knowledge of colour theory helps us to express our feelings in our artwork. Colour has also been introduced in our vocabulary to describe how we’re feeling such as ‘red’ with anger or ‘green’ with envy or feeling the ‘blues’.

Hope and Joy

Vincent Van Gogh (1853 - 1890)

'Sunflowers', 1888 (oil on canvas)

The paintings of Vincent Van Gogh show an instinctive understanding of the emotive properties of colour. In this version of 'Sunflowers' from the National Gallery in London, he uses warm yellows to create an energetic image that radiates feelings of hope and joy. On the gallery wall this painting is surrounded by a thick dark brown and frame and glows like a backlit image from within.

Sadness and Despair

Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1873)

'The Tragedy', 1903 (oil on canvas)

Another effective use of emotive colour is found in the paintings of Pablo Picasso. Between 1901 and 1904, Picasso painted in monochrome tones of blue which reflected his low psychological state. This was triggered by the death of his friend. This chapter of his became known as his 'blue period'. In 'The Tragedy' (1903) he uses cool blues to evoke the chill of sadness and despair in a typically gloomy subject from this period.