Color blocking, a term commonly used in the fashion industry, refers to the juxtaposition of complementary colors, such as orange and blue, which are found opposite each other on the color wheel. In visual art, this often takes the form of flat planes of color placed next to or near each other in a painting or print. The technique creates visual interest on the surface of the work, and can alter a viewer’s perception of the individual colors. Abstract Expressionist color field painters like Mark Rothko practiced a form of color blocking by dividing their canvases into hazy sections of solid color. Kenneth Noland’s paintings often took the form of nested circles or diamond shapes and comprised vibrant hues of blue, yellow, orange, and teal. The interactions between the colors become as much the subject of the work as the colors themselves.

In contemporary art, artists look to the precedents set by Rothko and Noland, as well as Piet Mondrian, Frank Stella, Josef Albers, and others. Richard Anuszkiewicz explores perception and coloration through his prints juxtaposing solid forms of bright colors. Though often found in abstraction, color blocking can be used in figurative works of art as well. Flat blocks of pure color make up Natasha Law’s portraits of female models, creating striking forms that eliminate unnecessary detail. Other contemporary artists who use color blocking in their work include Carlos Alfonso, Paul Barlow, Anselm Reyle, Richard Tuttle, and Bryan Rowe.