THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOR AND PATINA IN SCULPTURE IN CONTEMPORARY SMALL PLASTICS: INNOVATIVE METHODS OF IMAGE FORMATION

Abstract

The article explores the role of color and patina as key factors in shaping imagery in contemporary small-scale sculpture. Particular attention is paid to the psychological, aesthetic, and technological aspects of color use in sculpture, where color acts not only as a decorative but also as a conceptual means of expression. In the development of modern artistic thinking, there is a clear tendency toward the integration of color, texture, and material into a unified plastic image, which expands the boundaries of traditional sculptural perception. Patina, which historically served as a protective coating, has acquired the status of an artistic category that influences the psychological perception of form, time, and space. Methods. The research is based on a combination of systemic, comparative, and psycho-aesthetic approaches. Methods of visual observation, artistic and plastic analysis, and semantic generalization were applied to trace the interaction between color, texture, and form in modern sculptural works. Results. The findings show that contemporary small plastics demonstrate an increasing role of color as a component of artistic thinking. Innovative patination technologies – including electrochemical treatment, laser toning, nanocoating, and the combination of metals with polymer materials – provide new expressive possibilities. Color acquires symbolic significance: warm tones convey energy and emotional intensity, cold tones express calm and detachment, and the contrast between color and texture creates a dynamic psychological field within the artwork. Patina serves as a metaphor for time and historical memory, while its hues determine the emotional mood and character of the plastic image. Conclusions. Color and patina in contemporary small-scale sculpture function as essential components of form-making and carriers of emotional and semantic meaning. Their synthesis enhances the perceptual depth of sculpture, activates the viewer’s psychological response, and strengthens the individuality of artistic intent. The application of innovative technologies expands the expressive potential of materials, transforming color and surface into integral elements of the artistic language of modern sculpture. Future research may focus on the interrelation between color, material, and spatial composition in digital forms of sculpture.