Expressive color refers to one manner in which color is used to describe shapes. Expressive color specifically refers to a use of color that is based on the artist's creative choice, whether the choice is based on a design decision or based on a conceptual decision. For example, painting a banana blue would be use of expressive color. Expressive color is also referred to as subjective color.

Another method of color use is local color.

Expressive color - a blue apple: