Colorblind Painter Uses Special Glasses, Worn Since the 1980s, to See Nearly Two-Thirds of the Spectrum

Fernando Dávila, originally from Colombia, faced an early setback in his artistic journey at the age of 8 when he failed a drawing class for painting donkeys red.

This was due to his colorblindness.

Now 72 years old, Dávila has become a recognized and respected artist, with his vivid paintings having been showcased across South America, Europe, and the United States.

“I have the most wonderful job in the world, which is painting every morning,” Dávila shared from his studio in a Miami suburb. “To mix colors. To have joy to share with the world, that’s really my passion.”

Due to his colorblindness, a congenital condition that makes it difficult for individuals to distinguish between certain colors, particularly red and green, and various shades, he initially painted exclusively in black and white until he was around 30. This condition, for which there is no cure, also causes Dávila to find pink, violet, turquoise, and yellow-green colors confusing.

Since the mid-1980s, Dávila has been able to paint in color with the assistance of special glasses developed by a New York-based ophthalmologist, where Dávila resided at the time. These glasses feature one transparent lens and another shaded red, aiding him in differentiating between contrasting shades that would typically blend together. With these lenses, he can perceive nearly two-thirds of the color spectrum, whereas without them, his perception is limited to approximately 40% of colors.

Dávila likens his condition to possessing a box of chocolates but only being able to taste a small selection, expressing a profound desire to experience every color.

“It’s something that I miss in my life, that if somebody says, ‘Look at this flower,’ which is bright, bright pink, I want to do it,” he stated. “It’s something that comes from my heart so passionately. I can feel the vibration of color.”

Colorblindness is prevalent in his family. His grandfather and some great-uncles had vision limited to black and white, while his mother and her three sisters were also colorblind, despite the condition being less common in women. His two brothers also experience difficulties in distinguishing colors.

Dávila has built his artistic career across Colombia, New York, and Florida. In recognition of his artistic contributions, he was honored with the “Order of Democracy” by the Colombian Congress in 1999. He has also authored two hardcover books and numerous catalogues featuring his artwork, and his pieces have been presented at prominent auctions, including those held by Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

His artistic repertoire includes romantic depictions of embracing couples and landscapes, often utilizing blue as a foundational color.

“I think color is one of the most important things in life,” he remarked. “And especially for me.”

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Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida contributed to this report.