More than two colors
04-23-2007, 01:47 PM
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Francisco Bay area
Posts: 223
Ina,
Many years ago in an art class, the instructor offered this tip if one is confounded by combining colors. "Go look at a red rose and then determine if red and greeen don't go together."
What I took from that is this: Nature "knows" which colors will "go". Think of the green of trees against the clear blue sky. Here in California, at this time of year, the orange of the California Poppy against the green grass on the hills and along the roads, intermingled with patches of blue and magenta lupine, all with a backdrop of a blue sky is the definition of "eye candy".
There is the issue of value and hue, but to enjoy a real confidence-builder, just go outside and look around and key on some the magnificient color combinations in the landscape . Then, apply that vision to your fabric selections. I guarantee that 99.9% of the time you will be able to stand back, look at your work and smile.
Oh, one trick that does help with "mooshing" the various colors of the fabric together is to stand back, squint, and "see" what looks good to you. Or, you could find one of those door "peep hole" inserts (available @ the hardware store), and look thorough it...same result as squinting. And lastly, my favorite for those of us who are near-sighted, take off the glasses (or remove the contacts), step back and look at your selections.
Whatever you do, go look at the landscape around you for some color combinations that just POP!
Enjoy!
Many years ago in an art class, the instructor offered this tip if one is confounded by combining colors. "Go look at a red rose and then determine if red and greeen don't go together."
What I took from that is this: Nature "knows" which colors will "go". Think of the green of trees against the clear blue sky. Here in California, at this time of year, the orange of the California Poppy against the green grass on the hills and along the roads, intermingled with patches of blue and magenta lupine, all with a backdrop of a blue sky is the definition of "eye candy".
There is the issue of value and hue, but to enjoy a real confidence-builder, just go outside and look around and key on some the magnificient color combinations in the landscape . Then, apply that vision to your fabric selections. I guarantee that 99.9% of the time you will be able to stand back, look at your work and smile.
Oh, one trick that does help with "mooshing" the various colors of the fabric together is to stand back, squint, and "see" what looks good to you. Or, you could find one of those door "peep hole" inserts (available @ the hardware store), and look thorough it...same result as squinting. And lastly, my favorite for those of us who are near-sighted, take off the glasses (or remove the contacts), step back and look at your selections.
Whatever you do, go look at the landscape around you for some color combinations that just POP!
Enjoy!
04-23-2007, 01:51 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 777
Gai Perry's book is called Color from the Heart:Seven Great Ways to Make Quilts with Colors You Love.
Also, there is a book called Quilting and Color Made Easy, and a book called Color Harmony: A Guide to Creative Color Combinations.
I looked these up on Amazon. I am self-taught on color mixing. Really it comes down to trial and error, but reading one or two books on the theory help a lot.
Jinny Beyer has one also, I don't remember the name, but she had a section where she explained how multiple colors are printed on fabric. The photos showed how very different a print looked with just one color missing. What a difference it made when they showed the finished product. It's worth looking at. Maybe you could find them at your local library?
Also, there is a book called Quilting and Color Made Easy, and a book called Color Harmony: A Guide to Creative Color Combinations.
I looked these up on Amazon. I am self-taught on color mixing. Really it comes down to trial and error, but reading one or two books on the theory help a lot.
Jinny Beyer has one also, I don't remember the name, but she had a section where she explained how multiple colors are printed on fabric. The photos showed how very different a print looked with just one color missing. What a difference it made when they showed the finished product. It's worth looking at. Maybe you could find them at your local library?
04-24-2007, 07:36 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: MS
Posts: 518
When you have a few minutes to play, go to the RJR Fabrics website, and they have a tool you can use to auto generate color shading. (I've attached a link to it.) This tool can also be used to determine how certain colors/prints might look together. Of course, they use Jinny Beyer's fabric lines as their references, but you will get a real good idea of how your own stash fabrics will look if you select their colors that closest match your own. You can print your results if you want for future reference. It is a lot of fun for any skill level... almost like playing with someone else's stash!!
http://rjrfabrics.com/quilts/atw/rjrgrid.cfm
http://rjrfabrics.com/quilts/atw/rjrgrid.cfm
04-24-2007, 08:51 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,703
I would suggest looking up art books at your local library...espessily anything that has the word "beginners" written right on the cover because art books that teach you the very basic, general aspects of painting, drawing, etc. will most likely have a section on color and how to work with it.
The only other suggestions I can offer is:
1. Different values of the same color always go together (dark blue, light blue, etc.)
2. Black or white can enhance your quilt design.
3. Use your own judgement. If the color scheme doesn't look good to you, then you certainly don't have to quilt it.
The only other suggestions I can offer is:
1. Different values of the same color always go together (dark blue, light blue, etc.)
2. Black or white can enhance your quilt design.
3. Use your own judgement. If the color scheme doesn't look good to you, then you certainly don't have to quilt it.
04-25-2007, 04:12 AM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Here not there
Posts: 1,449
Originally Posted by MCH
Ina,
Many years ago in an art class, the instructor offered this tip if one is confounded by combining colors. "Go look at a red rose and then determine if red and greeen don't go together."
What I took from that is this: Nature "knows" which colors will "go". Think of the green of trees against the clear blue sky. Here in California, at this time of year, the orange of the California Poppy against the green grass on the hills and along the roads, intermingled with patches of blue and magenta lupine, all with a backdrop of a blue sky is the definition of "eye candy".
There is the issue of value and hue, but to enjoy a real confidence-builder, just go outside and look around and key on some the magnificient color combinations in the landscape . Then, apply that vision to your fabric selections. I guarantee that 99.9% of the time you will be able to stand back, look at your work and smile.
Oh, one trick that does help with "mooshing" the various colors of the fabric together is to stand back, squint, and "see" what looks good to you. Or, you could find one of those door "peep hole" inserts (available @ the hardware store), and look thorough it...same result as squinting. And lastly, my favorite for those of us who are near-sighted, take off the glasses (or remove the contacts), step back and look at your selections.
Whatever you do, go look at the landscape around you for some color combinations that just POP!
Enjoy!
Many years ago in an art class, the instructor offered this tip if one is confounded by combining colors. "Go look at a red rose and then determine if red and greeen don't go together."
What I took from that is this: Nature "knows" which colors will "go". Think of the green of trees against the clear blue sky. Here in California, at this time of year, the orange of the California Poppy against the green grass on the hills and along the roads, intermingled with patches of blue and magenta lupine, all with a backdrop of a blue sky is the definition of "eye candy".
There is the issue of value and hue, but to enjoy a real confidence-builder, just go outside and look around and key on some the magnificient color combinations in the landscape . Then, apply that vision to your fabric selections. I guarantee that 99.9% of the time you will be able to stand back, look at your work and smile.
Oh, one trick that does help with "mooshing" the various colors of the fabric together is to stand back, squint, and "see" what looks good to you. Or, you could find one of those door "peep hole" inserts (available @ the hardware store), and look thorough it...same result as squinting. And lastly, my favorite for those of us who are near-sighted, take off the glasses (or remove the contacts), step back and look at your selections.
Whatever you do, go look at the landscape around you for some color combinations that just POP!
Enjoy!
DD
05-09-2007, 06:22 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So. California
Posts: 3,769
Hi Ina! One more book for your list:
Fabric Shopping with Alex Anderson: Seven Projects to Help You: Make Successful Choices, Build Your Confidence, Add to Your Fabric Stash by Alex Anderson
I have helped my friends pick colors for their quilts, using Alex's idea: I have them pick one multi-color print that they "LOVE". Then we'll go around the store picking fabrics with colors from that one focus fabric. When you then use those colors in a quilt, you already know they will go together 'cuz you loved them in the original print...even if you don't end up using that fabric in the quilt!
Personally, I've often been asked "How did you know those colors would go together?". My answer? Because I liked them! And, as MCH said, nature does know which colors go together...look at some gardens & landscapes: every color under the sun together (literally! LOL) & all of them beautiful! Go for it!
:D
sue
Fabric Shopping with Alex Anderson: Seven Projects to Help You: Make Successful Choices, Build Your Confidence, Add to Your Fabric Stash by Alex Anderson
I have helped my friends pick colors for their quilts, using Alex's idea: I have them pick one multi-color print that they "LOVE". Then we'll go around the store picking fabrics with colors from that one focus fabric. When you then use those colors in a quilt, you already know they will go together 'cuz you loved them in the original print...even if you don't end up using that fabric in the quilt!
Personally, I've often been asked "How did you know those colors would go together?". My answer? Because I liked them! And, as MCH said, nature does know which colors go together...look at some gardens & landscapes: every color under the sun together (literally! LOL) & all of them beautiful! Go for it!
:D
sue
05-10-2007, 10:46 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 484
When I started quilting some time ago, it was suggested that I pick a print I love and look at the colors a designer chose for that print. I may not use that print in the quilt, but I know that these are the colors I am drawn to. Also notice that many fabrics have color keys in the selvage. They will show as color dots or squares. These are the exact colors used to create that print. After awhile you will become more comfortable chosing your own colors.
Freddy Moran believes that red is a neutral. She loves color! I have heard her say, why use 10 colors when 100 will make a more interesting quilt. Check out some of her books, and you will understand what she means.
Freddy Moran believes that red is a neutral. She loves color! I have heard her say, why use 10 colors when 100 will make a more interesting quilt. Check out some of her books, and you will understand what she means.
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