Color Theory
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,808
Have no idea your age but developing cataracts change how you see color. After my first surgery, I was seeing the royal blue of the football Cowboys as a periwinkle blue. I had chosen a border fabric during that time that I discovered was totally wrong after the surgery. When I went back to the store to replace that, the clerk commented that her grandmother had to take an entire quilt apart as red and pink were the problem and her entire quilt, not just the border of mine, was totally "off". My eye dr told me to consider the art of Monet and see how his color choices changed through the years and it probably was because of developing cataracts.
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,752
Rob
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 1,552
I'm making a somewhat scrappy "Outside the Box" quilt found in "The Modern Quilt workshop". Each block is made from 3 fabrics (blues, creams, grays), which must differ in value and hue. Some of the blocks I have finished look great, and others are lacking something. Based on the instructions, I'm guessing I don't have enough contrast in either the value or the hue.
I've had problems with color before. It's time to learn. Can you recommend a book, or online resource, that gives a good, easy to understand explanation?
I think some of my problem might be how my brain processes color. DH can look at a red fabric, and see that it has purple undertones, and another might have orange undertones. I can't see that unless the two fabrics are side by side, and sometimes not even then. I just know they are different reds.
Thanks!!
I've had problems with color before. It's time to learn. Can you recommend a book, or online resource, that gives a good, easy to understand explanation?
I think some of my problem might be how my brain processes color. DH can look at a red fabric, and see that it has purple undertones, and another might have orange undertones. I can't see that unless the two fabrics are side by side, and sometimes not even then. I just know they are different reds.
Thanks!!
#15
Also.......
I agree that high contrast is needed for that quilt (Outside The Box). I've taken many classes by renowned color experts, Katie Pasquini-Masopust and others. And I've learned to 'see' color better. Katie teaches overlays which is useful to learn tints and shades of colors. I learned a lot from Sandy Bonsib who took me into a quilt shop and showed me primary, secondary and tertiary colors side by side. How lucky am I!? But, my concern is that you say you don't see the orange or blue in a certain red unless they are side by side. I'm not sure if this is a visual problem or you just need lessons and practice. I guess if I were you I would cut some swatches and make my own little color wheel. There are great tools and instructions online on how to do this. Try thecolourguru.wordpress.com, http://www.colorspire.com/overview/, or google 'color wheel projects' on Pinterest. Those will get you started. I hope this all has been helpful, keep us posted please.
Last edited by Corky; 06-26-2017 at 01:19 PM. Reason: adding another comment
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 311
Get a color wheel where you will be able to see primary colors, analageous colors and monochromatic colors. This will help you see your color values in the colors you have chosen. Hope this helps. I learned this in Art Class I and II.
#17
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,232
Thanks. I tried this, and it was helpful with the blues in my Outside the Box quilt. But I'm making a Disappearing 9 Patch comfort quilt and picked a bright yellow for the 4 blocks that get cut down the middle. Poor choice - the quilt screams yellow, but in black and white the yellow fades to a very light grey. I need to learn what this is telling me. The comfort quilt has a deadline, so no time to pick another fabric. I counting on little kids liking bright colors!
#18
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,232
The best advise comes from portrait quilters. Read this:
http://www.terryaskeartquilts.com/St...-from-a-photo/
Jane Quilter
http://www.terryaskeartquilts.com/St...-from-a-photo/
Jane Quilter
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