Color Theory
 

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 can't recommend a book but I can recommend a photo. If you take a black and white photo with your phone, you will be able to see contrast. Since it is in black and white, the color undertones won't matter.

The best advise comes from portrait quilters. Read this:

http://www.terryaskeartquilts.com/St...-from-a-photo/

Jane Quilter

Interesting article. I doubt that I will ever do that - but it does help me understand and respect the technique.

The original poster may have some form of color blindness?

Craftsy has a class on colour theory. I haven't taken it but it's on my list.

Watson

I have "Color Magic for Quilters" by Ann Seely & Joyce Stewart, from Rodale Press. It gives rudimentary theory, mostly in pictures, and has many, many examples including some not-so-successful ones with an improvement & explanation. Also instructions for several quilts. See what your local library has (look in art instruction, too) and what you might borrow from fellow quilters.

Joen Wolfram has good color and design books--several. Check out C & T (not Connecting Threads) Publishing--they have many excellent books on quilting and color. Also, get a good color wheel (they also carry one of these) that is large enough for you to actually see the colors and the different hues, , tints, shades and their values.

Some color wheels are better than others.

I have noticed that there seem to be two "types" around now.

One has the primary colors of red, blue, and yellow that I learned in grade school.

The other one seems to use yellow, magenta, and cyan for the triad of colors.

Yes and there have been other suggestions to use a piece of see-through red plastic or cellophane and look at the 3 colors together. The contrast will stand out really well and at least help with that part of choosing!

I have Jinny Beyer's book 'Color Confidence for Quilters', which has helped me a great deal.