Color Theory
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,232
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'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!!
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,973
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.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Blue Ridge Mountians
Posts: 7,075
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
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,666
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
The original poster may have some form of color blindness?
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Western Catskills
Posts: 138
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.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
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.
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,666
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.
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.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ridgefield WA
Posts: 7,765
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!
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