I've been exploring the use of color more in depth than ever now as I am trying to break it down and understand why certain combinations work so well and others don't. Color relationship is fascinating!
This is all part of my ebook which is in the works.
(There will be another giveaway later when that happens.)
For now, though, I thought that this video by Laura Bryant was so good that I wanted to share it.
It's called "A Fiber Artists Guide to Color". The trailer for it is below. It is definitely worth watching the full-length version. So, I bought an extra copy which I'm going to share with one of you who post your comments below. Watch the 2-minute version below and then read on to see what to do.
In this video, Laura shares her axiom in regards to color.
"You don't get WOW by doing the expected."
Good advice, Laura!
There must be other bits of wisdom that people think of as they are working with color.
Do you have any such saying in regards to color? A tidbit of scientific information? A tip?
A rule that you live by in regards to color? A truth? A discovery?
If so, please add it to the comments on this post and I'll pick at random, one of the commenters to receive a copy of the full-length DVD.
IMPORTANT: Check back on January 30th to see who the lucky winner is. If you are the winner, I'll need to get your mailing address from you.
The video looks great! I'm very uncertain about color combinations, but I attended a helpful yarn dyeing class with a teacher who had us all use pictures of various natural environments, (plants, animals, misty mountains, seashore, etc.) in order to determine colors that work together. I'd love to learn more.
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DeleteThanks! Great suggestion? Have you used it?
DeleteI've used it a little with knitting, but not yet with weaving - I'm still a beginner with that.
DeleteI did a few which were taken from photos of scenery in which I did a landscape sort of pattern. They turned out very interesting. Here's one: http://aspinnerweaver.blogspot.com/2015/07/weaving-new-mexico-landscape-taos.html
DeleteI had noticed your Taos Mountain strap before - it's beautiful! I love the pickup technique you used.
DeleteLove the trailer and I'm looking forward to seeing the video. My favorite tip came from a free-form crochet class - when picking colors, always include one you dislike. It's often the 'pop' you need to take a project from good to WOW.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elisa. Well, that certainly goes against our natural tendencies, doesn't it? Does it work for you? I'm going to contemplate that one!
DeleteI think this would be a great video to have! I believe there are no ugly colors, you just have to learn how to use them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathy. I think that Laura says something similar to that in the video. Do you agree with the statement?
DeleteYes. I love playing with color, and would love to learn more about it.
DeleteI saw Laura at Stitches a few years ago and she is awesome! She really knows color! Great video!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. I bet she would be great in person! Did you pick up any tips?
DeleteI've always been timid about trying unusual color combinations, but I love Laura's comment: "You don't get WOW by doing the expected." Especially with fiber!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Nancy. Let me know if it works for you!
DeleteThat's very interesting. We just had a speaker give us a presentation at my Foothill Fibers Guild meeting. If I won the DVD, I'd love to share it with my Guild.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Cheryl Taylor
Cheryl, who was your speaker? Did you pick up any tips?
DeleteThat is great that you belong to such an active guild.
It would be exciting to learn to use color more effectively, not only in knitting, but in crochet, quilting and embroidery.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Rosalyn. Do you actually do all of those? It is fun to play with color!
DeleteThe combining of colors is by far the most difficult aspect of weaving for me. My weaving teacher urged adding just a thread or three of something bright and unexpected in the warp--and I've found forcing myself to think in those terms is quite liberating!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Kerry. This sounds like a good strategy which is working for you.
DeleteThis sounds fabulous...and Happy Birthday to my favorite fiber artist who moved away from Santa Cruz! I miss you, and I am not alone in that. xxj
ReplyDeleteAwww,,, Thanks, Jan!
DeleteWow is right! I wish I had that kind of eye for color. When I was putting together my latest inkle project, I was thinking "calm beaches". I ended up with more or a country blue or preppy stripe. yikes! Perhaps I will use it to bind up the hem of my raveling blue jeans.
ReplyDeleteColor theory is always something I've struggled with - so much so that I frequently choose projects based on pictures because I like the the fiber artists colors combinations as much as I like the pattern they've used. I'm just now beginning to experiment with using the color wheel, and it has certainly added a "pop" to the finished product. I'm looking forward to becoming bolder in my color choices and getting away from my favorite "blue and green" only combinations.
ReplyDeleteAmazing color combinations . Thanks for sharing all you do!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like just the thing. Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteGreat example and I'm always amazed how different colours look together. It's great to see them pop. I must admit to sticking to a lot of monochromatic projects so far! Thanks for the opportunity of the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThe clip is intriguing. I tend to get stuck with my 'favorite colors' and never really have investigated how colors work together. This would really help me when it comes to creating something from what I have instead of rushing to buy one more, one of a kind, skein of yarn!
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