How do They do That?

Have you ever looked at someone’s finished project and asked:

Why don’t my colors POP like that?

I know I have.

English: Additive primary colors. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So, I decided to look at all of my projects, sewing, crocheting, painting and decorating. Here is what I found.

• I use a dual color palette most often.
• In order to expand the number of colors I use a multi-colored yarn or fabric and use it as a color guide.
• I use the same color combinations from patterns.
• I choose patterns based on the colors used in the photos and use the same.

As far back as I can remember my favorite colors were bold, bright primary colors. In fact, my love of primary colors is so attached to my art that I often hear from my friends and family, “It is okay if you want to make something for me (or my kids) just don’t make it rainbow!” Okay…Okay, I get it…but then how do I train my eye to see all of those other color combinations? I will never change my love for rainbows in bright primary colors! 

I took a trip down memory lane

Mid-thirties: When I took a “Quilt in a Day“ class color was discussed. We were given a two-inch square of thick plastic with a hole drilled into it so we would have it with us when we shopped for fabric. This genius square, translucent red, would help us to decide if colors were of the same hue. Not too bad as a tool goes. I still use it.

Late twenties/early thirties: I trained to DO a person’s colors and I taught others how to choose their best colors, the correct tone and hue. Initially I was a Winter but now I am an Autumn. The change is due to two factors. I am no longer tan year round and my hair has now turned silver. When I lived in San Diego my skin was always brown, I didn’t sunbathe I just tan easily. Finding colors that are best suited for a person opened my idea of how I thought about color combinations.

Late teens: In High School I had several art classes, one of which was the use of color in decorating. I learned how to use a color wheel and to use color to express the “feel” of the area to be decorated, how much natural light vs sunlight, etc. Masculine vs Feminine etcetera, etcetera….

Preteen/teen: I shared a bedroom with two sisters, their color scheme (via mom) was pink and white. My side of the room (much to my mom’s chagrin) was red and black. To compromise I threw in a few dashes of pink and white. I still cringe when I think about that room.

My mom loved Olive Green and Dark Blue; “Mediterranean” colors. Our living room was always that color combination while I lived at home. Color themed Christmas trees are a tragic memory.

Therein lies the rub, I grew up in a home that where color theme comes in sets of two. I have always loved the color black and I use it in my decorating as a bonding color. Black becomes charcoal or gray when I am choosing color combinations using pastels, or mid-tone colors. All of that aside, how does one select colors that not only work together they pop?

I was reading some of my favorite blogs and came upon a link where I found….wait…wait…now…for the magic!

Voila! Here comes Tracy at Crochet Happy’s post about online tools for color and pattern help. Be prepared there are more links to check out when you hover over the tool. I tried several of them. These FREE tools highlight seven color tools, including a palette generator (to create a color palette from images), a pattern maker (MyPhotoStitch.com) and a yarn calculator. Not to be overlooked is my favorite the random stripe maker from Caitlin at Biscuits and Jam.

There are six items that are for sale. Hover over each of them to read the Amazon.com price. These all are color related books and color wheels.

Color galaxy (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Related articles:

• Fashion or Decor? This Info Will Help on All Levels! (mayrobinson.wordpress.com)
• The Psychology of Color in Marketing and Branding | Help Scout (helpscout.net)