Day 2- Color Theory

I believe the best way to learn about color is to mix and create colors by watching the physical interaction of one hue upon another using paint. Reading about color or looking at swatches of fabric can give you a sense about how colors relate but there's nothing like experiential learning to fully grasp the concept.

In this class we start with recognizing warm and cool primary colors and how using the right combination will create the purest and brightest secondary and tertiary colors to make an accurate color wheel. Then we apply this knowledge for making tints, shades and tones.

My favorite chart is the Complementary color chart where each student chooses a different set of complementary colors and creates a stepped gradation between the two to see how each color is neutralized by its opposite and see all the lovely colors that are created in the process.

I break up the time in class with a powerpoint presentation going over the basics of color theory and showing examples of the way different colors affect each other; shifting hue, value and visual depth.

It's a lot of information to absorb in one day, but the process is relaxing and fun and there are several extra charts to continue the exploration on your own at home.

I even had a husband and wife team in this class.

The Cincinnati Quilt Festival was interesting in that it had the highest percentage of men I have ever seen at any International Quilt Festival I've attended over the last 15 years. It's still a very small number, but I was impressed none the less.

Friday night, the city of Cincinnati threw the festival attendees a blow out dance party at the convention center with lots of small plate food, wine and beer and a 70's/80's cover band with a dance floor.

And the best part was I got to hang out and dance with my fellow creative peeps:

Pokey, who is now the chief creative officer for IQA, how's that for an impressive title, besides still being host of QATV, and my Chicago peeps Catherine Redford and Cheryl Sleboda. 

What a blast! The music was awesome, I don't think I missed dancing to a single song, 2 1/2 hours straight, what a work out, I was a bit stiff the next morning, lol, but it was so worth it. It's rare to have the opportunity to dance to such great music anymore.