Charting a Course in Color

I teach color theory very much like you would learn it in art school, because I think the way to really understand color is by mixing paint and seeing what happens when you physically add one color to another. As an educator I believe experiential learning like this creates the deepest level of learning for most people.

In the first half of the class I show a power point explaining the various terms relating to color theory with graphics and going through all the color schemes with fabric swatch examples along with samples of my art quilt work that falls into the various categories.

One of the first charts we make is a basic color wheel with primary, secondary and tertiary colors created from red, yellow and blue.

It's funny how every class has an over achiever, who takes the project to a higher level than required :-)

Actually this gal is a fabric dyer who wants to really understand how to attain exact colors when mixing dyes.

I think she's well on her way.




After lunch I show another powerpoint with examples of how colors interact and affect each other so that one can choose colors to enhance mood, visual activity, depth and contrast. Then we get on with our next charts.

This is exercise is mixing complimentary colors, one of my favorites! I love the beautiful color palette you achieve when doing this, look at those gorgeous greens and browns made from blue and orange.

The class has 6 charts in all, we usually get through about 3-4 in 6 hours, but everyone has the experience they need to continue at home.

I teach an online version of this class too, but right now the class is on hold until after I move later this fall, am resettled, get a new web host and have the site up and running again.

Linda took my Tea & Ephemera class last year and brought in this fantastic pillow she made with her collaged fabric, it's backed with a rust colored ultra suede.

Beautiful!

Does color intimidate you?

Do you find yourself choosing the same 'tried and true' color combinations over and over? Do you want to consistently dye bright saturated colors and muted colors when you want to? Can you recognize the difference between warm and cool colors and understand why you would choose one over the other to mix exactly the color you want? 

Join me Friday, July 27 to learn the answers to these and many more questions about Color Theory in sunny Long Beach at International Quilt Festival.

Reading about color is valuable and arranging swatches of fabric into color combinations is helpful, but it doesn't show the different hues that make up a specific color and explain why one swatch combination will look so much better than another that is only slightly different. 

I believe the best way to really understand color is by mixing paint and witnessing what happens as the two colors interact. This is the process it takes to train your eye so choosing color ultimately becomes second nature.

This is a fun, relaxing and informative day, guaranteed to give you more confidence working with color.

I hope to see you in sunny Long beach!

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.

Color is Amazing!

Earlier this year my daughter Indigo came across an interesting example showing how one color can be extremely affected by another color, she created this series of images to illustrate this particular phenomenon.

In the image above, it appears that the eye on the left is blue, matching the blue circle on the upper right, and the eye on the right is gray. Believe it or not, both eyes are the same gray!

In the image below, cover the gray side of the image with your hand and watch the half of the eye on the red field turn blue to match the blue circle on the right.

Pretty cool huh?

If you are interested in learning more about how colors interact and how to make them work for you, my online Color Theory class is on sale during the month of September for $45.

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The Hot Summer Blog Giveaway Continues

with a downloadable copy of my DVD Design, Paint & Stitch from Interweave and a free spot in my online Color Theory class!

My DVD is about making painted whole cloth art quilts, it covers: 

The design stage, how I use photo-editing software to manipulate and size the original design.  
The painting stage, the tools needed for painting; an in-depth review of the types and properties of paints, strategies for painting, using freezer-paper masks and painting backgrounds. 
Machine quilting a wholecloth quilt; from planning and marking to batting, basting, and free-motion quilting. 
Then several non-traditional binding options for art quilts are covered.

For a chance to win, please leave a comment, between now and the end of the giveaway: midnight Friday, August 19th, telling me what technique or class you would be most interested in learning from me. I'll announce the winner, chosen by random generator on Saturday August 20th, remember to stop back to see if you're a winner.

If you would like to take Painting Fabric for Wholecloth Quilts with me, there are still a few spots in my class at Create in Lisle, IL, next week, Wednesday, August 24th.

Now, so that no one feels like they are going away empty handed, I'm posting a tutorial on one of the binding techniques included in my dvd.


Making a couched binding.

Besides doing a faced binding, another way I like to finish artquilts is to couch twisted cords around the outside edge.  It's a simple, clean, but a little fancy, edge treatment.

After blocking and trimming the quilt, I lay out several yarns to audition them, choosing yarns that have similar colors to the painting.

The first thing I do to prevent any cut quilted threads from unraveling is do a straight stitch very close to the trimmed edge around the whole quilt. 

To add more of a gilded look befitting the renaissance theme of this quilt, I used a metallic gold thread and zig zag stitched around the edge of the quilt twice with a fairly tight stitch but not quite a satin stitch. Sometimes a dense satin stitch around the edge of a quilt can stretch it and make it ripple. I was not too concerned with making a solid gold edge around the quilt, just add some extra sparkle next to the couched cording. 

I attach the cords by holding them under the quilt and sew a few straight stitches to secure the yarns to the back side of the quilt. Using an open toe foot and monofilament in the top, and a coordinating thread in the bobbin, I hold the clockwise twisted yarns up against the outside edge of the quilt and zig zag over the twisted yarns and the edge of the quilt.

This is a slow process, because the yarns tend to get very twisted and tangled if you are not careful. I usually put a couple of the yarns in separate little baggies to try and keep them from rolling away and really making a mess. I start twisting the yarn clockwise down the first side of the quilt, working a few inches at a time, when I reach the corner, I twist the cords counter clockwise for the length of that side of the quilt. Then I twist them clockwise again on the next. Switching directions of the twist on each side, helps manage all the yarns and keep them from tangling up too much.

When I reach the beginning, I pull the yarns to the back and do some straight stitching over all the yarns to lock them in place and trim away the ends.

Ta da, a simple clean finish.

Next, head over to Kelli, Lyric and Melly's to see what they have in store for you!

Wed August 17 Kelli Nina Perkins 

Thurs August 18 Lyric Kinard 

Fri August 19 Melanie Testa 

PS If you haven't yet, you should also stop by

 Carla Sonhiem

 Diana Trout  

 Gloria Hansen 

 Tracie Lyn Huskamp 

 Jane LaFazio 

 Jill Berry 

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A Color Theory Testimonial

As the current class wraps up and I get ready to launch the next Color Theory Class, I wanted to share a wonderful note from one of my students describing her experience with the online color theory class.

First, I want to thank you for the wonderful lessons and recommended book. I took my time with the lessons and really tried to understand the material. I am a bit embarrassed to say I have been sewing for 20 years and am just now taking the time to explore color- in the proper way. And really take a look at the color wheel and UNDERSTAND it's use. Not just pick it up and take it to the store with me. Very sad how much I have been missing.

I have dyed fabric for the past few years and am amazed at how much this class will help me as well.

I was most intrigued by how much I loved the burnt sienna palette and never liked these colors before. Seeing how they interacted with each other was really lovely. it was another lesson on how I must try colors and not just rely on the safety of certain colors.

I do again thank you. I would recommend this class to one and all. I was intimidated by the thought of painting but I shouldn't have been. Because that just isn't the point.

With much more enthusiaism for color and appreciation of a great teacher

-Colleen

If you are interested in joining the next Color Theory Class click here for more details.

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Online Color Theory Class

next class begins May 23, 2011

9 week online course $60

Did you know the color choices you make can transform an average piece of artwork into something spectacular? Be surprised and delighted by the effects and illusions you can create by understanding the mysteries of color. In this hands-on experiential class you'll learn key color concepts with visual examples, mix new paint colors, and create helpful charts, all providing you with the tools you’ll need to see color in a whole new light.

Click here to see the Supply List

As part of this class you will start a color journal and learn to mix color using textile paints, creating charts to address the different color theory principles.

Lessons include:

The color wheel

Color Schemes

Tints, Shades and Tones

Value Color Studies

Complimentary Color

Transparency

The class website is designed for students to work at their own pace with each lesson accessible at any time. The lessons include color diagrams and examples with explanations of the different principles for working with color. After each lesson you will make a useful chart, from color swatches that you create by blending different colors of paint, to help you understand the concepts being covered each week. An accompanying online discussion group allows students to share work, get feedback and ask questions through out the class.

a testimonial from one of my recent color theory students:

First, I want to thank you for the wonderful lessons and recommended book. I took my time with the lessons and really tried to understand the material. I am a bit embarrassed to say I have been sewing for 20 years and am just now taking the time to explore color- in the proper way. And really take a look at the color wheel and UNDERSTAND it's use. Not just pick it up and take it to the store with me. Very sad how much I have been missing.

I have dyed fabric for the past few years and am amazed at how much this class will help me as well.

I was most intrigued by how much I loved the burnt sienna palette and never liked these colors before. Seeing how they interacted with each other was really lovely. it was another lesson on how I must try colors and not just rely on the safety of certain colors.

I do again thank you. I would recommend this class to one and all. I was intimidated by the thought of painting but I shouldn't have been. Because that just isn't the point.

With much more enthusiasm for color and appreciation of a great teacher

-Colleen

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IQF Houston Day 2- Color Theory

Wednesday I taught color theory.  I have had an online version of this class running for the last couple years, so it was very interesting to do the class for the first time to a room full of students. I really didn't know how much we would be able to accomplish in 6 hours considering the class usually runs 9-12 weeks online.

I had wonderful enthusiastic students who were eager to try out new color explorations, mixing paints to create color palettes for a number of charts.

I included 6 charts in the 16 page hand out and several students managed to complete 5 of them, which was more than I ever expected, since I also gave a powerpoint lecture, split into two parts for the morning and afternoon sessions.

It was a lot of information to absorb in only 6 hours, so I was thrilled when several students made a point to stop me, after class on the show floor over the next few days, to let me know how much they enjoyed it and learned in the class.

Many of us teach classes and workshops or have booths at festival and dinner together is such an important part of the day for us.  By the end of the day, we all have low blood sugar from not sitting down to rest or having time to eat a proper meal and needing to be focused on meeting the needs of our students or customers. It can be more depleting than I know I ever realize, until I stop and sit at the end of the day. 

Jamie and Leslie

Christine Adams and Rachel Perris

Carol Ann Sinnreich and Michelle Flores

Leslie Riley

Me and Melly

Next Color Theory Class starts June 7th

9 week online course $60
next class begins June 7, 2010

Did you know the color choices you make can transform an average piece of artwork into something spectacular? Be surprised and delighted by the effects and illusions you can create by understanding the mysteries of color. In this hands-on experiential class you'll learn key color concepts with visual examples, mix new paint colors, and create
helpful charts, all providing you with the tools you’ll need to see color in a whole new light.

Click here to see the Supply List

As part of this class you will start a color journal and learn to mix color using textile paints, creating charts to address the different color theory principles.

Lessons include:
The color wheel
Color Schemes
Tints, Shades and Tones
Value Color Studies
Complimentary Color
Transparency

The class website is designed for students to work at their own pace with each lesson accessible at any time. The lessons include color diagrams and examples with explanations of the different principles for using color. The site also includes online discussion throughout the class.

If you would like to join the class email me with Color Theory in the subject line.

Make a resolution for more creativity!

With the new year just a few days away, it's time many of us think about resolutions, what are we going to do this coming year to improve our life. Kick a habit, make a new one?

I think the best habits to make are the ones that involve creativity; learn a new skill, fine tune an old one, learn techniques to bring your ideas to life. Maybe make a commitment to draw something each day, even if it's just a doodle, create something new each week, finish something each month...or you could make a commitment to learn more about color.

Did you know the color choices you make can transform an average piece of artwork into something spectacular? Be surprised and delighted by the effects and illusions you can create by understanding the mysteries of color. In this hands-on experiential class you'll learn key color concepts with visual examples, mix new paint colors, and create helpful charts, all providing you with the tools you’ll need to see color in a whole new light.

The next Color Theory class starts January 18th, to see the supply list and find out how to enroll click here.

Seeing color theory in life

SPLIT COMPLIMENTS
This week at the grocery I saw these bright and fun flowers that I couldn't resist, how can you say no to bright yellow daisies with green centers and limey green and red-violet mums.This is a great example of a split complimentary color scheme; red violet, yellow and green.

Split compliments consist of a main color and the two colors on each side of its complimentary (opposite) color on the color wheel.


PRIMARY COLORS
Last night I looked out the window and saw this gorgeous sunset, predominantly in yellow, red (pink) and blue, these three colors make up the primary color triad on the color wheel. It is with these three colors in different combinations that create all the other colors. You can see examples of that here where the pink and blue have combined in the highest clouds are lovely purples and where the yellow and pink come together close to the horizon you see peachy and golden oranges.

Understanding the basics allows for endless possibilities. If you are interested in learning more, join the next online color theory class.

Sign up now for the next online Color Theory class

The next class begins September 8 and ends November 8th. If you would like more info or to join the class send me an email following the link on the class description page.