Art Quilting Basics Part 5-Color

So far in this series, we have covered backgrounds, foregrounds, and inspiration. I’ve given you the tip of the iceberg for each of those; there is lots more! I’m always looking for simple ways to help people get over the hurdle of getting started. I definitely like the more advanced techniques too, still gathering ideas for a Simple Secrets class Part Two! Things like creating a pattern from a photo, or using Inktense, the possibilities are endless! But my biggest thing is still getting people over the hurdles of getting started.
Color can definitely be one of those hurdles, right? My kits are popular partly because the fabrics are already chosen for you. (Most are available as pattern only though, if you want to try your own! Still need to work on the collage ones. But they also have loooots of different fabrics, so that’s another reason kits are handy! 😅)
I could probably do a whole class just on color. I love color theory, and learning principles that make it easier to choose them. For this email though, I’m just going to give you a couple of tricks secrets hacks (still need a new word… you guys had some good ideas, but I feel like the perfect one is still out there…🤪) to simplify the process! If you look closely at almost anything I’ve made, you will notice that I like to use gradations of color and value, sometimes both. That basically means that I don’t put anything next to anything else that isn’t similar, except for the main subject; that needs contrast. But for backgrounds, there usually is never a big jump between fabrics, but more of a smooth transition. But even simpler than that is to use either a monochromatic color scheme, or black and white plus a pop of color. All three of these are beginner friendly ways of choosing colors. And they can still look great! All of the ideas I’m giving you are ways to make art quilting easier, but that doesn’t mean not as good. They can still be quite effective. The vast majority of my hundreds of art quilts use these basic principles, including all of the ones that have been in magazines 😊
Here are a few examples of the three methods I mentioned: gradation of color and/or value, monochromatic (shades of one color), and black and white with a pop of another color.
I hope that helps give you some confidence to choose the colors for your next project! Remember, small ones are a great way to try something with little risk of time and materials, although it’s never wasted no matter what. And again, this is just the tip of the iceberg! I’m still working on a plan for a more guided version of my Simple Secrets for Starting Art Quilting class. I’m trying to decide between a concentrated 6 ish weeks or spreading it out over a whole year, with maybe one lesson, a live Zoom, and a project per month. Any opinions?
Still traveling, looking forward to getting back to work soon! (And I’m so thankful I can say that! Mondays are seriously my favorite day of the week, I love this a lot 😂)
Happy sewing! Beret