Getting the Look You Want
Figurative and landscape quilts can be challenging to create from the standpoint of selecting the color palette from our fabric stash. Buying fresh fabric isn’t necessarily the answer.
Do we select a palette based on what we see out there, or one that reflects what we feel about the subject. Maybe we want a bolder, more dramatic version. Perhaps instead of nature’s light, we want a more dusty look. Using a computer generated palette as a starting point, you can tweak tweak away.
my Superstition Mtn view
Pueblo Traces
Big Huge Labs provides a free color palette generator at its site and results are just two clicks away. Select a photo file from your computer then hit Create.
Abstract Art – This palette generator should help me work quickly and with confidence when I transform a landscape vista to an abstract treatment. Three years ago I struggled to interpret the Superstition Mountain view from my studio window to a realistic workable art quilt. During construction, the palette was constantly changing and the view point ended up being an aerial view. My husband noticed the resemblance to an outline of an ancient pueblo village so we named it Pueblo Traces. I love the results I achieved!
Here’s what was generated for 2 figure and landscape photos I sampled.
myself, Gina
Saguaro Lake, AZ
One Small Problem – I did find that small bits of color in photographs are not always picked up by the palette generator software.
But for me, selecting the accent colors is what adds zest to my art. My favorites are jewel tones.
Watch for my next post, October 1 – Libra Quilters Horoscope
