One of the tools in my toolbelt is to choose a limited palette and work with it. One of the issues that used to stymie me was that as a fabric dyer, I could literally have any color I wanted – the overwhelming amount of choices would freeze me. I discovered the joy of working with a limited palette 3+ years ago as I began making quArt. I worked with my warm palette for quite a long time, and found it very freeing!
The point is that I can work with these colors in all different modes of textile art, the work in one area feeds the work in another! I still love working with these colors, but my very first custom bag customer asked for a red bag – turns out she was actually talking about the deep dark orange I use, but I dyed some lovely red canvas, and made her bag:
Which was lovely…but I wanted to come up with a new set of colors that brings out the cools tones of red, thus my “cool” palette:
Well, this is all a long way to say that I’m contemplating another set of colors: There’s a certain plum and dark tealy-turquoise I’ve been trying to dye, and I finally hit on the what I’m looking for. Here’s a 1st glance at another palette I’m calling the Jewels:
I can’t wait to see what I can make with this!
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Oh yes, that’s a beautiful palette!
My goodness yes – by all means add that one!
Love it!!!
OH GREAT…….it was hard enough to pick between cool and warm for my tote, now I have to choose between this one too!!!!!!! Your killing me Candy. They are all too beautiful!!
Oh my, how I love these colors and the lovely things you’ve made.
-beautiful palette.
They are all such lovely combinations, and you work so well with each selection. Looking forward to what you come up with now.
Gorgeous post! I’ve studied it numerous times over to fully appreciate the colors and products. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t wait to see what you come up with in these jewel tones. I adore playing with color 🙂
i couldn’t agree more about working with limited palettes! i think working with less actually promotes more creativity, whether with palettes or tools or materials… i find that it allows me to assess what i’ve got quickly and then get down to the business of dreaming and making. too much to choose from and i dither way too much and sometimes don’t even get started.
your palettes are gorgeous by the way, and so are your pieces!
Your work is AMAZING! I just found your blog thru Aimee’s and the fb journal group … very glad I did! I am finding limiting myself helps so much (though I still tend to buy and hoard things).
I completely agree. I teach kids’ art classes and I will generally make them choose 3 colors – 1 main color and 2 secondary colors. It really helps them focus.
I absolutely *love* your work. And those jewels will be perfect in the autumn and winter months.