Color Inspiration from the World Around Us
As a quilter, choosing the right colors for your next project is a crucial step in the creative process. The right colors can make a quilt come alive, while the wrong colors can leave it feeling flat and lifeless. How many times have you picked a palette and started making up the quilt and realized halfway through that that palette just doesn’t work with that design. Now that quilt is added to the WIP pile and it may or may not ever get finished because it makes you sad just looking at it? Can you tell I’ve been there done that MANY times! But what if you could color your quilts digitally and make as many mockups your heart desires? Well, now you can with my new digital coloring page feature!
I came up with this idea because it’s simply part of my process anytime I make a quilt. The advantage I have though is that I have access to the vector files that I can use to make mockups. Honestly I usually make 10-15 mockups before I settle on a pallete. One night I was talking with my husband about how I wish there was a way that I could make this accessible to my customers because I’m sure it would alleviate a lot of stress and “guessing” when it came to choosing colors for a quilt. And thus, the idea was born! I am also very lucky my husband has a basic understanding of how to code so he was able to make this possible for all of YOU!
So now that you have the ability to color your quilts, I wanted to share my process of picking a palette. I get asked all the time how I choose my colors, and I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I steal. I steal from nature… Because If you ask me, nature has it ALL figured out. Nature has a way of blending and matching the best color combos out there and it is hands down the best way to find beautiful and cohesive colors for any quilt.
Choose the Photo
I draw my color inspiration directly from nature. This Bristlecone Pine mockup was made by extracting colors from a photo my husband took when we visited Big Bend National Park. You might not realize how much pink is actually in this photo until you begin extracting the colors. Now when I look at the mockup, it is a great representation of a desert sunset!
Extract the Colors
My favorite feature of the new digital coloring page on my site is the color extraction tool. You can take any photo and use the dropper to extract the colors directly from the photo! It might look different depending on the browser you are using, but they will all do the same function. This example is shown using Safari which is the optimal browser for the digital coloring pages.
Consider the Mood
When pulling colors from photos of nature, it's important to consider the mood and tone you want to convey in your quilt. For example, a photo of a tropical beach might inspire bright and cheerful colors, while a photo of a misty forest might inspire more muted and subdued colors. This photo example was taken on a moody evening at the Mission Inn Hotel. When I extracted the colors from this photo, the quilt mockup now reflects that mood.
Be Bold
Nature Does not always mean neutrals. I tend to lean more toward earthy tones, but if you prefer lots of color, there is plenty of that found in nature as well! This photo was taken during a trip my family took to the Caribbean. It is an excellent example of how nature is full of color.
Think Outside the Box
I think this is my favorite example of them all. If I told you to try to make a palette of the night sky, that might be a little challenging. I know for sure purple, pink and orange are not the first colors that pop in my mind. But now looking at this mockup, it immediately evokes this feeling that I’m staring up at the night sky!
Nature is a beautiful and abundant source of color inspiration. From the bright lively tones of a tropical macaw to the rich moody hues of the night sky, nature provides an endless variety of color combinations to draw from. Pulling colors from photos of nature is an excellent way to create a beautiful and harmonious color palette. So next time you're looking for color inspiration, consider turning to the beauty of nature to create a stunning color palette for your quilt.
I hope you enjoy the new digital coloring feature!