Color selection. It's a critical component of every card design. Or scrapbook page. There are so many ways to select your colors. Use a color wheel. Read books on formulas. And, best of all, just copy the colors you see on a project that you like!
They all work. But sometimes, we tire of what we've always done. Like cooking. Don't you get bored your regular menu? Well, I love to experiment with different color combinations, but I get stuck on the usual choices. Just as I need to mix it up a little in the kitchen (no pun intended), I need to mix things up with my color selection!
Well, I don't just mix. My secret technique is … smooshing! Here is how it works.
I have samples of every color of my card stock – each is 3" x 3". I place the cards on my work surface, and smoosh them around, mixing them up. I pick up one piece of card stock that catches my attention, then pull other colors to see how they look next to it. It starts out almost random, but soon I will narrow in on my favorite choices. Since the card stock pieces are all the same size, no color can dominate. And if I can't find what I like, I smoosh again. With this method, I can always pull together colors that I have never combined before.
Now, there are some little tricks, but here is the once I use most. So, if I colors that are close, either in brightness (the amount of white in the color) or value (the amount of black in a color), then I add a neutral to separate them. Pretty simple.
That's it! You'll never have a color worry again.
And smooshing is liberating. I think it's the simple, physical act of mixing the card stock. (I believe it burns calories almost as well as a cardio workout!) Plus, I ignore the Color Collections, the color wheel, and any theory that inhibits my creativity. I can pick colors that many consider to be "clashing", and make them work well on a card or scrapbook page. If you don't believe me, look through some of my older posts. You will be surprised. (In one of my classes, we made a card with Riding Hood Red and Tangerine Tango. It was gorgeous!)
How do you choose colors for your projects? Leave me a comment and let me know.
And the next time you're stuck choosing colors for your card design, try smooshing. You'll be glad that you did!
Until next time,
Happy Stamping!
Sandi
Well, I don’t think you will burn a lot of calories … but I find that every little bit helps!
Thanks!
This is great!! Smooooooshing!! A most excellent technique!! I confess to falling victim to “color rut” and this will definitely fling me straight out of it — can’t wait to give it a try! Especially if it’s also going to burn calories! Woo hoo!!