Originally posted 2006-06-27 22:18:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
I got the apricot needlecase finished last night. I’m really delighted with the result.
All too often when you are making something which has a restricted color palette, the result is dull. This could be the case here, but it isn’t.
There are several things you can do to prevent dullness.
1. Make sure you select threads with a variety of finishes, even if they are only subtly different. The threads used here have three levels of shine. Impressions and JL Walsh silk/wool are matte. They are the base texture and are used in the majority of the piece. Two kinds of stranded silk are used, they are the middle level of texture and are used less than the matte threads, but still used throughout. Neon Rays is the top level of texture and is used as an accent, in only two patches.
Depending on the thread you chose, your base level might be much more shiny than mine, but you should still have a main, secondary and accent; otherwise the needlepoint is too busy. Ditto on colors.
2. Choose colors in different textures which match. In this case the Neon Rays matches one of the stranded silks.
3. At least one of the secondary colors should be considerably different in saturation (brighter in a dull palette, dull in a bright one) than the prevailing level of saturation. This makes that color an accent.
To sum it up, the key to making a monochromatic or almost monochromatic palette work is the accent. The accent texture is shiny, and is Neon Rays. The accent color is cream and is only obviously used as a background in one patch. The accent saturation is bright and is found in the hot pink patches. When you look at the piece you find your eye drawn to the patches which have these accents, enlivening the entire piece and making it fun.
Today I’m planning on starting the next model, the Violets Are Blue scissors case. I have all these fun purple threads to play with!
Related posts:
[...] Finished Needlecase [...]