I am often asked how I choose color combinations for the cards I make. It’s often times the foundation for a card but is sometimes the hardest to tie down. Today, I am going to walk you through the color decisions for a card I made. I decided to “document” the steps for you. Mind you, this is only one way to choose colors. You can simply start with a color you want to showcase or work with a color challenge from a blog site. There are many ways to build a color palette.
Before we get started, here’s the final card from yesterday. This is the card that results from the steps below. Here’s yesterday’s card.
- Pick a Designer Series Paper Design. I wanted to make a sympathy card using the gorgeous sentiment from Best of Greetings. I flipped through my Designer Series Paper Swatch Books until I found a set of papers that matched the softness I wanted to showcase with my card.
- Determine the page you want to use by flipping through the handy-dandy swatch book. My initial instinct was to use one of the pages with Tangerine Tango on them, but I was really drawn to this page that features the light green shades.
- To find out what color that was, I flipped my book over and looked at the colors listed on the back. Through my powers of deduction (I’m very sleuth-like), I scanned the list and determined that Pistachio Pudding was the principal color in the pattern I like. Incidentally, there are traces of Island Indigo in that pattern but not enough (in my opinion) to highlight with a border.
- Now that I’ve determined my color (Pistachio Pudding), I retrieve my Color Coach from the top shelf in my workspace. A little bit later, I’m going to explain why you need to invest in a new Color Coach, but for now, let’s just keep going through the steps.
- I flip to Pistachio Pudding in the 2013-2015 In Colors section of the Color Coach.
- I turn the page over to see some recommended color combinations using Pistachio Pudding. Pistachio Pudding, Baked Brown Sugar and Crisp Cantaloupe. Ding! Ding! Ding!
Why You Need a New Color Coach. I’ve heard some soft griping about the new color coach. Who wants to invest in a new book just because the color families were refreshed this year? I do! Here’s the thing – if you don’t order a new one, you are missing out on all the gorgeous combinations for new and returning colors. What goes well with Bermuda Bay? Smoky Slate? You’ll never know. And your current Color Coach cards are referencing old colors. For example, the Early Espresso (still a current color) card might reference Baja Breeze (sadly, not a current color) as a good combination. Do you really want to be constantly reminded that Baja Breeze was retired? To buy a new Color Coach, please click here.
Swatch Books. It’s not too late to order a set of these adorable (and ever-so-handy) swatch books. To learn more, click here.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
Well Brian, you offer some very convincing points regarding the advantages of a Color Coach. I didn’t know I needed one. Creative and sluthey is a lethal combination! Thank you for taking us through your creative process. Another look at this elegant card is a bonus!
Ha ha! No I supposed I don’t want to be reminded I can’t reach for a retired color after I’ve exhausted my supply. Good point! And still loving this card!
Brian, that’s a beautiful card! Thanks so much for sharing your “Pick a Color” process. I was never really interested in the Color Coach before, but now I can see how it can work so well with your Swatch books. Dynamite tools together!
We must of been doing mind games because yesterday I was going through my Color Coach to finish up color choices for my Swap card and said to myself . “I am going to have to get a new Color Coach ” I use my Color Coach a lot . I use mine a lot to compare colors to each other . And the Swatch Books are are great to help me not only pick out a dsp but let me know what colors are in it . Have you counted all the blues and blue greens this year ? The Color Coach is almost as important to me as my much loved Dimensionals . And I have used it for color combinations to kinda get out of a stuck place when I can`t decide what colors would work best . My Coach still has Poppy Parade in it . I guess a new one goes on my Wish List . Enjoyed this presentation this morning . You are right to bring these items to the forefront now that the new colors ,dsp, and catty are new arrivals . Well done , Brian ….Bravo !!
Usually I just sit with my DSP and go through colors. My Ott light is wonderful for checking color matches. Master sleuth that you are, you gave a great explanation of why I need a Color Coach. I’ve avoided purchasing one for several years now, but I can see what a great help it will be. Thanks for pointing out the benefits of this handy little tool. And I love your card – absolutely beautiful. Well done you!
HI Brian:
I pretty much live by my color coach. When colors are retired I pull them out of the pack and put them on a chain. I still want to have the retired cards because I still have supplies but, knowing those supplies won’t last forever, I don’t want to mix them with the most up-to-date and then be disappointed when I find something I want to do but don’t have the supplies. Geez – did that make sense? LOL
Meanwhile, I would appeal to SU to include a few more oranges, browns and yellows into the spectrum. There are tons of reds, blues, greens, etc. but not enough of the aforementioned IMO.
good idea Grace 😉
Great art Brian! I got my DSP share and love it, thanks for doing this!!
Julie
Funny–I start with my swatches from Brian King too!
Love them, Brian!
And I am also a color coach fan! Who knew 🙂
Love that you brought the Color Coach up front, Brian! I got my new In Color Color Coach and it’s priceless! Wonderful process to use when making a card! I, too get stuck many times. These work wonders! And absolutely stunning card, by the way! Love Pistachio Pudding!
Love the card and colors…and here I just assumed that you just put together what you like, and what goes well together…which is what I like to do! But now up I will consider getting a color coach….obviously it would speed up color choosing and design. Thanks, Brian!
I don’t ALWAYS use the color coach (or even DSP). This is just ONE way I do things. I love it, too, when things just “come together”.
You are brilliant! (I will let you guess why) And thanks for reminding me that I need to add the new color coach to my next order!
I better go check out the Color Coach … (smile).
You are quickly becoming my “go to” person for all things SU! 🙂 Keep it up, new friend!
I am looking at the Color Coach cards in my catalog (the one with the picture frame and legs on the front.) On page 139 it says the Color Coach is “New.” Does that mean it includes the 2013-2015 and 2012-2014 colors as well? Would I only need to buy those two additions if I owned an older version of the Color Coach? Or do I need to order all three for my first time out here? Thanks so much for your help.
I recommend getting all three so that you have all the new collection colors and no references to retired colors.
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