Color Theory and Bargello Needlepoint
I’m one of those people who tend to cringe at the mention of color theory. Although I make color choices every time I plan a new needlepoint project or change colors for a project that’s underway, there’s still this tiny bit of stress about getting the proper balance of color.
While I probably will never be a color expert, there are a few general color scheme rules I’ve been taught to follow, and they have saved me a lot of stress and grief when stitching bargello; so here is the first of several posts on using color when stitching bargello needlepoint. My hope is that you will gain a new tip or two as you experiment with color in your designs.
Understanding Color
When speaking of color, the average stitcher tends to get confused about basic color theory rules and terminology. To better understand all the jargon, here are some common terms and their definitions.
Color is a blend of hue, value and intensity.
The Color Wheel is made up of the primary, secondary and tertiary colors and is represented by 12 sections that look like pie slices on the wheel.
Primary Colors are stand-alone colors that are not a mixture of other colors. Red, yellow and blue are the primary colors.
Secondary Colors are made when two primary colors are mixed together; for example: blue and yellow (primary colors) when mixed together make green (a secondary color).
Tertiary Colors are made by mixing a primary color with a secondary one; for example: red and orange when mixed make red-orange.
Hue is the actual name of a color such as “blue”.
Value is how light or dark a color appears.
Intensity is the brightness of a color.
Tint is color with white added.
Shade is color with black added.
Tone is color with gray added.
Color Temperature is either warm or cool. On the color wheel, warm colors range from yellow-green to red to red-violet. Cool colors range from yellow- green to blue to red-violet. Yellow-green and red-violet can be both warm and cool depending on the colors surrounding them that you choose to use in your project.
Monochromatic Color Scheme. One of the easiest color schemes to use when stitching bargello needlepoint is the monochromatic color scheme. This scheme is based on one color but uses that color’s tints where white is added, shades that have varying amounts of black added, and tones with gray added to the color.
The colors and design of decorative Bargello needlepoint for the home should both highlight and complement whatever surrounds it. Complementary colors are fun to stitch in Bargello needlepoint, especially when using bold primary or secondary colors because they bring greater contrast, balance and completeness to a Bargello design.
The analogous color scheme uses colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. The beauty of this color scheme is that the more colors you use the more interesting the effect—especially if you use four or more colors with one primary color for additional interest.
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1sue dulle
wrote on 9 April 2009 at 8:44
I’m with you on the stress of picking colors…I envy those people who claim to put their hand in a pile of threads and work with what comes out…they must have large hands.
So far I am with you and understand the definitions. I look forward to reading your color scheme rules…
2Bargello Love
wrote on 9 April 2009 at 17:08
Thanks, Sue. Writing about color helps me to understand it better myself.