Th e Hero vs. Th e Villain
Color Prompt
Th e goal of the following
prompt is to learn how to use
complementary colors with
confi dence.
A complementary color scheme
uses colors that are exactly opposite
each other on a 12-step color wheel.
The contrast between them is so great
that one color makes the other color
appear more intense than it would
otherwise.
See if you can use a
complementary color scheme to
make one color the hero or star and
the other the villain or sidekick.
(Think main idea or focal point
and background or support in a
composition.)
Now, using those same colors, can
you reverse which is the hero and
which is the villain?
DIRECTIONS
Begin the exercise
- Identify two colors that are opposite
on the color wheel. Create a
composition where one color stands
out and becomes the main idea—
the hero. Use the complementary or
opposite color on the wheel—the
villain or sidekick—to exaggerate
this outcome. How does that
work? Explore value—lights and
darks—within those two colors. Be
intentional but don’t overthink it by
trying to make something pretty or
good. Remember, play fearlessly! - Choose a size to work with—I
like to work small at
5" x 7"—and cut out a base for
the design exercise. Use felt,
batting, stabilizer, or even paper.
Fuse or glue a 5" x 7" piece
of fabric—one of your chosen
colors—to the base to create a
background.
3. Gather some scraps. If you are a
fuser, this is a great place to use
up all those leftover pre-fused
bits you saved. Have an iron
and pressing sheet handy. If you
don’t fuse, grab a glue stick and
construct your study with that.
Tips for Play
Keep these tips in mind as you
work with this exercise.
Hold tightly to the idea that ...- Th is is time to STUDY a
concept. - Th is valuable time spent
learning, growing, and
exercising your creative
muscle will lead to better
‘good art’ in the futur e.
Let go of the idea that you ... - Have to make a masterpiece
or even anything good. - Are wasting materials.
- Are wasting time or that you
have to be perfect.
develop a better sense of how you—
as a unique and individual artist—
relate to color. I only ask that you
bring an attitude of fearless and
playful exploration to the table.
Lyric makes up many bases in
advance—with background fabric
fused on each—so she can make
several compositions in a
sitting. These bases will
be used in future articles
of this series.