Approaching Subtle
When asked about your thoughts on contrast in your work, do you think about your range of contrast or whether your work has high contrast? How about when asked about color saturation or texture?
When talking about concepts that are representative of a range of possibilities in design—contrast, saturation, size, texture, etc.—we often think of those terms as representing one end of the range of possibilities, or maybe more precisely put, what we think is the better outcome. By doing so, though, we may be cutting ourselves off from other wonderful possibilities.
Let’s look at contrast as our example. I think most people assume that with contrast, the broader or bigger the differences the better. It’s true that higher contrast creates more visual energy, but that isn’t necessarily a good thing. As always, it goes back to your intention. If you want a piece to be calm or dreamy, high contrast and high energy is not going to relay that very well. Sometimes, subtlety is what’s called for.
Look at the bezeled polymer cabochons in the opening image by Phyllis Cahill. The highest contrast we have here is with those white spots against the pale colors. The evenness of the bezels edge does contrast against the irregular lines in the polymer but that’s also fairly subtle. The cool feel of the color palette borders on warmth as the greens turned yellow but that barely registers. Still, there is some energy in these, in part from the subtle contrast but mostly in the way the element of line shows movement where the watercolor she uses spreads from one section to another. Overall though, Phyllis used elements in simple and subtle ways and it works wonderfully.
Subtlety doesn’t come just in the form of general design elements either. Being subtle is also a choice when using imagery. Creating literal and clear translations of imagery can be beautiful but it leaves less room for the viewer to insert their own thoughts, interpretations, and experiences. Blurring lines, merging shapes and leaving out details allows us to fill in the rest with our own recollections.
I’ve always admired Lorraine Vogel’s work for this reason. She works a lot with floral and leafy imagery but you rarely get the whole flower or the whole leaf. What you do get is elegantly minimalized, inviting you to stay and fill in the rest with your own imagery.
So keep your range of options in mind. When thinking contrast, consider how much energy you want the contrast to add to a piece. When considering color saturation, keep pastels and neutrals in mind. When choosing textures, of course you have many types but even a particular type can be lightly textured if that will better fulfill the intention. And when contemplating imagery, ask yourself how detailed it needs to be.
In other words, it’s not, “Do I have enough contrast, saturation, detail…?” The question is, “How much do I need or want?
The thing is, I’m sure we all know we have these ranges of choice, but do we contemplate the full range when we are working? Sometimes we just need a reminder to look at all our options and, maybe, challenge ourselves to work outside our norm.
Last Week’s Giveaway
Okay, we have another winner to announce from last week’s giveaway!
This last week’s randomly chosen winner was Nicky Moxey! She’s in the UK so I’m sending her a gift certificate. We’ll just have to have another giveaway next month to give that clay away.
I have to point out a fabulous comment Nicky made regarding the work she’s been doing on contrast in colors and thin layers of clay … “I’m making a lot of happy mistakes,” she wrote. That is the attitude! We learn more from our mistakes than our successes and often come upon some of our greatest discoveries when we “slip up”. I just love to hear comments like that!
Congrats Nicky!
This Week’s Giveaway
Thank you to everyone who took part in last week’s giveaway through comments on the post. So, once again, let’s do this!
The Goodies:
- This week I have a multi-pack set of Premo and Souffle plus a set of pearling tools (I LOVE these pearling tools!) and a two sheet texture set with 7 textures. This is worth $49 and you can’t get these multi-packs much of anywhere right now. So here’s your chance!
- If outside the US, I have a $35 Tenth Muse certificate, since it would be such a gamble to ship clay outside the US.
How to Win:
- Put a comment in the blog comments* (below), telling me what design element you think you need to pay more attention to– marks, lines, color, shapes, form, size, or texture? You can leave a one word comment or an explanation of what you want to work on with that particular element. Remember, not only are you getting a chance to win some goodies, you’re taking the time to stop and consider how to improve your own work.
- Note: It can take some time for a comment to appear if you’ve not commented before since, due to annoying spamming, I may have to approve it .
- Giveaway winners will be chosen by random—it will NOT be based on your answers.
- And let’s say you can only win once this month so we can spread the love around.
- Get your comments posted by Wednesday March 24th at midnight Pacific time to get in for the raffle.
- I’ll announce the winner here on the blog next weekend!
I’ll put together yet another pack of goodies for a giveaway in next weekend’s post, so stay tuned here!
You can support this blog by buying yourself a little something at Tenth Muse Arts or, if you like…
Awesome as usual! I would like to work on texture. I tend to either texture or not texture and I need t play with combining textures and playing with perceived texture.
Size matters! I have trouble getting my ideas – whether it’s a skinner blend or a design, in the proper proportion to the item i have planned. Trying to get the idea represented small enough for earrings or pendants
I need to focus on shapes and size. I love big jewelry but that can get too clunky. I also get bored with geometric shapes. I prefer wonky off kilter shape. I want them to look asymmetrical without looking off. It’s a challenge.
Form is what I need to pay more attention to.
I usually think in terms of color first, then use texture or lines/marks to further refine a design. I actually never really thought about that until now, so thank you!
Definitely texture.
Size. My freeform pendants seem to be growing, growing, growing. No one wants to wear a dinner plate. I need to rein it in a bit.
Love this ❣️ 😂🤣😂…My problem as well! I need to have Giants as Buyers 🤣😂🤣.
Have started working on vessels mainly ring bowls. Am working towards larger pieces and bowl foot design
Kim
Definitely color. I need to broaden my choices. Not using the same color palette all the time
Texture!
Color. I tend to use complementary colors. Subtly is what I would like to work towards. Maybe blending those complements more.
For me , it’s marks. I love the individuality it adds, but I need to practice designing and executing. They never come out the way I envision.
Contrast. I tend to go for high contrast and highly saturated colors. Creating more subdued pieces sometimes would be a good change of pace.
Color! I love color, but I’m not always happy with my choices.
I really need to work on size. I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate smaller sizes with more design. I always have my sheet of beautiful clay and never want to cut it up, losing some of the design.
I believe form and shape, because that’s usually what I look at when I buy anything.
I think Color
Textures for me. The slimy fish or the gnarly barnacles, to touch or not to touch
Focus, I need more focus. I’m all over the place trying new techniques. ADD has taken me over I think 😲🥴🤪😁.
I need help with texturizing. When I first started learning about polymer clay and artists were talking about texture, I thought, yuch! I just want it smooth and matte. Now I realize that texture is so important – it makes people want to reach out and touch a piece. Unfortunately, I am having a hard time using stamps or texture plates. The imprint is too fine, or despite using cornstarch, the clay sticks. I tried to run a piece of clay through the pasta machine with a piece of 80 grit sandpaper – I now have a lovely clay covered piece of sandpaper!
Thank you Sage, for all you do for the polymer community. I look forward to your weekly blog posts.
Work more with line. Lately grids are my thing. Also size. I’d like to explore making large pieces of wearable jewelry.
Thanks!!
Sometimes I get so excited by learning a new technique, I let that take over rather than making good design choices. But that usually becomes obvious pretty quickly and I can integrate the new in with older more established knowledge. It’s so good to still get excited that I don’t often mind the temporary excesses.
I have been working on and still need help with color. I’m not a natural artist. I wish my eye would see it the way my mind sees it. I’ve worked thru so many different color courses and I’m still not picking it up naturally. I find myself having to rely on artists’ groupings. Hopefully some day!!!
I really like the shape of the tear drop. It can easily be used fdor prndanr, earring, etc, I think size is important. Some pendants are really huge and I feel it takes much away from the person wearing it. Just my opinion. Joan
I think I’ve been trying to control for much of these at once and have lost some of the joy. I’m taking a step back to give attention to a few at a time right now.
I need to include more dots, spots, & circles.
Line. Line can be really strong and impact how the eye travels through a piece. It feels hard to control but I just need to pay attention
Texture. Since its everywhere but we often don’t notice.
Texture, texture, texture. I need to explore and play with texture, and the life it brings to a project.
Texture, texture, texture. I need to explore and play more with texture, as it brings so much life to a project.
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I want to work on form and texture when I get back to work on pendants.
My first thought was contrast, but in reality, I need to work more on the form: where is the eye going? What size and shape do I think works best with the piece.
Actually, I think we all can improve on all of your messages. I took Loretta Lam’s design workshop at Clayathon and was amazed at how much I DIDN’T know.
This would have been wonderful Lorrene. I love her latest book. Mwah from here.
I need to work on color choices. I often work in monochromatic colors, all blues or all yellows in one piece. Need to work more thoughtfully about contrast.
Color…color can come in so many forms from beautiful metallic to the subtle natural hues. Each form reaches out and adds its own beauty to our piece of art.
Color, color, color. Just when I think I’m making progress something goes wrong! LOL
Line and color are my biggest challenges in all my work.
Design Focus and Movement
Form and shape are things I need to work on. I love the more organic shapes, but hesitate to stretch to far beyond the geometric for my own work.
Marks. That is what I want to focus on more.
Scale – It’s easy for me to get too large. I’m laughing here. Am I talking about my work or my eating??
Color, I need to branch out and use more variety.
I love Phyllis Cahill’s work! Subtle is her byword much of the time. Her color choices always please me. I tend to be blasting bright, so maybe toning things down and working for that subtle contrast would be a good thing. Maybe!
My goal is to feel more comfortable with polymer. I have taken some online classes during the pandemic and need to apply what I learned to the clay. This needs lots of practice. And I am committed to try until the polymer becomes natural and easy in my hands. So far I just love this medium.
Hello gorgeous Sage, for me, that question was a great reminder:
In other words, it’s not, “Do I have enough contrast, saturation, detail…?” The question is, “How much do I need or want?
The inner critic asks HAVE YOU GOT ENOUGH and the inner encourager asks, WHAT DO YOU NEED TO SAY WHAT YOU WANT HERE?
The focal point
I think I need to work on color (contrast) and size.
Shapes! I want to venture out from circles. Figuring out what goes with what. Mostly, get out of my circle comfort zone!
Me too! But that’s because I only have circle cutter. Lol. I am TERRIBLE with cutting my own shapes! I have one shape that I liked so I made a polymer clay blank with it and use it as a templet. Lol
When I first started with clay, I had very little contrast and it made my pieces dull. As I learn more about contrast, my work has improved. Thanks
Loved your examples that you used here as I definitely get bogged down in details when trying to make realistic creatures. So I think I need to work on contrast of form and texture… thanks for a great post!
So cool that you would post this exercise just as I have decided to give myself a challenge! I have a book called Elements and Principles of Design, Student Guide with Activities by Crystal Productions. I wondered how difficult and challenging it would be to create each element and principle in the form of polymer clay. I had not decided yet which element or principle to begin with, but reading your post has inspired me to make Contrast my first! I have noticed in my work that I tend to focus too much on making stark contrasts. It is a challenge for me to create in subtle tones, and I am looking forward to what I come up with! Thank you!
Instead of running headlong into a new project, I need to think about the elements of design before seriously beginning. . I feel still so limited in skills that I don’t explore all design elements to the fullest I think perhaps just emphasizing one at a time is the right way to grow.
Instead of running headlong into a new project, I need to be still and consider the elements of design before seriously beginning. . I feel still so limited in skills that I don’t explore all design elements to the fullest I think perhaps just emphasizing one at a time is the right way to grow.
Coordinating colors has always been my nemesis !
I feel like I’m color challenged, so that’s what I NEED to work on. I love texture, so I have been exploring ways to bring more organic texture to my work.
Form and color!
Your blog on contrast made me question my own color patterns (which tend to be very subtle – maybe too subtle) and when I tried using some unusually bright colors in work this week I was very pleasantly surprised by the results. Thanks for pushing us all to look at our work in new ways.
I’m brand new to polymer clay and art in general and discovered your blog last week. I’ve read several articles and am learning left and right. Everything is new. I love color and texture.
I often take the same colors, like black and white, green, lilac or earth-tones. So i like to try other color combinations. I will also look more for the size, sometimes it´s also for giants- i like it for myself or i make really small pieces. So i take now the in- between size. There are so many different possibilities, it´s really hard to decide.
I would like to thank you for the great work, i ordered in november books and print journals, they arrived to my birthday in december, so it was a great gift for myself and i like to look through and learn so much more. I live in East-Germany and there are no connections with other people. Greetings from Leipzig, Germany and take care
I have only been making necklaces since I retired, and it’s been fabulous allowing my creative juices to flow. It’s all about learning to trust my choices, and when I make “ bad ones “ to look at why. For a while I made things I thought others would like but now I make what I like , so am much happier. It’s only by trying, making mistakes and learning from them that you can move on and be happy with what you create. I have a drawerful of things I don’t like, but each one tells a story about how much I have learned, and continue to move forward in my journey. Even though I am 76 we are never too old to learn, discover and create!
Jill
I am terrified of texture and love it just as much!
I never feel that I will know which direction to start or when to end, not that that even makes sense. Lol
I am just as afraid of color, I can’t seem to figure out what’s warm and what’s cool. My own wardrobe tells that same story! All of my shirts are either black or red, well two are grey. I do have a light peachy color shirt but only wore it to play golf, many moons ago. Living in the Texas heat gives me the same problem with black shirts and the summer heat, you can’t go much more wrong than that!
Both keep me in the grips of confinement when it comes to my art. Black, blue and metallics are always my fall back.
I do have some two oz packs of colored clay but am so afraid I’ll go wrong using them that they sit on the shelf and just look pretty, right beside a basket of opened packs that I started to work worth and scared my own self out of. But I have lots of pretty swirl beads. Lol
With all of that said, I have made some very beautiful pieces, in all colors. But each was a one time making, usually messing around with baggies of scraps, and all became very special gifts to the ones I love!
I would like to work on color combinations & building techniques to make my work more professional.
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