The Value of Black & White - Part II - Off The Wall Friday

 Black and White #2, Kay Sorensen

Figure/Ground Study #3, Sandra Palmer Ciolino

So with my latest lesson on value, I've fallen in love with the monochromatic palette of White through Black.  I admit, I never thought I would.  I mean with all the gorgeous colors in the world why stick to only Black and White?  Not to mention, SHOW OF HANDS, who here became a quilter because it was just an extension of coloring left over from childhood?

That all said, I had a thoroughly fun time doing my latest Project, Cropped.  Katie asked us to crop a photo and recreate it in only black, gray and white paying specific attention to the values.  Once I got the crop right (thanks again for all the help), the piece wasn't too hard.  But I do love how it came out!




                                                  

Legends Never Die, Maria Dlugosch

                                         

Cropped, Nina-Marie Sayre

Here's my self critique -

• This is a diagonal cruciform composition using a monochromatic palette
•  A visual pathway is created though the quilt, with the darkest of darks leading the eye
• There is plenty of variety of shapes as well as negative space to rest the eye.
• The palette chosen reflects the nostalgic mood of the piece.
• The photo has been cropped to show a more interesting portrayal of  the original.
• The focal point - although having contrast - could have even more emphasis.  Is it the O or is it the W? Or is the star?  UGH?!  (there is always something isn't there!)

Star Dreams of Snow, Kari Anderson, @andersondesignworks

Zen, Beth Schellenberger

Still I don't know what was more fun with this piece - doing the actual work to see the finish product or researching all the signs!  With all the new super bright In-Your-Face LED signs out there yelling at us to "Like Us on Facebook" - I really do miss these retro masterpieces  of an era not so long ago.

Anyways, before I get even more melancholy, Cropped has started me looking  at what other quilters have done with this particular palette.  And let me tell you - there is some AMAZING work out there.  A few artists have granted permission to share some here!  I have included links to their online presence so you can check out the rest of their truly fantastic work!

Nicole Dunn

I hope this has inspired you to take the plunge in the monochromatic gray scale world.  Without Katie to nudge me in that direction, I might never have tried it!  So glad she did!!

So What Have You Been Up to Creatively?