I've been working on increasing my drawing skill, as well as learning about fabric design. It's doll related, because I would like to design both my own doll clothes, and fabric to suit. It's a huge undertaking, and will probably take me ages to get there, if I ever get there, but I'm working on it! Partially, this post is for Xanadu as well, since she likes to talk about the color wheel and color tones and shades in relation to dressing your dolls, as well as setting up rooms and backdrops for them. I had these books on my Amazon wishlist, saw them recommended somewhere, and Mr. BTEG and the Dancer bought them for my birthday last week.
The first book is called Palette Perfect - Color Combinations Inspired by Fashion, Art & Style. It talks at the beginning about the color wheel and how to use colors to create attractive looks. It then has pages and pages and pages of color groupings, with both their CMYK and RGB color graph numbers given, to help you get the correct shade you're looking for. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by this book!
I also received The Fabric Design Book - Understanding and creating patterns using texture, shape, and color.
I think this book will help me increase my "feel" for good fabric design. As I said above, this whole process is a bit overwhelming right now, because I'm such a beginner at design, as well as using design software. I feel that I owe it to myself, though, to at least try to get better at these things that I want to learn.
I know several of you who have skills that you use in service to your doll collection. Has anyone learned or tried to learn something purely for making things for your dolls? I know MC and RagingMoon1987 have talked about learning sewing to make doll clothes, which I totally support!
They look like wonderful books to help you on your new adventure Barb. I'm sure you will have a great time exploring colour and design, it's a marvellous way to express yourself. Don't try to take it in all at once though, otherwise it will overwhelm you, just take baby steps, one at a time and you'll get there.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
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Thanks for the advice, Xanadu. I definitely need not to expect too much of myself. I've learned to accept "a little bit every day" in other areas of my life, so I need to apply it to this too.
DeleteThat's so kind of you to say, Linda. I think it'll be a long time before I get there, but I will keep moving slowly forward.
ReplyDeleteWell, I must admit that I also want to create my own fabrics some day. I am learning how to sew mostly to make doll clothes and other props, making clothes for me is an afterthought. I do think that I should learn at least the basics of sewing before getting into fabric design. When I go to a clothing store, I always look at the prints and think what I could make for my dolls with that fabric. I have noticed that certain types of prints are harder to find in doll-scale than others (like the tropical leafs prints), so that's where the idea came from.
ReplyDeleteI think it's fantastic that you're getting into graphic design and design software to make stuff for your dolls. Learning something new is always overwhelming, but the best way is to take it bit by bit. One day you'll look back and you'll see all the progress you've made. Many years ago I did try to learn some digital illustration, so I started drawing simple things: a cupcake, a rocket... Maybe you could make some printables for your dolls to get used to the software: some book covers, a poster, shopping bags...
Have a lovely weekend ahead.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one that wants to make my own fabric designs due to there not being enough fabrics that catch my interest, especially small scale. I do like sewing for me, too, partially because I can't find clothes for me that I want in the stores either.
DeleteIt would be interesting to create a printable for my dolls.
Belated happy birthday! More knowledge is always good. Personally, I haven't trusted the colour wheel since it told me red heads should wear peach. Peach makes me look like I'm going to throw up. This is, I assume, because the colour wheel thinks all red haired people have peach complexions, and as you may recall from meeting me, I'm pink instead.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yep, I think even as we grow older, it is important to keep learning things. I can relate to you about colors that suit you; even though I'm a brunette who looks best in bright jewel tones, I don't look good in the color red. I have red in my cheeks (not in the good way that looks like blush) and wearing red brings that out in my face.
DeleteI am so excited for you Barb, you are great at design, by the way I just nominated you for The Mystery Blogger Award so in case your interested here is the link: https://haileysjoyfuldolls.blogspot.com/2021/07/the-mystery-blogger-award.html
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