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Color Mixing
Tips by Heather Powers, 10/10/03
Polymer clay is a colored clay that can be mixed with the same formulas and theories that painters use. If you are working in this wonderful medium, I highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the basics of color theory. Buy or check out a book on the topic or visit this great website: Color Theory

Why settle for colors straight out of the package when you have unlimited options at your finger tips.  The colors in this sample were made using 3 colors plus white!  The top rows have 18 colors made from copper and ultramarine.  The second row of copper and ultramarine mixed with white are called tints.  This combination is an example of complimentary colors.  The bottom rows are ultramarine and fuchsia.  The colors in the third row are mixed with white.  Blue, purple and fuchsia are an example of an analogous color combination.  To find out more about this visit the color theory site listed above. Why settle for colors straight out of the package when you have unlimited options at your finger tips. The colors in this sample were made using 3 colors plus white! The top rows have 18 colors made from copper and ultramarine. The second row of copper and ultramarine mixed with white are called tints. This combination is an example of complimentary colors. The bottom rows are ultramarine and fuchsia. The colors in the third row are mixed with white. Blue, purple and fuchsia are an example of an analogous color combination. To find out more about this visit the color theory site listed above.

When picking colors for your beads make sure they are contrasting enough to show your details when you reduce canes. A light and dark purple will show up much better than a blue and purple that are the same value. (Value is the light and darkenss of a color.)


Tips for Beginners

10/03/03 - Here are a few tips for beginners. It's a common mistake to start off using sculpey III to make your first beads, because it's less expensive, but if you are trying to make canes, expect smears and image distortion. For better results try Premo or Fimo Classic. For really great looking beads, go for the pasta machine. It will need to be used only for claying but once you get it, your beads will have better detail and a more professional look. Here are two great links every beginner polymer clayer should have bookmarked: The Glass Attic and Polymer Clay Central

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