Bead Colors

by Lisa Ashton

This is really an entire section, the basis of which is integrated with design. Almost any ideas about color that work with clothing, in general, are applicable to beadwork. Everyone has an extremely personal set of ideas about color, and their specific emotional and symbolic responses. Color can be used to emphasize:

Line. To define large and small outlines.
Contrast. To make certain areas stand out by using as different a color as possible.
Shading. To increase the 3D effects. Black and darker hues (shades) tend to retract, that is, stay in the background.
Highlighting. Using white and light shades. Also increases the 3D effects because white and lighter hues (tints) tend to "jump out" and come forward.

Beads are available in every color of the rainbow and then some. A color wheel can be essential, as are pastels or colored pencils for designing.