Art Print Issues by Barney Davey

2012 Color Trends: Paint Hues Drawn From The American Landscape

The Color Trends for 2012 are taking their cues from outdoors. The palette appeals to me. Its bright look sends a message better times are ahead.

Consumers are still cautious and remodeling is not in the budget for many. However, a fresh coat of paint, some new artwork and a few well chosen decorative accessories can freshen a room to make it look new again.

Do You Want a New Source of Sales and Income?

Consider working with redecorating specialists in your area. You can find them in the search engines. Let them know you can deliver giclee prints made to order and that you can work with the palette they need for the jobs they are working on. Develop a relationship with a few redecorators in your area. It could become a nice new source of revenue for you in 2012.

Wondering about the hot color trends are for next year?

Wonder no more:  The 2012 paint palette will draw heavily upon the natural colors in the American landscape, according to Debbie Zimmer, color expert at the Paint Quality Institute. 

“Native plants and flowers, oceans and lakes, and rocks and minerals are the sources of inspiration for the paint colors that will be ‘in’ next year,” says Zimmer.  “If you’re thinking about repainting your home interior, look to the great American outdoors.”

Here are some highlights:

Blue, the Jewel of the Sea
Blues gained popularity in 2011 and continue to be red hot in 2012.  “From sparkling sea-glass blue to colonial blue-grey, blues are suitable for all living spaces, being a naturally soothing color that is loved – in one iteration or another -- by almost everyone,” says Zimmer. 

 

Green, From Farm to Forest
Greens, ranging from celery and asparagus to fir and fern, allow homeowners to bring the comforting feelings of the world outside into the world within.  According to Zimmer, dining rooms and kitchens are the “natural” spots for in vogue greens, but the hue is also at home in family rooms and bedrooms.

 

Violet, Majestic Purple Mountains
“A harmonious combination of patriotic blue and red hues, violet can add ‘punch’ to any room when used as an accent color, or serve as the dominant color in a bedroom,” says Zimmer. 

But natural hues aren’t the only news for 2012.  Zimmer predicts that three paint and decorating trends will gain prominence next year:

Patterns
In 2012, patterned paint will take center stage, with increased interest in hound’s-tooth finishes, lacy designs, and bold color blocking techniques.  “In some cases, pattern will be the main decorating feature in a room; in others, it will provide a subtle, textured backdrop for fine furnishings and artwork,” says Zimmer.

 

 

 

Black & White

The classic combination of black and white isn't just for Cape Cods any more. You'll see much more of it in all sorts of settings, from contemporary apartments to historic homes, says Zimmer. "The pairing is a great way to freshen an interior with something smart and stylish," she says.

 

 

 

 

 

Exterior Paint Combinations

On the home exterior, shutters colors will begin to shift away from the traditional look of high-contrast green, red, or black to a more monochromatic palette. "You'll see more shutters that are painted just a shade darker than the siding," says Zimmer. "Owners of homes with stone exteriors can get in on things by matching the shutter color to the dominant color of the stone."

 

 

 

 All photos are courtesy of The Paint Quality Institute.

What is the "Hot Color" Trend for 2010

Mardi Grape: Former Fashion Star Is Year's Hottest Color

According to Color Marketing Group (CMG), the leading international organization of color design professionals, GRAPE is the hottest color for 2010.

CMG, which has been successfully predicting color trends for 47 years, says this grape –officially called Mardi Grape – is a sophisticated crossover between purple, brown and gray. It’s a transfer from fashion with European roots.

Photo: Anna Beaudry 2009/Maria Killam Colour & Design

Chosen by hundreds of color professionals as CMG’s 2010 Next Color, Mardi Grape used to be a fashion color. Now, it’s all set to be the year’s biggest star for everything else.

Purple is a neutral for first time - expect it to be around for a long time

Said CMG president James Martin: “Purple has been with us for a while now, but the big story today is that we’re seeing purple as a neutral for the very first time. This purple is browner and grayer, a neutral we can love long-term.

These days everyone is seeking versatile colors with staying power. Colors used to be the focus while neutrals were the understudies. Today, neutrals are the lead performers, chameleon colors that shift and change.”

According to CMG, look for these additional color trends in 2010:

• Red – Reds are strong with pink intuition; bright and clean with energy and excitement -- a clean pop to go with neutrals.
• Orange – A rich, sophisticated color that moves away from earth-based colors to an optimistic orange, seasoned with a touch of gray.
• Yellow – A greener, more natural yellow, softened with gray.
• Green – Optimistic and uplifting, a clear and bright accent green with a slight shift toward blue.
• Blue – A saturated blue with gray influences; rich without being too luxe.
• Beige-Brown – A true chameleon to complement darker hues, it can be either matte or metallic.
• Neutral-Gray – Gray with a touch of purple, drawing inspiration from mineral, concrete and steel.

Color Marketing Group, founded in 1962 and based in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, is an international association of color design professionals. CMG’s major focus is to forecast the direction in which color is developing across multiple industries. For further information, please visit www.colormarketing.org

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Hot Color Trends for 2009 - Color Marketing Group Predictions

Choosing the right colors is always an imperative for artists and designers looking to have their work be most widely accepted in art, fashion and design trends. That imperative is more keenly felt in today's economy. If you aren't painting for the museums, you are most likley painting for homes and offices. Nothing wrong with that approach. Let's face it. There are far more of the latter two categories than museums, which makes being wisely informed about future trends important. Fortunately, we have the Color Marketing Group (CMG) helping us determine what colors we will see in those home and offices this coming year.  (Speaking of color trends, you may have noticed a new theme for this blog. I like it and hope you do as well.) Color Marketing Group Predicts Hot Color Trends for 2009  Choices Driven by Concern for Economy and Optimism for the Future What colors are in store for us in 2009?  According to Color Marketing Group (CMG), the top choices have been influenced by both our concern for the economy and our optimism about the future.   Color Marketing Group, the leading international non-profit association of color design professionals, has been accurately predicting color trends for more than 45 years. CMG predicts more evolution than revolution in color trends for the coming new season "We're finding comfort in colors that are familiar, and yet, at the same time, we're embracing colors that make us happy -- especially as accents," said executive director, Jaime Stephens. "Everyone's concerned about the economy, yet the spirit of the country coming together after the election is powerfully reflected in these choices.  Also, the demand for colors and products that reflect an environmentally 'greener' world goes way beyond a trend. It's now 'a given.' " According to CMG, look for these color trends in 2009: <Purple, Purple, Purple! Emerging as a hot fashion color last fall, purple is not just a fad -- it's an entrenched trend, strongly influenced by the election. (After all, red plus blue equals purple.)  Look for a greyed-out violet that works equally well as an accent or a neutral, as well as redder, plummier purples and bluer-influenced fuchsias in a huge range of products.  Purple is 2009's "must have" color.   Blue is the New Green >  Various greens have symbolized "green living" over the last few years, but in 2009 the "green" environmental message is delivered by the color blue. There are watery blues, sky blues and a whole range of blues that now represent our commitment to living on a greener planet.    < Cooled-down, Greyed-out Browns and Greys Complex neutrals satisfy our urge toward classic colors in an economically challenged time. They also bridge the area between black, which seems harsh, and brown, which doesn't seem strong enough.   Yellow for Energy > The neutrals may have greyed, but look for lots and lots of bright vivid yellow to give us energy as we re-build the economy.  It's the stand-out accent color for 2009.   < Bright Accents from India, China, and Turkey The exotic has become the familiar. Oranges, turquoises and teals, reds, and yellows will abound in hues from far-away countries that now seem very near. They are the optimistic touches we crave. White is now a Business Color > Technology has produced amazing new (and very practical) finishes, which helps explain why white is showing up everywhere, even in corporate board rooms. The contrasts are all in the finishes: matte versus gloss; shine and shimmer on reflective surfaces; textured whites versus smooth -- all washable and cleanable. White also represents purity of thought, motive and result - exactly what we want from businesses now.   < The Return of the "M" Word It's mauve. Remember mauve?  An old color that looks new again, in dusty violet shades, mauve works as an accent but also serves now as a neutral, punched up by those bright Asian accents (orange, turquoise, teal, red, and yellow.)

About Color Marketing Group Color Marketing Group forecasts color trends up to three years into the future for its members, many of whom must plan ahead for product, space and materials introductions. For more information: www.colormarketing.org.

Indie Fashion Mag Inspires

The previous Indie Art Intersection post sets the table for this one. It seems art, fashion and music come in trends with differerent global locations taking turns leading. Lately, Brit chicks have been having their way on the pop music scene with Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Leona Lewis and Adele all making hits and generating lots of fan and media interest.

Similarly, there is a wave of indie fashion mags helmed by Brit chicks as well. None better done or more exciting than N.E.E.T. Magazine. It is helmed by Stephanie J who manages the slick online publication as a one person band. What she is pulling together is a visual tour de force of indie fashion, graphic design, art and accessories. It takes a while for the mag to load, but it is worth the wait.

You may or may not have an interest in fashion, or indie fashion, but it is a source of cutting edge trends that often wind their way into the mainstream market. I would hardly describe myself as a fashionista, but I do appreciate creativity and great design. I found an abundance of both in N.E.E.T. Although this genre is primarily populated by younger generations, visual artists of all ages can take clues on current graphic design and color trends to inform their work.  N.E.E.T. Magazine is a step beyond fashion. Here is a quote from a Q&A on Prcouture and Stephanie J that sums up her concept for the publication:

Who/what gets featured in N.E.E.T?

SJ: Anyone and everyone - as long as they’re independent. Fashion designers, crafters, illustrators, photographers, fashionistas, journalists, boutique owners, bloggers, vintage lovers, stylists, make up artists, eco-friendly stores, fairtraders - in N.E.E.T. I feature original, quality and well made items.

Sometimes the best inspiration and ideas come from those things we initially thought we would never do. It is a well known brainstorming technique to think of all the things you wouldn't do. Try it sometimes when thinking of new vacation destinations. Or, flip through the pages of N.E.E.T. to discover some concepts you can creatively borrow for your art business. Maybe it's not for you art, but for your Web design or graphic design to promote your business. Or, maybe you'll find a piece of irrestible jewelry or other accessory. Enjoy!

Colour Lovers

I bet you didn't know I was a color and pattern designer. Neither did I till I played around for a few minutes on the Colour Lovers Web site where I created this palette, which I titled King's Ransom.

With the palette done, I went to the pattern creator and used it to create my Morrocan King pattern seen here. What a great fun tool which can be very serious too. Like life, it's all in what you make it.

If you are a visual artist, or just someone who loves color, you are going to have fun and a hard time pulling yourself off this site. Enjoy!