2017 #5 Blue and Ochre {Challenge}

 2017 Topic 5: Blue and Ochre

Martha Kisling

Well hello everyone, Darcy here with a brand new topic and this week sees us returning to a colour scheme. This time we have the beautiful combination of blue and ochre for you. As with all our challenges the options are almost limitless, from huge variations in the colours, to mediums and substrates used to the amazing array of things you can make. 

What do the colours blue and ochre mean to you? there are lots of shades to choose from,. The blues of water and the sky, with variations of aqua and then ochre is a warm earthy yellow, that too has a range of shades from the palest sands through to deep mustards. 

How will you be inspired to use these colours? Look up, look down, look all around. 

Duomo, Siena

Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 4: Doors,Windows and Architecture

The winner is: Lin from Art from Herts

Email Darcy to claim your prize. Darcydotneedles@gmail.com

Blue is a very popular colour, a firm favourite with many, it is also a complex colour due to the many varieties. Dark blue can mean intelligence, bright blue is representative of cleanliness and strength and light blue is peace and serenity. The eye sees blue slightly differently to other colours, often blues will seem further away and smaller objects in other colours. It can be a very cold colour and is best used in conjunction with another colour. it worked superbly with orange, as that is the opposite colour on the colour wheel, which brings us to ochre. While ochre is from the yellow hue, it is one of the warmer shades of yellow, and does have some hints of red in there. This brings it a little closer to the oranges and so it fits really well with blue. 

As for blue and ochre paints, well ancient humans were not able to paint with blue, it is not a colour of the earth. Cave paintings were severely lacking in blue. the first real blue came from lapis lazuli, this is a semi precious stone and had to be mined. The Egyptians prized this colour, but it was rare and this drove alchemist to create new blues, so popular was blue that by roman times there were factories set up just to create blue pigments!

Ochre colour gets its name from ochre clay, this is found the world over and comes in many shades, ranging from the palest, almost white through to deep reds, there are also green ochres. There were so many shades, ancient tribes would trade colours with each other to expand their palettes.  Over time it has been mixed with saliva, water, eggs or animal fats to make paints. It is one of the oldest forms of painting and is found in many cave paintings. 

Let's have some fun exploring these two gorgeous colours. Your project will change dramatically depending how much you use of each colour. this sign is predominantly ochre/mustard, but with just a pop of blue it is brought to life . 

Stacey Pfahler

This beautiful fabric makes great use of blue and ochre, and teams them with a subtle, soft grey and white. you could create this so easily with some Lin Brown, Sara Naumann or Urban Snapshot stamps. 

IKOPlus

Think how you can interpret these images, could you take a plain white pot and make it your own using PaperArtsy Fresco paints. 

John Maltby

If you are a quilter you will love the simplicity of this next one. How could a papercrafter create this? strips of patterned paper, layered painted papers, a bit of machine stitching and topped off by some stencilling?

Sabi Westoby

How about some hand embroidery instead, be inspired by these lush colours are perfect little flower heads. 

LoveMaude

Staying with fabric, this is such a sweet wall piece, stretched fabric and a felt flower! You could of course make paper flowers, PaperArtsy has some great metal dies for cutting your own blooms. 

bedbuggs

How cute is this handpainted piece of wall art, ideal for a kid's room. 

KatyB

For more home decor how about swirling some Fresco paint around inside some old glass jars, don't these look so classy..

Ashley

While you are upcycling, why not create a collection of frames in these fabulous shades. 

The SpeckledEgg

Easter is almost upon us, the chocolate never lasts long, so why not go for a painted egg instead.. well maybe have the chocolate too! These are painted goose eggs from Romania.

Bukovina

How about some accent colours for a spring outfit, simple beads and other embellishments make for an interesting bracelet. 

Gomeow

Cardmaking uses this colour scheme really well, especially when teamed with punchy and clean white. 

PaperCraftyKaren

Another card, this time stamped like a masterboard and coloured with distress inks. 

Alex

For something a bit different, try making some Dorset buttons. They ar fascinating and so easy to make, they make for beautiful embellishments. 

Anita Simmance

Finally a stunning tag, painty layers, collage and stamping. 

Jolande

Have a wonderful 2 weeks everyone, I hope you have fun with all the different shades of these gorgeous colours, please do show us what you have made. 

Don't forget to follow Darcy and Leandra's Pinterest boards if this topic pushes your buttons, you will see plenty more examples to whet your appetite there! I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!

~ Darcy

We hope that you  learn something interesting from our blog. Our bloggers deeply appreciate your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired! Why not join our challenge by blogging your interpretation of the current topic and link it here?

The current topic link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 9th April 2016, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.








All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store.

Challenge Guidelines

• The challenge is a for you to show how you are inspired by the current blog topic. We encourage you to play with us and explore your personal creative style.
• Please mention which PA blog post inspired you and and why (link directly to that post). Please don't link to the home page of your blog because then no-one can track back to easily find the original post.
• We prefer your challenge blog post is created exclusive to our challenge, but if our topic fits perfectly with another challenge, then you may link to both if appropriate.
• You are most welcome to use stamps/ products/ substrates you have to hand from a variety of companies, we do not expect you to exclusively use PA products - it's lovely when you do though!
• You can enter as many times as you like. We don't want to restrict your creativity! 

NB. Link closes at 17:00 Sunday 9th April (London Time)

Prize: The winner will receive a £50 credit voucher to be redeemed on the PaperArtsy Website. The credit voucher includes VAT and postage. We request that one of your purchases is an A5 rubber stamp. You can add any other items to your basket, but the final total should not exceed £50. It's your responsibility to claim your prize coupon from Darcy. 

email: darcydotneedles@gmail.com

NEW Challenge/ winner: Each fortnight on Sunday, the winner will be announced at 19:00 (London time). In the same post, the link for the next fortnight will be posted. 

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!