Using Photos for Design Inspiration - HWSDA

At the HWSDA Conference in May of 2008, I gave a workshop called "Digital Design and Weave Structure". As I have stated in my previous blogs, I participated in a one month online workshop with the UKWSD group. I was so fascinated with what I was learning from the other members and the experimentation that I was encouraged to continue on with the group.

In June I received a picture that the HWSDA was considering using as inspiration for next year's conference. There is a very simple way to pull the colours out of the photo to assist weavers, dyers, or spinners in the design process. It is my hope that this will help to motivate our members to participate in next year's juried show.

Pictures Available on the Internet

The easiest way to get colours pulled from the picture, if the picture is available on the internet is to use the web site http://www.degraeve.com/ - the Color Palette Generator.

You will need to have the picture saved on the internet somewhere and then you begin by entering the url for the picture (right click on the picture and select properties and you can copy the URL from the dialogue box that opens). The picture needs to be saved in a picture format.

Paste the URL in the box on the above website. The next step is to click on the button "Color-Palett-ify!". A message to wait will appear and the you will be given 2 sets of colours one dull and one vibrant. You can now use these colours to inspire your design.

Pictures Saved on Your Computer

You will need to have a program or application that will enable you to edit and enhance photos. I use PhotoFiltre - a free ware application for personal or educational use. It is an easy to use software and is available at http://www.photofiltre.com/

I will give the instructions for PhotoFiltre, although they will be similar in different applications. In PhotoFiltre, you would use File, Open and then browse on your computer to locate the picture. Then select Filter from the menu bar and from the drop down select Stylize, Mosiac. Depending upon how detailed your picture is you will now determine the cell size you would like to use. The larger the cell size the fewer colours you will be able to choose. Your photo should now look similar to the picture on the right.

To the right of the working area, you will have a set of tools. The tool you will be working with will be the pipette tool. Click to activate the tool and then move to one of the squares where you would like to pull the color from the picture. When you click on the square a series of numbers representing the amount or red, green, and blue will appear below the tools.

Continue the process of picking the colours and either copy and paste or write down the numbers representing the colour breakdown. You can now use these numbers to accurately recreate the colours in your drawdown program.