Color Choice: Is There a Right or Wrong? by Crystal Jeffrey Rieger
Choosing a background color can be difficult. Here's how to choose the right one for your scrapbook pages
Article rating: 8.05
Choosing colors for your scrapbook pages can often be an overwhelming task. The wide rainbow of colored papers often seen at a scrapbook store is enough to not only make a scrapbooker rejoice but also make them want to run screaming from the store in fear of making the wrong choice.
Picking a color for a scrapbook page can feel overwhelming at times but the choice does not need to be deemed right or wrong. There are many different methods for choosing a page color and all choices and methods can be right. They really are just a matter of personal preference. In the examples below you will see the same basic page and photos but the background color of the page will change. This will not only show you that there is no real right or wrong choice but it will show you some simple ways to narrow down your options.
One of the easiest ways to choose colors for your page is to look for colors that appear in your photo. In the page below the bright yellow from the t-shirt worn in the photo is used for the background in the page.
This works perfectly for this page and causes the shirt to blend in with background and create a focus on my daughter’s face.
This next page uses the same technique of picking a color from the photo to use throughout the page but instead of the bright yellow, the dark background color of the photos was used.
This change in color choice causes the background of the photo to blend into the page and make my daughter’s entire person stand out. Both choices are completely “right” and are a matter of personal preference. You might simply prefer a bright yellow over a dark purple or vice versa and either choice is perfectly acceptable.
Another option when using colors from your photos is to look for a minor color that appears in your photo. Unlike the pages above that use a dominate color in photo the page below uses a minor color seen in the photo.
Again this coordinates the photo to the page but this time the entire photo stands out visually. All three color choices shown work for this page and are really a matter of preference on how you want your photo to appear on your page.
If trying to decide which colors from the photo to use is not the way you prefer to pick a color for your scrapbook page a neutral color can make a simple option. In the page below a neutral brown color has been used on the page.
Again, this color works just as well on the page and provides a non-competitive background for everything that appears on the page.
Color choices for a scrapbook page can be made for many different reasons. Sometimes a seasonal page calls for seasonal colors no matter what colors are in your photos. In the page below green was chosen for the page based on my daughter’s favourite color which offers a personal color choice that is perfect for a page that is about her.
Personalizing a color choice for a page this way is just a “right” as all the other page colors shown and shows that there is no wrong to method to choosing.
What needs to be realized is that is no right or wrong choice, only different. Simple methods can help you narrow down your choices if you feel overwhelmed but do not let anyone tell you there is a right or wrong color to use. Color preference is often a personal thing and will be reflected in what choices a person prefers.
Thank you for this article. I always have trouble with colors.
I think it's because I'm eclectic and so are my supplies.
I cannot get over how each one of these pages looks right.
A lot of times I don't feel that way with my own and now I wonder if I should be choosing more "vivid" solid colored papers?
Posted by: Pege Aug 3, 2008 @ 12:24 AM EST
I love this article and how we can see the effects of all the various cardstock choices. It also makes me feel more secure in my own choices knowing there is really no right or wrong. I love the colour of your daughter's hair - very similar to my daughter's. It's gorgeous!
Posted by: Debra Aug 6, 2008 @ 1:51 PM EST
Thanks so much for sharing this article. Like all other things in scrapbooking, it's great to hear that there isn't anything WRONG with what we choose. It was great to see all of the various colors with the same photos; it really helps prove the point. Thanks.
Posted by: Stephanie K. Prihoda Aug 6, 2008 @ 2:29 PM EST
Awesome article. I love that there is no right or wrong - only different. But at the same time, you gave us some simple guidelines to help us pick colors if we are having a hard time making a decision!
Posted by: RScrapIT Aug 6, 2008 @ 2:47 PM EST
Great article! It was very interesting to see the effect that different colors have on the overall feel of the layout.
Posted by: Dana Nichols Aug 6, 2008 @ 3:26 PM EST
This is something even the advanced crafter deals with. It was very helpful to see the complete layout of different background colors. It really changes the whole effect.
Thanks
Posted by: Heather Garl Aug 6, 2008 @ 3:58 PM EST
I really enjoyed seeing the same photo and design with all the different backgrounds. Something you don't see every day. And everyone should remember the #1 rule of scrapbooking is - "There are NO rules in scrapbooking".
Posted by: Lisa D Aug 6, 2008 @ 5:41 PM EST
Tips for at least starting! thats what I love. I like that there are NO RULES and you shouldn't be intimidated by others on your personal choices.
Posted by: Ange M Aug 6, 2008 @ 7:50 PM EST
Your article is really full of information, mainly because of the pictures, it was easy to see what your were explaining. As they say pictures are worth a thousand words!!!
I hope life is kinder to you and yours!!
Posted by: Denise from PA Aug 7, 2008 @ 8:8 AM EST
This helps me to put a whole new perspective on my colour choices. Looks like there is no rules and I can venture out to try different colours even though I liked the yellow layout the best for co-ordination.
Posted by: Sheryl Aug 7, 2008 @ 11:27 AM EST
this is very interesting ...now when I go to scrap my photos I will take them to the store and lay them out with different backgrounds to see which ones work best...thanks a bunch for the info...
Posted by: ann Aug 9, 2008 @ 11:4 AM EST
I loved the article and would love to read another article about balancing color on your pages when you want to use more than One color. How many red embellies do I put and how many oranges if I want both colors on my layout? Thats what I have problems with... Looking forward to reading more articles on color!
Posted by: celine cochrane Aug 9, 2008 @ 10:45 PM EST
Love the article. I always ponder my colors and make my scrapping harder than what it is. I have real difficulty using patterend paper. I'm afraid it takes away from the photo.
Posted by: Debbie Aug 10, 2008 @ 7:34 PM EST
VERY cool to see all the color options like this - I've never seen that done before...
Posted by: Julia Aug 11, 2008 @ 5:40 PM EST
This is a very interestic article to see the difference with all the chosen colors. It makes sure to be it also your own choise with your feelings and moods, but it is a wonderfull explanation what it al does with colors.
Greatings out of the Netherlands, Ria
