Restricted Palette

Sketch of "Five of a Kind" Necklace, available in my Etsy store

Last week I designed two more black snap necklaces for my collection on Etsy, and I still have more ideas. 

This led me to think about what in painter’s terms is often referred to as a restricted (or limited) palette; when an artist chooses to limit the colors he/she paints with.  You might be asking, with all the colors available these days, why restrict color?  There are a couple reasons.  The artist might be setting a mood, working in the colors of the old masters, traveling or painting plein aire and cannot carry a full set of paint, or they are challenging themselves to work within limited parameters to push their color knowledge and creativity to a new level. 

My Black Snap Collection is a restricted palette.  I’m only working in black and silver, snaps, jump rings, and the occasional embellishment with a bead or two.  I love working this way, challenging myself to create as many designs as I can with just a few elements.  It is also a relief.  I tend to freeze up and get artist’s block when faced with the endless possibilities of my bead collection.  I’m pushing the materials as far as they will go, which is exhilarating.

Other types of artists use restricted palettes: 

*”Igor Stravinsky used what he called creative limitation with time signatures, by restricting himself from using any, in his composition 'The Rite of Spring' as well as in alternate aspects of his other musical works.” – I found this quote on Wikipedia after looking up “Creative Limitation”.

*In culinary arts, some of the best recipes in the world require nothing but 2-3 quality ingredients.

*In fashion, the most timeless, classic pieces are elegant and simple.  No lace and frou-frou, they enhance the beauty of the human body.

I could go on, but I’m not trying to convince you of anything.  I just like the concept. It tickles my mind.  It’s like asking a child what they want to do with the refrigerator box.  There is no end to the possibilities.  I also apply the idea of creative limitation to my teaching.  The children are given a lesson and parameters to create within.  To say, “do whatever you want” (at least on a regular basis in the art room) would not foster creative thinking and skill development.

The only thing holding me back now (with the Black Snap Collection) is I’ve run out of black snaps and jump rings! 

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“It is by great economy of means that one arrives at simplicity of expression.” - Henri Cartier Bresson

Sketch of "The Centerpiece" Necklace, available in my Etsy shop