The idea to colorize a photo started with this photo above; a childhood picture of me and my sister. My mom hired a photographer one day and shot a few of these outdoor photos in a crisp black and white and they were hanging in my childhood home for years. Now I have a couple hanging in my own home. They are practically embedded in my DNA they are so much a part of me. I was discussing the photo with my sister and we both clearly remembered, in great detail, the colors of our outfits. Curious, I asked my Mom if she had the color photos and she said they are all in black and white!
I decided to colorize the photos to the best of my memories using thread.
I dug through my thread stash to pick a color palette and began sewing. I picked skin tones for the legs and started there. Next I jumped to the hair and little parts of the dresses. My mind tends to leap frog all over the place but I have accepted that this seems to be my process so I don’t try to fight it with logical order.
I just dug in and then edited as I went. I took breaks to stretch and move and came back with a fresh perspective.
I ‘roughed in’ the skin and realized that the highlights were a little abrupt so I added some neutral colors to tone the transition.
I tried my best to imagine what the dress looked like and added a violet trim, tiny pink flowers, and white polka dots.
I wasn’t sure how I was going to deal with the grassy area surrounding us. I sewed some blades of grass but I wanted something more green. I thought of layers and layers of blades of grass but an alternative idea came to mind.
Overhead view.
Here is a progress shot of the back. I love the wonkiness of the backs of embroideries.
I decided to take a chance and do some experimenting. I added some green liquid watercolor and acrylic paint to a palette and brushed it on the background of the fabric. I watered it down a little and tested it on scrap fabric first to see how, and if, it would spread. I found that if I did not pre-wet the fabric it would control the spread. I was really worried about it bleeding into the stitches I had already made but the stitches kind of acted like a little dam. I was extra careful and mindful too.
Here was the result.
I started stitching over the green background with blades of grass.
Those little patent leather shoes!!!!
Here is a side by side.
80 percent completed in my mind. A good stopping point for a chronic over-doer.
Well thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed the journey. I Learn so much with each project. I have no idea what it is building up to but I’m just following my heart and instincts. Hope you are learning from and enjoying the journey, as well!
Warmly,
Pam