Stamping for an occasion such as Halloween can seem a daunting task. There are so many different exciting rubber stamping projects to make and wonderful supplies to buy that it can be hard to know where to start. Picking the right colors is a major part of the process and planning a color scheme early on can help to save time and money later. A few key colors of inks, papers and embellishments is all that is required for a large number of Halloween rubber stamping projects.
Halloween Rubber Stamping Themes
Kate Pullen
Picking the perfect Halloween color scheme will not only give your Halloween a co-ordinated look, but also ensure that you make maximum use of your Halloween stamping supplies (and budget). Of course, there is nothing to stop you from mixing and matching colors, adding some unusual colors that break from tradition or from completely doing your own thing! This flexibility is one of the great things about the craft of stamping.
Spooky Ghosts and Ghouls
Kate Pullen
One of the key Halloween images is the spooky image of ghosts and ghouls, perhaps with the odd bat and graveyard scene thrown in for good measure. These spooky images are best represented in dark and mysterious shades.
Colors that are ideal for ghostly scenes are:
Colors that are ideal for ghostly scenes are:
- Black
- White
- Greys
- Purple
- Metallic accent – silver
- Colors for accent – red
Pumpkins and Lanterns
Kate Pullen
The other that sums up Halloween is that of pumpkins. Whether this is happy pumpkin 'jack o'lanterns' or piles of ripe pumpkins that conjure up an image of a rich harvest, orange is a key Halloween color. Colors that are ideal for pumpkins of all descriptions are:
- Orange
- Brown
- Black
- Green
- Metallic accent - gold
Alternative Colors
Kate Pullen
Of course, there is nothing to stop your ghosts being sky blue with pink dots and your pumpkins being an improbable blue! Color can be used in a whole variety of ways and if you are looking to create individual Halloween stamping projects you may wish to throw out the color 'rule book' and do your own thing!
Picking alternative colors can be good for children's Halloween projects where you might want to break with tradition.
Picking alternative colors can be good for children's Halloween projects where you might want to break with tradition.
Halloween Color Tips
- Blending Colors
Remember that colors can be blended and new shades formed. Red and yellow paint, for instance, can be mixed to create orange and white when blended with black will give varying shades of grays. Black is also a useful color to tone down brighter colors, which can be ideal to create Halloween-type atmosphere. - Light Colored Paper
While dark paper and cardstock can give a dramatic finish to a project, they can sometimes be difficult to stamp on. Lighter colors have greater contrast with black ink and are a versatile choice. - Colored Backgrounds
The background color can effect the final look of a project. For instance coloring chalks dusted over orange paper will look different to chalks dusted over white paper.
