Unlike most creative arts, floral arrangement has the advantage of natural, not man-made material. In all the centuries of mankind we have been unable to reproduce the thrilling combination of soft texture, graceful lines, radiant color and delicate scent found in a single rose.
The desire to bring beauty into our homes gave birth to the art of flower arrangement, which is by no means a new one. The Japanese people used it centuries ago in their daily life and religion. Here is an art for all of us. All we need is the appreciation of beauty and a few flower arrangement implements. The fields, woods, brook banks, gardens, and of course your local flower shop are abundant with the many varieties of plant materials used in flower arrangement.
There’s Magic in Color
It is not coincidental that many of the terms applying to music, such as harmony, tone and accent, also apply to color. Both have depth and meaning; sometimes dramatically warm, sometimes quietly cool, but always pleasing to the senses if properly composed. Composition in either case, has everything to do with the outcome.
Color in flower arrangement, however, is one step ahead of melodic composition; for while man must create the sounds of which music is composed; Mother Nature has given us a head start by creating the hues, which we need only place together harmoniously. There is no doubt that Mother Nature’s color eye is that of an expert, when we see rusty brown, snow capped mountains against a pale blue sky, or the rich red-orange shaft of flame which seems to cut deep into the blue green lake as the sun reluctantly still blazing sinks below the horizon.
An example of Nature’s technical gift for color is the little yellow pedaled pansy with its deep violet center. In this tiny flower she has created a complementary harmony.
After many years of study and experiment, scientific color enthusiasts discovered certain facts about color. In arranging your flowers, try to keep to the following guidelines which are elastic enough for you to experiment with color. They will help you not only to add more to beauty, but to avoid destroying it with discordant color combinations.
Some Color Tips
Your colors are affected by the hues near them. Therefore you must choose flattering backgrounds and avoid combining colors which reflect each other discordantly. Remember that the foliage enters into the color scheme. Of course we must not forget the important role played by white, which reflects all colors. White flowers in an arrangement can enhance or destroy it. Use them with thought. An over abundance of white flowers in a colored arrangement will give a separated effect.
The focal point of the design in most cases would contain the warmest, darkest, richest colors. Heavy colors on the outer edges of the arrangement will give it a tendency to appear to topple over at the lightest touch of a breeze.
Let us remember that the first thing the eye catches in a flower arrangement is color. If the color is not balanced and interestingly planned, the eye will be reluctant to go further. No matter how graceful the form and how rhythmical the line, color is the eye-catcher of your design.
You are now equipped with some knowledge of design and color pertaining to flower arrangement. Keep these principles in mind as you arrange your flowers. If employed constantly, they will lead you to success in your endeavors. They are easily mastered and the little time used in perfection will be well worth while.