Colour Research: Como, Italy
View of Como city taken while walking on the trail to Brunate
my como adventure
Ten years ago I lived for a year in Como, Italy working as an intern at Mantero, an historical company that creates and produces luxury textile fabrics and accessories. Initially hired to create expressive hand-painted designs for a Spring/Summer silk scarf collection, it was here that my story in the field of printed textiles began. The company gave me the freedom to explore creative ideas through colour & trend research and the application of art materials. This time was transformative not only professionally, but also personally because while living in Italy I met my husband (hence the Pozzi part of my name)! I really enjoyed my time at Mantero and am grateful for the wonderful learning opportunity it provided.
colour studies of Brunate, cernobbio and como
Como is a beautiful city located at the base of Lake Como, 40kms north of Milan. It is an historic city, traditionally based on industry, particularly silk manufacturing. Cernobbio and Brunate are both small towns in the Como province. Cernobbio is 2km northwest of Como, while Brunate sits 700m above the city and has breath-taking views over Lake Como and beyond to Switzerland.
I loved visiting both places and would do so regularly; appreciating the different light and colours in each season. Throughout the year I took photographs of urban surfaces, architecture and nature… anything that inspired me in terms of colour, texture and pattern!
Travelling is integral to my colour research and I enjoy observing how other cultures use colour within their living environments. Colour is so meaningful, such a powerful form of energy and visible light, and is always at the heart of all that I do creatively.
The following colour palettes represent Brunate, Cernobbio and Como at different times of the year and how the changing light affects the tonal range of the colours.
Cernobbio in spring/summer
Cernobbio in summer: This colour palette is a blend of complementary colours blue and red-orange. The warm terracotta houses, orange berries and pink roses contrast with the green leaves and blue summer sky.
Cernobbio in spring: a harmonious mixture of blue, blue-purple, purple and red-purple. The soft spring palette looks vibrant against the fresh green leaves and bright blue sky.
Brunate and Como in autumn/Winter
Winter in Brunate: a palette of brown, grey and mauve is warmed up the dusky pink sky and soft orange glow from the winter setting sun.
Autumn/winter in Como: the decorative paintwork on internal and external buildings range from mid grey-beige, soft grey-green, cream, earthy peach and warm terracotta. The last of the autumn leaves cling onto bare tree branches and the low sun casts deep shadows.
View from my apartment in Como Camerlata as a thunder storm approached