Exploring Color

Wow! "Exploring Color" lived up to all of the 5-star reviews, and surpassed them all. I've never been able to say that about a book before. This book focuses mainly on the use of color in artwork -- why some color schemes work, and why others fail. Many other topics are covered and related to back to the use of color, such as composition, presentation, design and types of contrast. Example pictures are taken from a wide range of artwork in different mediums by various artists -- simply wonderful! After each description, the author inserts an exercise for the reader, to help you understand and apply the principle presented. These exercises can be done in any medium (watercolor, oil, pastel, cloth, etc.), and far surpass the "paint by number/follow me" exercises in books aimed at nervous beginners. "Exploring Color " targets intermediate to advanced artists. Beginers should give it a chance, also. Try it, you'll be wowed.

It is worthwhile to put the time and effort into learning color theory for any artist or artisan as a sound knowledge of the subject will increase his/her capabilities and give more satisfactory results. This book extensively covers not only the theory aspect but puts it into practice for the reader by giving specific projects to illustrate the point being discussed. It is chock full of photos of art on every page.The history section on color is rather skimpy but it does provide some idea of how modern color theory and the color wheel came about. The rest of the book is broken up into subjects such as color characteristics, controlling color mixtures, palette color schemes, color contrasts, harmonizing light and shadow through color and unifiying color and design. Exploring color characteristics discusses some of the most common pigments and their classifications and properties (such as organics or inorganics, transparent or opaque, etc.). Palette color schemes discusses the many ways to organize a painting by color to convey a mood or feeling. One project gives instructions for painting a landscape using split primaries. Another compares the same scene painted using different color schemes (delicate colors, opaques only, intense only, earths only, etc.). Color contrast introduces projects for paintings that focus on temperature, another on intensities and still another on contrasting hues. The final two chapters discuss painting techniques such as glazing, painting on toned backgrounds, color in shadows, composition, the uses of line, shape, rhythm, repetition, balance, dominance and last but not least, color collage. Every point made is accompanied by photos of artwork illustrating it. Every subject discussed is acompanied with an "assignment" so the reader will have some way to actually practiced what was just covered. Exploring Color is a good addition to any artists library and covers the subject of color theory in a lively way that will inspire any artist/artisan to get back to work creating something with new understanding and vigor.

This book clarifies the properties of color by first defining them, (transparancy, intensity and tinting strength,) and then creating working pallets based on this truly understandable information. It turned on a light for me, a watercolorist, as Nita Leland appears to be particulary interested in that medium. This book is available in our local library, but it is such a valuable resource, I chose to purchase it, as I functions as a reference book.

This book is useful for a variety of readers. It is a good detailed text on color theory.With the new lay-out it is a good quick reference for the artist or student. The illustrations are wonderful. While it concentrates on watercolor, it would be useful to those using a wide variety of artistic media.

This book is just terrific! It is so well done and the color and reproductions are beautiful. There is a wealth of information here, concise and easy to understand -- no matter what medium you work in, these concepts will apply. The book is filled with gorgeous artwork in a variety of media and styles. It is also beautifully designed throughout. This one is not for the bookshelf, it's for the worktable. I plan to keep it handy for reference and inspiration. Positively the most comprehensive book on color and how to use it I have seen -- and I have them all.