Customer Reviews

Color in Contemporary Painting: Integrating Practice and Theory

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Le Clair offers a comprehensive look at color for the serious artist. This book is a college course in understanding the various color schemes and how they're affected by other surrounding colors. Each chapter is backed up by terrific color plates representing contemporary artist's work. If you are a painter or work with color, this book is for you. Not a simple "how-to" instructional, but rather an intelligent approach to considering color choices before you apply them. This book is for the artist as well as the teacher.

"Color in Contemporary Painting: Integrating Practice and Theory", while not a traditional art technique book, is still an invaluable reference for practicing artists as well as those interested in contemporary art. Full of high quality reproductions from a wide variety of artists, one can simply skim the book as a source of ideas and things to try without even reading the text. However, the text is very clear, helpful, and readable as it describes the artists' styles, approaches, and use of color. There is no mumbo-jumbo and even the most "art critical" discussions of the artworks are in plain English.

The book is organized into 11 sections, the first few of which are introductory and include a perfunctory and adequate description of color theory. LeClair then proceeds through Albers & optical art, color & structure, figure/ground & space, color harmony, gesture, light, expressionism, and what the author calls "advanced color games." Since the book was written in 1991, a few of the discussions about what is "hot" in the contemporary art scene may be out of date as of 2003, yet the book is still relevant and most of the artists discussed are still important today. Perhaps the only thing missing is that there is only an occasional mention of actual pigments used by the painters. A thorough 2-page index makes looking up aritsts, subjects, or painting titles easy. Highly recommended.

I edited this book many years ago and STILL consult it about color questions. (Yeah, I'm an editor, but I used to be an artist--one who, while I was still painting, desperately needed a book like this. And after that, needed it even more when I chose art history as my muse.)

Am I prejudiced toward this book? Yes, of course. For instance, I love Diebenkorn's work and helped choose the painting that graces the cover. And Charles Le Clair, the author, taught me so much, even though we sometimes did battle over his writing quirks (and my editing ones).

I see now, more than a decade after Color in Contemporary Painting was first published, that even though the paintings Charles used to explicate various uses of color are still valid in that context, perhaps a 21st-century update of some kind may be called for. BUT: Really, how much does color use change in major ways that differ from what Charles has presented?

SO: Here is a plea: Suggest some newer examples. I will forward appropriate ones to the publisher.

This outstanding book is a must for painters. Excellent examples illuminate LeClair's text in a way that makes perfect sense for artists. LeClair applies sound color theory to art-making and inspires at the same time. I find it an excellent tool for illustrating color concepts to my university students. It is a comprehensive look at many approaches to the use of color (not a guide, as many books are, to using color in the the same way as their authors). Highly recommended!

I have had this book for approximately 4 years, and it is one that I keep going back to time and time again. High quality art, with wonderful and interesting insite and commentary, this is a must for fans of contemporary art, or for artists themselves.

Highly recommended.

I lent my copy to my master class art teacher 5 months ago. She keeps begging for more time with it. I'm just going to buy a second copy, and let her keep the first. Do you need to know any more?

I am Ric Ordway a Contemporary Artist in the Phoenix Scottsdale, Arizona area. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in art and color techniques. I was lucky enough to receive this book as a gift. The author clearly explains color and it's many facets in Contemporary Art. Color In Contemporary Painting by Charles LeClair has helped me explore and expand as an artist.

In Arizona my work is getting recognized with a few awards from organizations such as Phoenix Artlink. I had just received a couple of rejections in submitting my art when I received this book. When I opened it up I could not put it down. I was inspired by the pictures of famous original contemporary art and in depth descriptions and information about the artists and painting style. Information and examples of art from Howard Buchwalk, Fritz Bultman, Hannah Wilke, Frank Galluszka and Jasper Johns were all inspiring. Many famous paintings reminded me of some of my own work. It has inspired me!

Within one day of reading the book I'm painting again. I have at least 15 submission opportunities here in Arizona and nationally. I also started posting my art on the internet at my website ricordway com. Color In Contemporary Painting is one of my most important books in my library.

I would suggest this book for new artists and those who are looking for inspiration in their own work. I feel it should be in any contemporary artists library. If your interest is just art, it is a wonderful coffee table book. For the creative individual, it is inspirational and provides a greater understanding on what contemporary art is.

I read this book cover to cover, finding it both engaging and inspiring. I've studied plenty of other books on color, and this one doesn't take the place of detailed works on various color wheels and apporaches to mixing color. But! If, as an artist, I could own only one book on color, this is the one I'd choose -- because I know I can come back to it any time for more inspiration.

This book seemed to turn on a "color ideas" section of my brain, so I'd go to bed imagining colors to try the next morning, and dream in more colors too.

I'm especially impressed that the author presents a full range of approaches to color and painting. His own work is interesting but nothing I'd want to do myself, but he's confident and humble enough to include the work of many other artists as well.

Don't miss this one!

I feel I have a greatly increased understanding of the uses of color. This book doesn't make good/bad assertions, it just explains what is done, why, with examples. I make better color decisions now.

Last year, my art teacher, recommended only two books and this was one of them. I love using strong colors and this book really shows the relationship of color theory and practice. Chapters are well organized on how to use color ..harmony, theory, color and light, and also painting style..color for gesture, expression using color to pull your paintings together. The art history comments are short along with examples and direct and the many color illustrations of artists are beautifully clear on heavy gloss paper.I also purchased Charles Le Clair Watercolor Book which covers watercolor topics much to the same style..equally good.