Customer Reviews

ColorSense: Creative Color Combinations for Crafters

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I must have read (and probably own) dozens of books about color theory. Some I've found close to worthless, some are useful, and a very few are really helpful. Color Sense is one of those.
Levin, a cofounder of K1C2 (a great knitting company) and inventor of the Rainbow Color Selector, has written a book which must be the color book she has always wanted to find but hadn't.
The first section, How to Use this book, cover all the basics of color. First it covers how the pages are organized, so the reader can understand the color combination pictures. Then it talks about the swatches and templates included at the back of the book. It also shows you in detail how to use the small Rainbow Color Selector that is included with the book.
Before a short glossary of color terms, there is a discussion of color considerations. These aspects, proportions, undertones, value, and other factors make or break many projects. These simple explanations will help you identify problems with your color schemes and repair them.
The heart of the book are the color palettes. They are divided into three large groups: combinations of one,two, three, and four colors. The main types of color combinations, like complementary or triad, are put into one of these groups.
For each color combination, based on the twelve-color color wheel, there is a two-page spread. On the left page, the top contains three swatch diagrams for the combination, one light, one saturated, and one dull. Below each of these are several combinations in that particular value range showing different proportions of each of the component colors. I find this fascinating because the matter of proportion in color combinations is rarely shown but is very important, particularly in fiber arts. I'm sure you will find that some combination are much more appealing than others.
The right page shows 20 more color combinations, five against each of four backgrounds. Various shades of the main colors are shown with no background and against white, gray, and black. The same combination of shades is shown against each of the backgrounds.
Although the particular choice of background color also has a big effect in needlepoint, these samples can help lots in making a decision between, say, a light blue and a navy blue for a pillow background.
The books ends with a set of color swatches, all printed on card stock, with 7 shades for each of the twelve colors, plus multiple swatches of black, white, and gray. You can take these out and create your own color combination or match the cards to combinations in the book and carry them with you when selecting threads.
Throw in a Rainbow Color Selector and you have a wonderfully complete and usable book on color which is aimed at anyone who works with thread, yarn, or beads.

This book is just what I needed. My head starts to hurt when reading elaborate explanations of color theory. This book is great because it goes beyond teaching you about how color works to SHOWING you how colors work together. And it doesn't just give you one-two examples like most books.

It takes each major strategy of combining colors such as analogous, complementary, split complementary, square tetrads, rectangular tetrads, etc. and shows you swatches of them in action for every color family! It also varies the proportions so the effect of that can be observed. WOW! I didn't realize until I bought this book how important that concept can be in effective use of color.

Just as one example: you can see what red-orange as the main color and it's split complements in different proportions would look like. It also shows you the effects in tints and tones. All this is arranged on a page in a table making it easy to see your favorite way of combining the colors. As a knitter, I immediately see the effect of using the different color combinations in a multitude of proportions. For me, this is the best color book I could ask for to help me choose yarn for my projects.

Yes, you could sit down with a color wheel and create your own color combinations and there is a wheel included so you can. But it is most helpful to have the work done for you.

I don't understand why anyone would be disappointed in this book if they are looking for a tool to make pleasing color choices for crafts such as knitting, weaving, beading, etc. I can even see the usefulness of this book in helping me coordinate my home decor.

I've always been intimidated by color wheels and the like - the terminology has been beyond me as well.
This book not only explained it very simply and concisely, the examples in the back and the color swatches make selecting colors for a project absolutely 'dummy proof'. A must for color dunces like myself. I'm still not an expert, but at least have the confidence that I'm not going to make ugly projects.
Perfect size to take with me to the store, and it's indestructible.

Susan has done an incredible and very thorough job of teaching color theory in a very down to earth, non-technical, easy to understand way. This is a perfect book for anyone who wants to learn about the interaction of colors, for creating or for life! Susan presents color in so many combinations, patterns and designs and thoroughly explains how colors interact with each other. Cool color chips in the back and great small color wheel included. A MUST for anyone who wants to learn more about color, crafters and artists of all kinds.

The book ColorSense: Creative Color Combinations for Crafters by Susan Levin published by Sixth&Spring Books (2008) is a book that helps crafters of all genres, including knitters, choose pleasing color combinations.

Every so often you may see a color combination that says to you, "Who would have thought that those colors would look well together?" or "Yikes, who in their right mind would put those colors together?" or even "I'm sticking to the basics and not going to leave what I'm comfortable with ever!" and finally, "I'm only using the colors the designer recommends, so that pattern won't work for me because those colors don't work for me." Levin's book is one answer to learning how to use colors in combinations that are pleasing, adventurous but still look good, or how to experiment with color "safely".

The book Color Sense comes with a color wheel, color swatches and masking templates. These tools allow you to choose a color or combination of colors and place them on a background of black, gray, cream, and white to see what they look like together. The masking templates can be used with your actual materials and will filter out opposing colors. All of these tools are extremely helpful, but since I'm not used to any of these tools (art class from high school was a long long time ago) I personally had a hard time learning to use them. I will use this book, but I think I need an even more basic book or one that does not offer as many choices as Levin offers.

The book is broken into sections the first one on how to use the book, and the next four chapters are: monochromatic colors, two-color combinations, three-color combinations and four-color combinations. There is only a cursory discussion of color theory, but if you are already grounded with a knowledge of color theory this book will probably expand your horizons and let you experiment at will. If you need color theory this book may not be the place to start.

Disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Two things I like about a book is one that tells you what you already know but looks at it form a different angle; the other thing I like is to be surprised with something that I should have known but did not. This book has both and more.

The first chapter is on how to use the book with 20 action packed, well maybe not action packed but information packed pages on how to get the most out of the book. This is a good starting place.

The book was designed for needlework's and painters and the like. However I have two other reasons I bought the book. First for general knowledge to be able to see the world in a different way "But Now Can See!" The practical purpose is planning colors for dyeing yarn.

The book comes with a color wheel and detachable color samples to carry with you while shopping. I may have to buy a second copy as I can not force my self to dismantle the samples.

The book has a practical binding and is more than worth the cost.

Way to go Susan Levin.

Color Works: The Crafter's Guide to Color

This book is an excellent tool for color design. My crafts include crochet, and I have already used it to choose pleasing color combinations for an afghan I had wanted to make for a while, just could not decide which yarn colors to use. The color wheel included with the book is really handy and makes quick work of selecting multiple colors that are harmonious. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who works with design involving color.

So much information that is useful, especially the color wheel in the back.
Really inspiring for ideas for unique color combinations, as the title states.
I love to look at it, the pages are beautiful!

Also love the spiral binding.

Two things I like about a book is one that tells you what you already know but looks at it form a different angle; the other thing I like is to be surprised with something that I should have known but did not. This book has both and more.

The first chapter is on how to use the book with 20 action packed, well maybe not action packed but information packed pages on how to get the most out of the book. This is a good starting place.

The book was designed for needlework's and painters and the like. However I have two other reasons I bought the book. First for general knowledge to be able to see the world in a different way "But Now Can See!" The practical purpose is planning colors for dyeing yarn.

The book comes with a color wheel and detachable color samples to carry with you while shopping. I may have to buy a second copy as I can not force my self to dismantle the samples.

The book has a practical binding and is more than worth the cost.

Way to go Susan Levin.

Color Works: The Crafter's Guide to Color

This book is terrific. It answers all of my questions regarding color and color combinations. It has a removable color wheel that is very helpful in aligning attractive color combinations to my projects. Great purchase.