Customer Reviews

Exploring Color : How to Use and Control Color in Your Paintings

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

I think every artist should read this book. it immediately changed the way I look at color. just ONE part of the book saved me a lot of headaches and explained a lot of the reason I was having so many problems working with color.

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 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.

This is the most comprehensive book I've seen to date on the topic of color. The discussion, examples, exercises and demonstrations are all first rate. This book should be added to any artist's library, regardless of medium.

When I read this book I considered myself and intermediate painter. This book cranked me up a notch. It is full of useful, well stated information that inspired me to try new things, and refine what I already knew. It would be useful to new and intermediate painters.

Before reading this book I'd had an attitude about 'color theory' and such - or at least the teaching of it. Anything I read was either imperious and demanding or so complicated that I'd be lost in the first chapter.

But this book doesn't order you to do things a certain way. It explains what results you will get doing this and what results you'll get doing that. There is no highbrow judgment here about the only "correct" way to do anything. It is clearly written, with lots of pics and examples, and is completely accessible. What a breath of fresh air!

The book begins with a little bit of the history of color in paintings and the physics of color mixing. She doesn't bog down the book with it though. She gives just enough information to put the use of color in painting into context and as a starting point if one wants to do further research.

Then comes the more detailed information. This starts out simply and builds with each chapter. She explains why things happen in color combining and mixing and how to get the desired results. Color in painting is a detailed and complex subject, but, while she encourages you to learn it all, she is never demeaning or rigid that one has to know all this front and back before painting. She explains why knowing all this will help and improve your painting.

In other words she makes me *want* to learn all this rather than making me feel like I *have* to learn it.

One thing to note is the she uses watercolor in her examples and exercises so some adjustment may be necessary for oils.

There are also lots of things to practice in the book. She has exercises for everything she teaches. So when you're done you will have a tremendous visual reference library. I have lots of art books but this one will stay OFF the shelf and easily accessible. The use of color isn't something that can be learned overnight, so do yourself a favor: get this book.

Exploring Color is the kind of book you'll want to tuck under your pillow each and every night. Its pages brim with pure truth, its colors conjure up a million wonderful emotions, its exercises are taoistic in their learning power.

If ever you feel muddled, scanning all those tubes of paint, open up Exploring Color! Instantly, your world of color will pulse with a liveliness, and a confidence, that's simply astounding

I bought this based on other reviews about it. I don't know doodley about color and have always gone on gut instinct...and I've painted over a lot of ruined canvas and wasted a lot of paint.

This is an excellent little book with a lot of exercises to make it all quite clear. Every page teaches me something - I have so far had quite a few "AHA" moments. I am beginning to understand why sometimes a color works and sometimes it is just a little off...

I recommend this for everyone. Thank you Nita Leland.

This is one of the best books available to artists who want to learn to mix colors without creating mud, to maintain transparency of colors, and to mix grays. The workbood that goes with this book is great for any beginning watercolor artist. I recommend this book with all of my beginning students.