Color Theory Made Easy: A New Approach to Color Theory and How to Apply It to Mixing Paints (Paperback)

by Jim Ames (Author) "This book is the result of my study of color over a seven-year period, during which I have worked as a commercial artist, as a..." (more)
Key Phrases: Daniel Smith, Grumbacher Thalo, Grumbacher Academy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Traditional color theory can be confusing to artists, especially when they try to use inaccurate color wheels as guides to mixing their colors. Now, Color Theory Made Easy presents an alternative approach that cuts through the tangle of established but contradictory concepts that gives artists a universal theory that really applies to their work. Most artists have been taught that red, blue, and yellow are the primary colors—hues that cannot be created from any combination of other colors. However, as a result of years of study, author and artist Jim Ames has concluded that the true primary colors are cyan (a greenish blue), magenta (a violet red), and a yellow that does not learn toward either cyan or magenta.



In Color Theory Made Easy, Ames explains the importance of these three colors as the basis for all our thinking about color. Using friendly, clear language and colorful diagrams, the author lays the foundation in Chapter 1 for applying his color theory in art. He shows that all colors in nature are composed of varying percentages of cyan, magenta, and yellow. Chapter 2 builds on this with a survey of the pigment colors artists actually use. Here the author offers an essential education concerning paint selection, and he lists currently available tube colors that are the most accurate in terms of the true primaries. The final chapter explores color mixing principles based on cyan, magenta, and yellow, and applies these principles through a series of watercolor demonstrations.



In this illuminating book, Jim Ames has broken new ground and given us a workable color theory that is both simple and indispensable.

About the Author
Jim Ames is a graphic designer, illustrator, and watercolorist. A member of the American Watercolor Society, he teaches watercolor at the Flint Institute of Arts. He lives in Flint, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823007545
• ISBN-13: 978-0823007547
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #320,901 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is what is says, August 29, 2002

By	B. V. Dam "van Dam California" (California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book says it is color theory made easy. It is and the authors views on the way we view color were surprising and very interesting to me. The explanations are clear and he is not afraid to make definite recommendations. I now have a clear understanding of the potentials in blending colors. This book gave me a lot of confidence going forward. So.........here I go!

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on color for the serious artist, August 22, 1998

By A Customer

The book is clearly written with many full color examples of color theory application. It is written for the artist who whats to understand the practical side of color theory. The information presented in this book is directly applicable to solving color problems. Mr. Ames focuses on the thre primary colors and how to mix other colors from them.

34 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable!, June 13, 2002

By	Colorgirl "Spreading color around my world" (NE US) - See all my reviews

As strange as it may sound, the system laid out in this book actually won me top prize at a really nice art show- something I never dreamed possible- BEFORE I EVER READ THIS BOOK!

I had purchased three colors on my way to a free hotel night with my family, and they just HAPPENED to be the three colors Jim says are the true primaries (cyan, magenta, permanent lemon). It was a total coincidence that I chose those three to purchase on my way there with a piece of paper and cheap brush. Those were the only colors I had with me.

I found the principles to be completely true through my experimentation. All of this quite by accident!

I just found this book recently and was shocked to find out why I enjoyed using these primary colors so much and why my paintings suddenly took on new life! Jim even breaks down a few colors by brand to let you know which are closest to pure primaries. There are excellent photos of examples of how to use the colors as well and compliment the "new" primary scheme with the other paint colors as well.

The principles in this book really work! My top prize in the art show can attest to that.