"Suppose you want to mix a sky color, a skin color or a tree color... Can you use a recipe? Formulas may offer temporary solutions, but one-size-fits-all doesn't work with color. Develop your color sensitivity and color knowledge so you can devise your own solutions to color problems with style and elegance, using color with confidence."
—From the author, Nita Leland Color touches the emotions. More than rigid rules and theories govern its use. But beautiful color is no happy accident-in order to use color effectively, you must understand how it works. In this classic book, popular workshop instructor Nita Leland illustrates the principles of color with step-by-step demonstrations and finished paintings. You'll find 87 exercises that help you apply this information in your own work, showing you ways to use color to strengthen your compositions... express powerful moods and emotions... create striking harmonies... and more! About the Author
Nita Leland started her art career in 1970 in a YMCA watercolor painting class, and now she travels throughout the United States and Canada as a professional artist, teacher, author, lecturer and juror. Designer of the Nita Leland Color Scheme Selector and a featured artist in Exploring Color Workshop videos, Nita is the author of three best-selling art instruction books published by North Light Books: Exploring Color, The Creative Artist and Creative Collage Techniques (with Virginia Lee Williams). Her informative articles on color and collage have appeared in Watercolor, Watercolor Magic, The Watercolor Gazette, Art Materials Today and ColorQ Connection. Table of Contents- Introduction
- Chapter One
- Exploring the History, Science and Theory of Color
- Learn the history of color in art, the science of how we see color and the theory that affects how you use color in your art.
- Chapter Two
- Learning the Language of Color
- Build your color vocabulary so you can identify color effects and solve color problems without time-consuming trial and error.
- Chapter Three
- Exploring Color Characteristics
- Select your own basic palette with the help of handy reference charts revealing the appearance and behavior of your paints.
- Chapter Four
- Controlling Color Mixtures
- Learn how to mix clean, vibrant colors every time using the split-primary color-mixing system.
- Demonstration One
- Painting With the Split-Primary
- Color-Mixing System
- Chapter Five
- Working with Compatible Colors
- Learn the distinctive harmonies, advantages, limitations and unique expressive potential of six different primary color combinations.
- Demonstration Two
- Comparing Compatible Palettes
- Chapter Six
- Expanding Your Palette With Color Schemes
- Add new, distinctive colors to your basic palette, control them with color schemes and achieve exciting new dimensions in your art.
- Demonstration Three
- Working With Color Schemes
- Chapter Seven
- Using Color Contrast
- Find out how you can use different types of contrast to make stronger pictures, generate excitement and show off your colors to their best advantage.
- Demonstration Four
- Taking Risks with Contrast
- Chapter Eight
- Expressing the Harmony of Light and Shadow with Color
- Bring harmony to your work using techniques such as glazing, shadows, toned supports and consistent dominant light.
- Chapter Nine
- Unifying Color and Design
- Master the elements and principles of color design so you can express yourself freely in a well-planned composition.
- Conclusion
- Selected Bibliography
- Contributors
- Glossary
- Index
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