Color Theory: An Essential Guide to Color--From Basic Principles to Practical Applications - Paperback

by Patti Mollica (Author)

In this essential guide, accomplished artist Patti Mollica walks you through the most important aspects of color theory as they relate to oil and acrylic painting.

Regardless of your medium, a solid understanding of color and its applications is essential. Petite in size but packed with information, this fresh, contemporary take on the subject of color features step-by-step projects and practical tips and techniques to put color knowledge to effective use.

From pigment characteristics and color mixing to color psychology, you'll find all the insight you need to make dynamic, harmonious, and meaningful color choices in your own works of art.

You'll find within: discussions and illustrations of the complexities of color and how to use it as a tool for communication; tips for creating vibrant mixes, lively blacks, realistic greens, and flesh tones; and an inspiring collection of fresh and contemporary artwork.

• Begin with an overview of color in the history of art and the science behind color.
• Then learn color basics: the color wheel; hue, saturation, and value; color and value; color temperature; color relativity; and color schemes.
• Everything you need to know about pigments and paints is detailed next.
• With these essentials covered, move on to integrate color with your compositions and painting style as a means of expression.

Harness the power of color in your painting with Color Theory!

Front Jacket

Patti Mollica has been a fine artist and professional illustrator for more than 30 years. Her artwork is known for its fearless use of color and uninhibited brushwork. She delights in painting the world around her in a bold, decisive style, with hues that are intense, brilliant, and contemporary.

Back Jacket

In this essential guide, accomplished artist Patti Mollica walks you through the most important aspects of color theory as they relate to oil and acrylic painting. From pigment characteristics and color mixing to color psychology, you'll find all the information you need to make dynamic, harmonious, and meaningful color choices in your own works of art.
- Discusses and illustrates the complexities of color and how to use it as a tool for communication;
- Offers tips for creating vibrant mixes, lively blacks, realistic greens, and flesh tones;
- Features an inspiring collection of fresh and contemporary artwork.

Author Biography

Patti Mollica is an impressionistic and contemporary painter who believes that a painter's job is to show the viewer the inherent beauty of all subjects and scenes. She is the author of several books on painting, including Artist Toolbox: Color; Getting Started: Master the basic theories and techniques of painting in acrylic; Modern Acrylics; Special Subjects: Basic Color Theory; and Color Theory. She was selected by Golden Paints to conduct lectures and facilitate workshops demonstrating "Creative Techniques Using Golden Paints and Mediums." She lives and works in New York City and Nyack.