Color by Betty Edwards: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors

I read my first book by Dr. Edwards -"Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain"- in 1994, when living in U.S.A. Since then the book has been always a few inches from my hand. I really enjoyed reading the book, as well as doing the pertinent excercises. In doing so, I gained a first hand experience in drawing what I was seeing. In a few words, an excellent piece of work. In fact, not long time ago I bought the "New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and "Drawing on the Artist Within".On the other hand, and since I love color, I was always missing a good book dealing with this important issue. Well, here it is! One of the best books I've ever read regarding this complex subject. Well written, richly illustrated, brightly colored, the kind of book you know at once was done by an expert. The book drives you along a smooth path of learning, going from simple excercises to more complex works -e.g. armonizing whole paintings-. The book is really impressive regarding the color insight you gain by reading and doing the excercises. I think it would be useful both for beginners and professionals as well. Simply said, a jewel worth getting as soon as possible!After reading and working with three of her books, I think the only one Dr. Edwards had yet to write -hopefully- is a book dealing with drawing and painting imaginary subjects. Maybe a major issue at present but who knows, maybe sometime in the future ...

Boy, am I glad I bought this book. I am an untrained artist and have learned most of what I know by books. Over the years I bought books on drawing and perspective but never found a book I could use for understanding and using color. This book is it. I already loved Betty Edwards for her 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain', which is hands down the best book for learning to see objects through the eyes of an artist. Now she has given me the key to color. Since I have used this book I am confident about seeing the right colors in the objects I want to paint and knowing how to best achieve that color in my paintings.For all of you who are either new artists or are not happy with your understanding of color...buy this book. It will be the last book you will need on the subject.

Betty Edwards provides clear instruction on how to integrate Color Theory into creating art work. I'm just beginning to explore color. In working with the book, I can see now how to create depth and movement with changing the hue and values of one color. The book has some wonderful color wheels. It's all so important to developing an eye that sees creatively.

Good starting from no background and advancing the reader logically

I bought the book because of my love of photography. As a webpage and product sheets designer, it definitely helped me and I literally followed the exercises. I just love it.

Good resource for understanding colors and applying it to photography.

I just got my copy of this book and am planning how to execute the exercises. Other readers have offered summaries and their views, so I will skip the summary here. The layout and organization of the book is pleasing and logically presented. I can sympathize with the reader from France who complains that a couple of the acrylic paint names are not available. This should be fixed in future editions but you should simply look for the nearest possible pigment (despite her caveat to the contrary)--what I think she is advising most against is falling in love with the more complex paint colors available and not disciplining yourself to stay with the basics. I wish that the exercises were amenable to colored pencils and I will try them with colored pencils first (a glutton for punishment, perhaps?).Some of what she discusses is in the earlier books but this is certainly extended much further in this volume and it is comfortable reading. Luckily, she has largely omitted her discussions of left/right brain theory, making this book more accessible to readers unfamiliar with or hostile to her view.I am also sure that some 'real' artists, or artists of the more romantic bent will rail against her presenting color theory in this way. I believe that it is true that it is better to rebel once you have learned at least one formal system. Her approach is probably most helpful to those of us intimidated by art classes and artists but who want to learn to express ourselves visually and extend this area of our capacity.

The book on color is a very wonderful read and help. Only wished I had purchase it a long time ago. As I have a lot to learn and I’m learning a lot it’s better than a art class. It’s made for a kindle read 5 stars