Putnam - Color: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors

Color: A Course in Mastering the Art of Mixing Colors

Master color mixing with proven exercises that train your eye

Betty Edwards revolutionized how people learn to draw by teaching perception rather than technique. This companion volume applies that same transformative approach to color, translating abstract color theory into practical methods you can immediately use. Edwards developed these techniques through intensive workshops, refining exercises that train your eye to see color relationships as they actually exist rather than as you assume they should be.

The progression moves systematically from fundamental color perception through increasingly complex applications. You'll learn to manipulate hue, value, and intensity independently, essential skills for achieving specific atmospheric effects or correcting muddy mixtures. Exercises focus on transforming colors into their opposites and balancing relationships across different subjects: still life arrangements, landscapes, figures, and portraits. Edwards addresses the common struggle of mixing colors that look right in isolation but fail when placed together, teaching you to evaluate relationships rather than individual hues.

More than 125 color images demonstrate concepts and solutions throughout the 224 pages. The 7½ × 9-inch format provides comfortable working size for a book you'll reference repeatedly during painting sessions. Whether you're transitioning from drawing into color work or refining existing painting skills, this systematic approach builds the perceptual foundation that technical mixing formulas alone cannot provide.

Books and Media

Books and Media Purchase Guide

Books and Media

Activity Books - Interactive art books and workbooks for learning techniques and developing skills.

Coloring Books - Adult and children's coloring books for relaxation and creative expression.

Craft and Hobby Books - Instructional books covering various crafting techniques and projects.

Drawing Books - Technique books and tutorials for improving drawing skills and learning new methods.

Painting Books - Comprehensive guides to painting techniques, color theory, and artistic development.

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