The Complete Color Harmony: Expert Color Information for Professional Color Results

by Bride M. Whelan

The Complete Color Harmony is from Rockport Publishers' best-selling series that includes, Color Harmony and Color Harmony 2 . This book expands upon the two previous editions for the most comprehensive color reference to date. Along with some basic color theory, the book provides hundreds of one, two, and three-color combinations selected to reflect a range of moods and adjectives. This edition includes information on creating special effects using metallic and fluorescent color palettes, as well as an entirely new section devoted to the psychology of color. In Complete Color Harmony , authors Tina Sutton and Bride M. Whelan help readers determine their best colors and suggests why some colors may inspire their creativity while others don't. The book also includes two new color palette sections reflecting black and white as the color base, along with an expanded and updated Color Trends section that discusses not only trends and how they are predicted but gives advice on how to be a trend spotter.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Design, Reference, Self Help

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This deluxe 40th anniversary edition is a spectacular guide to color! A must have for designers, artists, etc., who work with color and for those readers who just love learning about hues. I want this for my personal library!

[Betty Cheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

A introductory workbook approach. Starts with definitions, then page after page of useful color combinations. Very good for those who need help choosing an acceptable palette for projects.

I've had time now to take a good look at all those pages of color combinations. I'm not that happy with them. They have the feel of machine-generated combinations that follow the rules for the definitions of color palettes presented accurately and in great detail in the first chapters of the book. Some combinations are lovely and very useable, some are unacceptable. For me the hit rate is too low.

I've also used other books that presented palettes. They offered only a tiny fraction of what is in this book but every one was lovely and the author presented his reasoning for why he chose the palette exceedingly well. The presentation was somewhat emotional and used experiential logic but well. This was the kind of book that developed your color sense and taught you better judgement about color combinations.

This book is probably better for those working with computer programs which will generate color combinations using formulas. After that I recommend using your eyeballs and tweaking the results.

I borrowed this book from my library and you should too.

[Mollified.Moments · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a web/graphic designer, my experience with "The Complete Color Harmony: Deluxe Edition" left me with mixed feelings. While the book serves as a solid introduction to color theory, it didn't offer much groundbreaking information for someone already familiar with the subject.

The content is somewhat simplistic, which may be beneficial for newcomers to color theory looking for a broad understanding. However, I felt it lacked depth in exploring more nuanced applications of color, which are crucial in fields like web design.

One aspect that disappointed me was the visuals. Many of the photos appeared dated and resembled stock photography, which detracted from the overall quality of the book. Despite this, they did manage to convey the intended concepts adequately.

In conclusion, "The Complete Color Harmony: Deluxe Edition" is a decent resource for beginners seeking an introduction to color theory across various applications. However, for those looking for advanced insights or contemporary visuals, it may fall short of expectations.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with access to this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an okay reference book of color schemes, but (as another reviewer said) the color palettes feel computer generated. Most of the palettes need tweaking before use; some were completely unusable. I kept glancing back at the color wheel thinking, "Why didn't they use this shade instead?"

I would suggest this book for someone wanting a jump-start to their search and a brief reminder of color theory. If you're looking for handpicked color schemes or a book that's heavy on color theory, this isn't the book for you.

[Amy (amysbooksnthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this deep dive into color theory. Seeing all the color palettes and learning more about why certain combinations work, and why others do not, was so interesting. This is a book I'd definitely consider buying a physical copy of because it'd be fun to have on hand.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read by Ms. Le Veque. A girl who becomes a woman has not forgotten the knight she fell in love with and refuses all suitors because of the love she still has for him. A knight who was banished from his home and has to make a living as a mercenary, has blocked him memories of the past. When the two meet again, both have questions for the other, yet sees how the other has changed. This causes strain between the two. Men do not think the way women do and requires some intervention by others. Still, there are some that would rather Wynter marry another man and try to steer her in that direction. Gage realizes it has always been Wynter, but he has been away for too long and how would she handle his life as a mercenary? However, there are bigger problems that need to be handled, which brings brother against brother. Can all their troubles be resolved in time before chaos and death reign? I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[SKM · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I'm very biased. I have over 80 Kathryn Le Veque books on my Kindle (some have more than one story in the book) and I've yet to read one that I wouldn't recommend and read a second, third, or more times. This book held up and was amazing.

Our hero is banished by his brother only to return in a mercenary army when his bother oversteps with a neighbor. Our heroine hah loved our hero since forever and is crushed when he disappears yet is elated and destroyed when he returns. You are also introduced to a host of secondary characters who you also cheer for (which is weird because one wants our heroine for himself).

This was a powerfully written book that had me in tears more than once; or grabbed and pulled and tugged at my emotions that I was drained when the book was over. To call this book amazing is an understatement. Read this book!

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Ms. St. Claire's books and give this one a solid 3.5 stars.

I have enjoyed many books by this author and this one did not disappoint. I loved how sweet and caring Christopher was throughout the story from the start. Diana was blinded by an accident and how she adjusted and the way the ton still welcomed her in a way was interesting. I just couldn't get over how much Christopher went out of his way to figure out things for Diana that she was missing and would enjoy/ be able to do. This is a very sweet romance story, of the hero realizing that he missed this amazing woman and now is lucky to have found her again and to protect her. The whole plot to kill the prince/ spy/ revenge side plots keep the story moving but wasn't what I enjoyed the most of out of it.

[Jax · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an anniversary edition of the quintessential guide to color harmony. It unravels the mysteries of colors and how they work together to tell a design story. Designers and artists alike use color to create mood and give a design or work of art energy and life. Color can play on human biases as we associate certain colors with religion, age, or personal characteristics such as strength. Understanding and playing on these biases can help bring about a positive emotional response to a work of art or, if the subject matter warrants it, a sense of gravity.

This is a must-have book for designers, artists, and anyone interested in how color plays a pivotal role in our daily lives.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group-Rockport Publishing and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a story with lovely romance, which is also packed with suspense, drama and a few twists and turns then this is the book for you!

It's got a heroine who is courageous despite her unfortunate circumstances, a hero who is honorable and fearless and will do anything to protect the love of his life, a few villains and wonderful characters.

I guarantee you that you will be drawn into the story from the first page right up until the last page and be totally satisfied. The story is so well-written with great characters and a really well thought out plot. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Highly recommended!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received from Goodreads Giveaway.

I really enjoyed this book and found it very helpful in color theory and design. It’s something I need to work on so I find this to be a great place to start. I really enjoyed the color psychology portion and it makes me want to read more on that. The only thing i wish there was more direction on was how to put the colors together with what makes better accents etc or maybe more real life examples. And there was a section on with halftone and duotone pictures that just really felt out of place and not really well explained.

Overall I thought this was really interesting and informative and will definitely be referencing in the future.

[Shawn Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christopher Anglesey , the Marquess of Banbury, works for the crown when he overhears an attempted do ruin a young lady who is a family friend named Lady Diana Lawrence. Lady Diana Lawrence has been blinded by an accident. The Marquess comes to Lady Diana's defense.. The Next day the marquess's sister and Diana are at a museum where Diana overhears overhears a plot to assassinate the Prince Regent which is the marquess new assignment so Lady Diana and him are thrown together a lot to find out who's behind the plot. They end up falling in love

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kathryne Le Veque is the queen of the Medieval time period. Although this was not one of my favorite books of hers, I did enjoy it for the most part. Gage and Wynter are childhood friends who reunite when Gage returns home after having been banished by his elder brother. For the past six years he has worked as a mercenary.
Thank you Kathryn Le Veque, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

[Pat Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this book. Blind girl gets HEA. The book started out fast, but kind of got bogged down a bit. The conversations tended to be stilted, like they were reading from a script with no emotion. I loved the rescue as well! Overall, a very entertaining read, a couple of laugh out loud moments, and love wins!

[Fernando · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book is oriented for graphic and interior designers: "True colors always come back"

[Sylvia K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without wanting to give too much away it’s not just a romance but also a bit of a mystery/spy story. It had a fab amount of suspense and ties in with the other books in the series well.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Perfect for everyone, from industry rookies to final consumers!
❤️🩷🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🤎🤍🩶🖤
A great introduction to the subject and its endless uses.

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have in every school library!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My favourite part of the book was the psychology of colour, it was so interesting and there was a lot of information I didn’t know about! Also the different types of hues with examples of photographs to better understand what colour combinations can express or make people feel.

Definitely useful for designers of any kind, or to decorate spaces and craft projects.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anniversary edition is beautifully compiled and organized to understand colors, what they mean and how to pair them. It explains every color, details what each color means, and explains how to interpret it.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by color and how colors work together and how they affect us. As a girl I watch my mother explain how to mix oil paints. As a quilter I am thoughtful about fabric color choices.

The Complete Color Harmony offers all the basics for understanding color, including the color wheel, understanding color, the moods created by color, and the psychology of color. The book offers samples of how colors work together, and also a complete color chart of all possible colors.

This resource is particularly useful for graphic, fashion, and interior designers wanting to understand the science of color, but is also useful for craftspeople.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book & it had all the elements that work for me - well-written, good pace, interesting story, lovable characters & Bandit, the heroic horse but most of all, the book left me smiling & feeling happy.

Christopher Anglesey was never supposed to be the Marquess of Banbury, but after the death of his older brother, he now held the title. He has continued working as an agent for the crown & now his friend's sister, Diana, has heard a conversation discussing a murder plot against the Prince Regent's life.

Lady Diana Lawrence is a lovely, brave & intelligent young lady that had her debut season & then a carriage accident left her blind. The doctors don't know why she is blind & hope it will only be temporary, but it has been six months since her accident & she still cannot see.

Christopher & Diana & their families have been acquaintances for years but there has never been anything between Christopher & his friend's sister. Their romance grows slowly but there are other obstacles in their way - the threat to the Prince Regent, a past revenge threat to Diana's family will threaten her life, tends to put their romance on simmer until they can solve life threatening cases. I loved the characters & Bandit, Diana's horse was a star & Christopher was such a tender, understanding suitor showing how much he cared for Diana & only wanted ease her adjustment to being blind. The ending was fantastic!!! ​ I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a kind of compendium of lots of different things about colour, including colour combos, the psychology of colour and explanation of the colour wheel. There are lots of attractive photos so it’d be a nice one (in its physical edition) to keep on a coffee table and dip into during spare moments. Thanks to Netgalley, the writer and publisher for this ARC.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been learning a lot about colors this past year as they pertain to what looks best on you. I found this to be an interesting read as it talked about what the colors mean and how each generation uses colors. Lots of color palettes showing what looks good together. I think this is something I would refer back to.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 2 July 2024

[Alaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

really it's help me in design at my first step when i read it or watch it in a better word i feel in color beside i see it and the rays of color cover me . . i like it and advice any designer or any one interested in art or even who want to change his room color to have it . .

[Gg4gg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Complete Color Harmony: Expert Color Information for Professional Color Results

[Marcus Lira · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was nice to look at, and it had some interesting info, but I wish it focused more on colour theory, instead of showing so many colour schemes.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

hands on book plus theory

[Laurent Saerang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books feel like guidebook to choose color for design, either it is digital or not. It also contain the radiance of the color which trigger some specific emotion from the color.

[Shirin Bagherzadeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful book .
Love it !!!