Colour Mixing Bible

by Ian Sidaway

This book helps artists understand how to mix colours in different mediums and how colour can help to develop their work. Artworks illustrate how to put theory into practice and it is suitable for beginners or professional artists.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts, Reference, Design, Drawing

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introductory text, which makes up about a 1/3 of the book, is a solid overview of the history of color theory, leading the reader to what science has currently taught us about light and refraction. Totally easy to understand and follow - I recommend this for anyone interested in a basic understanding of how color works.

The remaining sections of the book deal specifically with brands of paints/art supplies with recipes for very specific colors. Pages and pages of charts with color swatches. This, to me, was overkill - while useful for a beginning artist, it could also become a crutch that prevented a painter from experimenting with their palette and reaching a better understanding of color on their own. Sort of like instead of learning a language before you travel to a foreign land, you choose to look things up in a dictionary.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I paint watercolors so I was looking for some good color mixing exercises. This book is kind of out of date when it comes to watercolors used and includes no pigment numbers for reference. Many of the colors are either discontinued, reformulated or just plain obsolete.

I will continue my quest for information in a more up-to-date book. Meanwhile, I have discovered the Munsell Color Wheel and am playing around with that.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will have to buy this, full of awesome info to mix paints.

[Steph ✨]

[personal note: the edition I own has the ISBN 13: 978 186 155 6349]

[María Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encontrar este libro fue un regalo para mi aprendizaje con los colores.

Si bien en términos de contenido escrito es breve, contiene un catálogo de combinaciones y mezclas de colores muy exhaustivo. Para diversas técnicas (óleo, acuarela, acrílicos, pasteles, lápices de madera) ofrece tablas referenciales de cómo se ven unos pigmentos mezclados con otros en diferentes magnitudes.

Lo recomiendo para cualquier persona que esté aprendiendo a pintar y necesite profundizar su entendimiento del color. Sin duda será una referencia constante, para estudiar el color y para planificar las paletas de mis proyectos.

[Giovanna Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still learning about color, and this book is helping me a lot. It shows how to mix different colors with clear examples.

The pages are full of color charts and simple tips. It’s very useful for painting, drawing, or using color digitally.

I like that it is easy to understand. I don’t need to be an expert. I can learn step by step. It also inspires me to try new combinations.

[Nicole Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice little color handbook for a variety of media.

[Christina L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating intro into the science and history of color theory. Color mixing sections divided into different paint mediums. Useful and enjoyable book.

[Kelley S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great refresher of color theory and extremely helpful tool in helping me decide which colors I need and want to add to my personal palette.

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is a very good book it is not the best to work with would be greatly improved if it was spiral bound so you could easily keep the page to hand as you paint.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me agradan sus explicaciones detalladas, sobre todo las históricas del desarrollo de la teoría del color y de los pigmentos.

[Another · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good overview using many different materials.

[Tatjana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't paint without this book.
Sometimes I mix mud, then more mud, then more mud still...
then I pick up the book and look for the color I want.

Yeah. Sure, the book probably has shortcomings, but I haven't seen them and frankly don't care.
My only complaint is that the cover seems to be wearing out... ;)

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

magenta + yellow = red, shaded = adding black, tinting = adding white and pastel = adding grey

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

History of color

[Sunny]

thanks