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The Complete Color Harmony, Pantone Edition: Expert Color Information for Professional Results
The Complete Color Harmony: Pantone Edition is the latest in Rockport Publishers' best-selling color series. Completely revised from start to finish this new edition, is written by Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. And the color "moods" that she writes about in each chapter are based and matched with Pantone colors. The book expands on previous editions for the most comprehensive color reference to date.
This edition includes information on creating special effects, as well as an entirely new section devoted to the psychology of color. Eiseman helps readers determine their best color choices and suggests why some colors may inspire their creativity while others don't. The book includes new color palette sections along with expanded and updated color trends.
This edition includes information on creating special effects, as well as an entirely new section devoted to the psychology of color. Eiseman helps readers determine their best color choices and suggests why some colors may inspire their creativity while others don't. The book includes new color palette sections along with expanded and updated color trends.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2017
472 people are currently reading
1228 people want to read
About the author
Leatrice Eiseman
23 books21 followersLeatrice Eiseman is an American color specialist, who assists companies in their color choice in a range of areas, including packaging, logos, and interior design.
Eiseman holds a degree in psychology from Antioch University, and a counseling certificate from UCLA. She has studied and taught in the fields of fashion and interior design. She is an allied member of the Industrial Designers Society of America and the Fashion Group International, and has received a prestigious service award from the Color Marketing Group.[2] She also selects the 10 top fashion colors twice yearly for Pantone and Women’s Wear Daily.
Eiseman holds a degree in psychology from Antioch University, and a counseling certificate from UCLA. She has studied and taught in the fields of fashion and interior design. She is an allied member of the Industrial Designers Society of America and the Fashion Group International, and has received a prestigious service award from the Color Marketing Group.[2] She also selects the 10 top fashion colors twice yearly for Pantone and Women’s Wear Daily.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 24, 2021
The photos in my Kindle ed of this book are gorgeous, and my favourite chapter is explaining colour terminology and temperatures, not only did it get underneath the theory but offered a few tips. The rest I thought, from colour psychology to the mood colours create, is subjective. I wasn’t convinced by this as it didn’t add much more than (for example) red denotes anger or love. And to be honest, I didn’t need to read this book to tell me this. This vagueness came across more like waffle to fill pages.
The book is written by the Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute, and starts with a thank you from the vice-president of this company, who adds how she hopes it will inspire the reader – my response to this is it kind of has. The photos on my smartphone jump out, and the chapter on mood has lists and lists of colour combinations, which don’t break out of the expected, but I see as a useful guide to make better colour choices.
Elsewhere, rather than this book, I’ve come to understand that Pantone unifies colours. What a brilliant concept, I’m beginning to discover myself how complicated the subject of colour is where there’s a further complexity in the differences of the same colour. For example, red paint from one brand will not be the same red from another, so I did expect more from this book as the company itself is about colour.
The book is written by the Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute, and starts with a thank you from the vice-president of this company, who adds how she hopes it will inspire the reader – my response to this is it kind of has. The photos on my smartphone jump out, and the chapter on mood has lists and lists of colour combinations, which don’t break out of the expected, but I see as a useful guide to make better colour choices.
Elsewhere, rather than this book, I’ve come to understand that Pantone unifies colours. What a brilliant concept, I’m beginning to discover myself how complicated the subject of colour is where there’s a further complexity in the differences of the same colour. For example, red paint from one brand will not be the same red from another, so I did expect more from this book as the company itself is about colour.
September 29, 2017
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As a professional photographer, color theory in my work is extremely important. I am always looking for books that can help deepen my understanding of how to create the most impact with my images. When choosing this Pantone book, my first concern would be that it was directed at scientists or professionals in the color industry. As such it would have been dense and inscrutable since color theory is one of the most fascinating but difficult topics out there. However, I was not only pleasantly surprised but very pleased with this book. It is very friendly and written for the layman - and as such the applicability is endless. Whether you are looking to repaint or redecorate a room, create an artistic piece, or even organize your outdoor garden in a meaningful way with color, this book is incredibly useful.The book breaks down as follows: Introduction sections on color harmony and defining the basic terms (what's the different between a hue and a tint, for example), color wheel and temp, complex colors, discord and dissonance in color, and psychology of color.
The color terms is especially well done - beautiful graphics explain the color wheel in 3d form to get the understanding between, saturation, hue, light and dark. Then we have the temp of a color wheel - including primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Everything is briefly and beautifully explained to make the concepts not only palatable but relatable for whatever uses a reader has for color. Then discord and complex colors are discussed to get an idea of how to harness chaos in color.
The psychology of the color section goes into detail about the 13 colors on the color wheel and how they are best employed/used. Then a huge chunk of the book discusses colors and how they create moods - with examples from earthy to playful, transcendent to powerful. Copious amounts of photographs make the ideas gel into concrete examples that can be applied in many ways by the reader.
The last portion of the book discusses personal colors and what they say about you, changing colors and lives, color trends and forecasting, naming colors, and marketing.
The layout of the book is quite friendly and easy to navigate - this makes an excellent resource you can pick up and find exactly what you need in a timely manner. As well, as a general information tool, the author has done an excellent job of condensing the information so there is a perfect balance of informative but not overwhelming.
This is a book written for everyone, not just professionals in any kind of artistic field. It's both an informative book but also a reference that can be returned to when needed. As such, I find this an excellent and important tool to have ready and available for either professionals in the artistic field or for those interested in redecorating/remodeling. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
November 4, 2017
Having not read a book like this, I was unclear what to expect. Visually interesting and full of guidelines on the effect of colour on our world, I found gems of wisdom throughout. However, it was shorter than anticipated and I’d have enjoyed more on each of the major topics particularly the psychological effects of colour. The palettes of colour are inspiring and the character of colour pieces are useful for deciding on colours for brands. I can see myself using it as a reference book in brand development. A three on the enjoyment scale.
I really appreciated the clarification of the value of colour and brand, my favourite lines include:
“...at every level of the marketplace, colour emphatically establishes a brand image and testifies to the qualities and goals of the company it represents.”
“ Blue is the most popular hue worldwide and, of surprisingly, one third of the world’s branding images are blue. In addition, the internet’s most heavily trafficked websites are colored liberally with shades of blue.”
“The after-image phenomenon has been used to great advantage in operating rooms where medical personnel concentrate on red (as in blood and tissue) to the point of tiring the nerve endings in their retinas. Hospitals have long used soothing greens and blue greens in the OR to rest the eyes of the attending nurses and surgeons.”
“The Japanese art of shinrin-yo-ku urges us to talk a walk in the forest, to further experience the replenishing use of the omnipresent greens.”
I really appreciated the clarification of the value of colour and brand, my favourite lines include:
“...at every level of the marketplace, colour emphatically establishes a brand image and testifies to the qualities and goals of the company it represents.”
“ Blue is the most popular hue worldwide and, of surprisingly, one third of the world’s branding images are blue. In addition, the internet’s most heavily trafficked websites are colored liberally with shades of blue.”
“The after-image phenomenon has been used to great advantage in operating rooms where medical personnel concentrate on red (as in blood and tissue) to the point of tiring the nerve endings in their retinas. Hospitals have long used soothing greens and blue greens in the OR to rest the eyes of the attending nurses and surgeons.”
“The Japanese art of shinrin-yo-ku urges us to talk a walk in the forest, to further experience the replenishing use of the omnipresent greens.”
January 4, 2018
I love colour! My creative output, pastimes and life is all about colour, so a book about it was an obvious choice. And I'm pleased to say I enjoyed it. I was well written, with lovely images and the colour theory was very interesting.
A great companion for any creative.
This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review of it.
A great companion for any creative.
This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review of it.
October 15, 2017
This book has a lot of very valuable information to help artists. It covers defining the basic terminology, what the temp?, complex colors, discord & dissonance, the psychology of color, color & mood, what colors say about you, changing colors & changing lives, color trends & forecasting, naming colors, and lastly the importance of marketing. Not to mention the pictures in this book are so inspiring!
September 30, 2017
excellent tool! This is a lovely and fairly comprehensive color harmony book that would be a nice reference for all creative professionals. I also loved that, unlike a lot of color harmony books I've seen, this one utilized and referenced pantones.
highly recommended to keep in a library for ongoing use or even just color inspiration!
highly recommended to keep in a library for ongoing use or even just color inspiration!
November 12, 2017
A fascinating insight on color by a professional trendsetter:
The Complete Color Harmony is a treasure trove for professionals and laypeople alike, that leads the reader into the fascinating world of color. After I have read about the profound psychological impact that color has on us, how certain colors can be combined to evoke certain moods, and how our use of color can say something about our own personalities I am hooked to the Pantone color combinations suggested in this book. It is interesting to read that a lot of colors that are available today to paint or dye objects, were a luxury in the past or were not available for us at all. We are lucky to have so many color choices today. The art lies in combining those colors successfully. This book the tools for success into our hands with her color combinations for evoking all kinds of moods. I knew about Pantone colors before I read this particular book and I am always fascinated how many of these colors are being professionally used today. I will try to incorporate what I have learned from this book into my personal live and I am looking forward to seeing for how Pantone's modern interpretation of the use of color will be applied in interior design, the world of fashion, product design and other professions. And most importantly, I will keep on enjoying to see color everywhere around me.
The Complete Color Harmony is a treasure trove for professionals and laypeople alike, that leads the reader into the fascinating world of color. After I have read about the profound psychological impact that color has on us, how certain colors can be combined to evoke certain moods, and how our use of color can say something about our own personalities I am hooked to the Pantone color combinations suggested in this book. It is interesting to read that a lot of colors that are available today to paint or dye objects, were a luxury in the past or were not available for us at all. We are lucky to have so many color choices today. The art lies in combining those colors successfully. This book the tools for success into our hands with her color combinations for evoking all kinds of moods. I knew about Pantone colors before I read this particular book and I am always fascinated how many of these colors are being professionally used today. I will try to incorporate what I have learned from this book into my personal live and I am looking forward to seeing for how Pantone's modern interpretation of the use of color will be applied in interior design, the world of fashion, product design and other professions. And most importantly, I will keep on enjoying to see color everywhere around me.
October 1, 2017
I was lucky enough to review two new color inspiration books this month, Color Index XL by Jim Krause, and The Complete Color Harmony , Pantone Edition by Leatrice Eiseman.
"Color Index XL” is a collection of hundreds of five color palettes ranging from warm, to mixed, to cool, each with four versions ranging from bright to muted. CMYK and RGB codes are provided. There is an additional short section on color theory.
“The Complete Color Harmony, Pantone Edition” provides a more organic approach to color moods, along with a collection of two and three color palettes. Pantone codes are provided.
I’m a fiber artist, working primarily in knitting yarns, and am always looking for inspiration. Both of these books were useful working tools.
I reviewed the books in e-book form, and really enjoyed flipping through the different palettes and waiting for one of them to “sing” to me. I particularly liked the format of “Color Index” for its full page layouts. The tone of “Color Harmony” was playful and entertaining, if rather more of the book was dedicated to color marketing than I found useful.
"Color Index XL” is a collection of hundreds of five color palettes ranging from warm, to mixed, to cool, each with four versions ranging from bright to muted. CMYK and RGB codes are provided. There is an additional short section on color theory.
“The Complete Color Harmony, Pantone Edition” provides a more organic approach to color moods, along with a collection of two and three color palettes. Pantone codes are provided.
I’m a fiber artist, working primarily in knitting yarns, and am always looking for inspiration. Both of these books were useful working tools.
I reviewed the books in e-book form, and really enjoyed flipping through the different palettes and waiting for one of them to “sing” to me. I particularly liked the format of “Color Index” for its full page layouts. The tone of “Color Harmony” was playful and entertaining, if rather more of the book was dedicated to color marketing than I found useful.
November 19, 2019
Il libro più interessante è completo sul colore che io abbia mai letto. Si inizia dalla storia del colore, la terminologia usata, i contrasti di colore e le armonie. Vengono analizzati i colori singolarmente e poi ci sono tantissime palette per ricreare emozioni e sensazioni specifiche attraverso l'uso dei colori con le giuste proporzioni. Per finire c'è un interessante capito sulla personalità (se ti piace il rosso vuol dire che.. , se non ti piace vuol dire che..). L'utilizzo del colore nella moda, nel marketing, nell'arredamento... Un libro davvero completo con tutti i codici pantone. Sicuramente lo sfrutterò in ambito lavorativo ma anche per le scelte personali.
October 6, 2017
This book should be considered an absolute must for everyone who has any interest or need of color understanding. This is a superb and brilliant book that gives deep insights into the use of color harmony and pantone. As the book says its expert. Beyond this though its easy to read, accessible and neither dumbs it down nor makes it too technical. You can read it all the way through with delight or use this as a handy guide to dip into as you work. Congratulations to Leatrice Eisman and thank you.
July 14, 2020
I particularly liked the Colour and Mood section and have used the suggestions several times in the composition of my work. The Personal Colours section read more like a horoscope than colour theory unfortunately. I would have enjoyed more information in The Psychology of Colour section such as colour treatments and symbolism used in film, television, and stage. It would get five stars if it had a more in-depth section on colour theory and without The Personal Colours section.
June 22, 2022
A great practical introduction to basic colour theory. It's full of great inspirational examples of colour pairings, contexts, cultural and psychological cues.
While I found it fun to read and extremely visually inspiring I also found it lacking in the deeper theory department.
It features information that is simple to access for free on the web packaged in a very nicely polished package but doesn't "bite" as deeply as I would have hoped.
While I found it fun to read and extremely visually inspiring I also found it lacking in the deeper theory department.
It features information that is simple to access for free on the web packaged in a very nicely polished package but doesn't "bite" as deeply as I would have hoped.
December 20, 2019
Well one certainly does not “read” this book.. but one enjoys the colour swatches within 😉 The colours are all sorted by atmospheric themes so you can easily find the combinations you need. I myself enjoy simply looking through them.. they make me relaxed, kindle my imagination, and bring me to another, better place.
October 30, 2023
Va desde teoría del color a branding. Trae un poco de psicología del color y un buen número de ejemplos para diferentes “estados de ánimo”. Explica también cómo funciona lo de las predicciones de los colores de moda. Es interesante y me gustan las paletas propuestas. Le daría 3.5 estrellas. Es más para diseñadores que para artistas.
February 4, 2020
Great crash-course on color theory. A lot of this book is sample palettes broken down by the emotion, mood, or feeling you want to evoke. I could see how it could be useful to graphic designers, but as a visual artist I found the palettes limited and overall more muted than I like.
May 21, 2021
This book provided me with the concepts of color: its attributes, combinations, inspirations, and significance.
If you need important lessons or the basics of colors, this book is highly recommended.
If you need important lessons or the basics of colors, this book is highly recommended.
January 14, 2023
My obsession with color theory books continue. This one is very concise and informative and really is a great reference for quick color palette studios and inspiration. I wish the “moods” pushed a little deeper, but I will definitely get years of use out of this book.
June 2, 2025
Tựa Việt: Cẩm nang phối màu Phiên bản Pantone
Đúng như tựa sách, chủ yếu là các bộ phối màu theo các chủ đề, không quá nhiều lý thuyết kinh viện. Bản tiếng Việt in màu, đẹp, mỗi tội thiếu mất giữa trang 32 vs 49 phải đi trả sách lại trên Shopee :D
Đúng như tựa sách, chủ yếu là các bộ phối màu theo các chủ đề, không quá nhiều lý thuyết kinh viện. Bản tiếng Việt in màu, đẹp, mỗi tội thiếu mất giữa trang 32 vs 49 phải đi trả sách lại trên Shopee :D
January 5, 2026
The best part of this book was the various sample color palettes arranged by mood and atmosphere that it evoked. The color palettes could be useful for amateurs looking to evoke certain moods in their interiors or clothing choices.
December 18, 2017
Complete Color Harmony, covers the psychology of color, how it fits into our lives and ways you can change the perspective of you space.
February 15, 2018
Can't wait to use this as a guide for color selection as I repaint my home. It's easy to use and vibrant!
October 1, 2018
Buen libro, la información de la teoría del color es básica y comprensiva. Lo mas interesante son las combinaciones de color y la sugerencia de uso de las mismas.
November 15, 2018
Uno de los mejores libros sobre color
July 21, 2019
A completely useful and delightful coverage of the world of color.
October 19, 2019
I found this to be really intuitive. I have used it as references for creating color schemes and understanding the phycological effects that colors have.
July 6, 2020
Muy entretenido, guía básica para este mundo del color que aparentemente es una simple ilusión <3
July 21, 2020
Good for colors mix & match guidance.
March 6, 2021
A mind blowing amount of colour combinations.
May 11, 2021
Completely in it for the color combos--in that regard it is a fun reference book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews