Colour Demystified: A complete guide to mixing and using watercolours

by Julie Collins

Colour Demystified will banish the all-too-common confusion over the watercolour palette and give painters the confidence to experiment with colour mixing.

This book demystifies colour, and helps artists understand how colour works in a highly visual way through the use of colour charts accompanied by examples, practical exercises, and analyses of watercolour paintings.

Numerous artworks by a variety of contemporary artists are featured in the book, covering a broad range of subjects and palettes. Topics such as granulation, iridescence, staining strength, and transparent and opaque colours are explained clearly and simply, and there is practical guidance on colour relationships, using colour to create space, and how to be more creative with colour. 

Armed with a clearer understanding of colour and how it looks and behaves on paper, artists will be encouraged to be more bold and creative in their use of colour in their art. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Unfinished, Crafts

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2021

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

My new interest is watercoloring - even though I don’t have enough years remaining to become competent. But they are so fascinating! Compared to oil or acrylic paintings, watercolor painting (realistic, mixed media or abstract) requires knowing LOTS about the materials: brushes (synthetic or sable), paint from a permanent metal or plastic palette with lid or a clean plastic or porcelain palette, papers ( cold pressed or hot pressed)…
This book is written by an English painter and as the sub-title indicates it’s about mixing colors and a bit about using them.
She’s written books on mixing colors in oils as well as in mixing acrylic paints.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for something more like Handprint.com or Betty Edwards Color Theory An OK book on the subject, missing some historic and modern palettes.

[Christie Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book discussing watercolors and steps to choosing a good palette. Good reference of the different qualities of paints.

[Michmuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent color guides and mixing chart visuals.