Color Basics For Makers, Understanding The Rainbow
This may look like a small offering, sitting at under 80 pages in length. BUT, think about it - where would we be without colour? This book is ideal for students and those wanting to comprehend all the colour basics, values such as complementary shades, what the differences are between secondary, primary and tertiary colours….the author also unpicks the more complex parts surrounding colour play. Saturation, tone…it is all covered. Why do we need to learn this information? Because, in order to run, we need to walk….we need to educate ourselves in the theory to appreciate how to use it. Colour is a gift, if we view it as one, we will be more inclined to respect it by working with it, not against it. We will enjoy playing, experimenting….using the exercises so well described by this artist……
I personally enjoyed the pages on ‘photographic inspiration’ (page 51) where the writer suggests finding a photo we like and looking just at the colours within it. It reminded me of my early art days, where I learned colour value for myself. I remember fondly doing thread wrappings to illustrate the colours I perceived within the image I had.
More than anything, overall I see this book as a helper to our mentality. No longer will we pass over the beauty which surrounds us, it is the encouragement I certainly needed to give thanks to such sources as nature, for the diverse range of shades we observe. So take that walk, that footfall in your own garden. What do you see? Can it it inspire you? It should.