Color Workbook, 4th edition
Title overview
Explores color theory through hands-on student activities
Color Workbook presents a wide-ranging overview of color theory and design combined with student activities that reinforce color concepts through hands-on experience. With a practical focus partnered with accessible explanations and application exercises, this program continues to prove successful with students and instructors.
The new edition contains enhanced images and updated interactive activities for students to apply the concepts in each chapter.
Learning Goals
Upon completing this book, readers should be able to:
- Identify color theoretical concepts
- Learn color techniques
- Recognize the use of design elements and principles
- Apply color theories into one’s personal artwork
- Updated studio exercises, experiments and studies–Numerous activities are included to guide students as they implement the concepts included in the text. (ex. p. 189)
- Emphasis on both color and design–A variety of hands-on activities–on both color and design–reinforce the conceptual information that students receive from readings and lectures. (ex. p. 15)
- Updated content on computer color, with specific exercises–The fourth edition of the text has been expanded to include more information on digital graphics and color, with specific exercises that allow students to create color studies digitally. (ex. p. 129)
- Coverage of design elements and principles–The text includes activities that address the use of design elements and principles without color, as they are presented in a 2D design course. In subsequent chapters, the color theoretical concepts are combined with these 2D design concepts. (ex. p. 147)
- Flexible presentation of topics–The workbook’s fluid organization allows instructors great flexibility to utilize the text’s activities in their course.
- A clear, organized format with enhanced images –This workbook is organized efficiently to present detailed information on color theory in a clear and logical manner with vibrant images.
- Updated studio exercises, experiments and studies – Numerous activities are included to guide students as they implement the concepts included in the text. (ex. p. 189)
- Updated content on computer color, with specific exercises –The fourth edition of the text has been expanded to include more information on digital graphics and color, with specific exercises that allow students to create color studies digitally. (ex. p. 129)
Table of contents
In this Section:
1. Brief Table of Contents
2. Full Table of Contents
1. BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE COLOR STUDY
Chapter 1 The Nature of Color: Color Physics and Perception
Chapter 2 The Color Circle and Color Systems: An Exploration
Chapter 3 Attributes of Color
Chapter 4 Color Interaction
Chapter 5 The Materials of Color
Chapter 6 Computer Color
PART TWO DESIGNING WITH COLOR
Chapter 7 The Elements of Design
Chapter 8 The Principles of Design
Chapter 9 Color Schemes and Harmonies
Chapter 10 Designing with Color
Chapter 11 Expressive Color
Chapter 12 Color in Art
2. FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART ONE COLOR STUDY
Chapter 1: The Nature of Color: Color Physics and Perception
Introduction
Color Physics
Primary Colors of Light
Additive Color System
Color Perception
Additive Color Media
Subtractive Color System
The Relationship of Additive and Subtractive Color
Complementary Colors
Local and Relative Color
Activities
Chapter 2: The Color Circle and Color Systems: An Exploration
Introduction
Color Circles and Systems—A Brief History
Color Circles—A Rationale
The Traditional Subtractive Color Circle
Hues—Components of a Color Circle
Achromatics and the Color Circle
Hue Contrast
Hue Relationships on the Color Circle
Color Proportion
Activities
Chapter 3: Attributes of Color
Introduction
Hue
Value
Saturation
Activities
Chapter 4: Color Interaction
Introduction
Color Relativity—Chevereul and Albers
Optical Mixtures
Other Types of Color Interaction
Color Transparency
Activities
Chapter 5: The Materials of Color
Introduction
Physical Color Materials
Process Materials
Activity
Chapter 6: Computer Color
Introduction
Computer Color Basics
The Color Monitor
Bit Depth
Bitmap and Vector-Based Programs
Types of Digital Software
Types of Image Files
Computer Tools
Using Computer Color
Color Management
Activities
PART TWO DESIGNING WITH COLOR
Chapter 7: The Elements of Design
Introduction
The Abstract Concepts of Design
The Picture Plane
Design Elements
Activities
Chapter 8: The Principles of Design
Introduction
Order and Chaos
Gestalt Theory in Design
Design Principle—Unity
Economy
Design Principle—Emphasis
Design Principle—Balance
Design Principles—Proportion and Scale
Design Principles—Movement and Rhythm
Activities
Chapter 9: Color Schemes and Harmonies
Introduction
Simple Color Harmonies
Contrasting or Opposing Harmonies
Balanced Color Harmonies
Keyed Color Harmonies
Informal Color Harmonies
Activities
Chapter 10: Designing with Color
Introduction
Color Unity
Color Emphasis
Color Balance
Color to Depict Form, Light, and Space
Color Rhythm and Movement
Activities
Chapter 11: Expressive Color
Introduction
Color Psychology
Color Symbols
Environmental Color
Color Harmony versus Color Discord
Color Preference
Color Expression
Free-Form Color Harmony
Thematic Color
Activities
Chapter 12: Color in Art
Introduction
Reflected Light—Mosaics
Primacy of Form—The Renaissance
Light and Movement—The Baroque
Poetry in Color—Romantic Period
Time and Place—Impressionism
Simple Elegance—Japanese Art
Color Expression—Neoimpressionism
Fauvism and Beyond
Movement in Space—Futurism
Color Utopians—Modernism and Purism
Pierre Bonnard—Premier Colorist
Inner Light—Abstract Expressionism
Commercial Color and Culture
Light Reflected—Minimalism and Beyond
Color and Concept
Pigment and Ritual—Anish Kapoor
Color in Installation and Image
Color in Light and Space
Author bios
Becky Koenig is an artist, educator and author, she has exhibited her artwork in the Western New York region and nationally. Ms. Koenig has an extensive history of studio art education in drawing, painting, design and color theory at colleges in the Buffalo, New York area including: Villa Maria College, Medaille College, Canisius College, Buffalo State College and the University at Buffalo. She has been on the staff of the Department of Visual Studies at the University at Buffalo since 2003 as an academic administrator and instructor in studio art. Her textbook on color theory, Color Workbook, published by Prentice Hall, is currently in its Fourth Edition.
Becky Koenig received a BFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University, and a MFA from the Department of Art, SUNY at Buffalo.
Her work has been exhibited at Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, Burchfield Penney Art Center, Albright Knox Art Gallery, UB Anderson Gallery, all in Buffalo, NY, Niagara Community College Art Gallery, Sanborn, NY, Carnegie Art Center, Tonawanda, NY, Adams Memorial Art Gallery in Dunkirk, NY along with many other sites.
The influence of teaching and studying color theory is evidenced in her works, many of which are concerned with nature, vision, optics and science.