Color: measured and subjective

[Jim Riley]

The Munsell system is described as a "simple and practical notation or method of writing color" and some of the questions that are often raised by the creative artist deal with matters more related to the subjectivity of color.

Several threads have covered the topic of color wheels and in particular the Munsell color wheel and as I attempted to find among my studio "stuff" a very good example of his color column/tree I found
"The Color Compendium" by Hope and Walch, I thought I would post a note about this book since several respondents questioned the usefulness of the Munsell wheel and it occurred to me that a great reference book such as this one would be a wise investment. (Not cheap. About $65 at Amazon) Color is a very complex study and this book is a good guide to all aspects of this subject.

From the Author:

That color is an art, a science, a culture, fashion and flowers, is all borne out in the pages of "The Color Compendium". We tried to provide ready and quick access to the language of color, the artists, theories, and history that make color a factor in every aspect of our lives.

The book is described as a comprehensive, illustrated encyclopedia entirely devoted to color. Scientific, technical, artistic, psychological, emotional, and historical aspects are covered and I have read some of the authors and artist covered including Faber Birren, Joseph Albers, and Johannes Itten as well as old masters including Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo was among the first to recognize the objective and subjective factors in relation to color and his "simple" color list was white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black. The middle four were later judged by psychologists to be primary in sensation.

Other features:
- A section of color systems, explaining their development and use;
- Sections on color communication and symbolism;
- Biographies of leading historical and contemporary color theorists, and commentaries on their ideas; and
- A fully illustrated section of historic and twentieth century palettes and their source artifacts.

Published in 1990 it is current with recent technology including computers, pigments, holograms, color therapy, etc.

[Timothy C. Tyler]

The Itten book is the large thick hard covered one yes? I really found this to be educational. It helped me learn to design my art with color.

[Jim Riley]

Tim,

Yes, It's a big strong book in many ways and I'm afraid mine was never returned to me. A small group of fellow artist at the greeting card company where I first worked as an artist used to get together daily as a study group and worked our way through his book with a great deal of discussion and a little argument.

I started this thread, in part, because I found it valuable to learn and understand a broad range of thoughts and approaches to color in both fine and applied arts. You just never know where you will find some little gem of insight that provokes or reinforces some special direction or feeling for color and I encourage students to keep their options open until they become excited, attached, or otherwise confident with how they spread in on.