Creative Color by Faber Birren, softback published by Schiffer in the USA. ISBN 978-0-8874-0096-4, price 16.95 in the UK and Europe available from www.bushwoodbooks.co.uk
This work has become a standard classic for any student of colour, and has relevance beyond that for the art student alone, being useful for other artistic and creative disciplines. Birren looks at colour theory and argues that in most cases, little consideration has been given to personal preferences and how they affect the use of colour. This 128 page book clarifies the theories and use of colour like no other book I know. Apart from reading it, the reader is encouraged to practice, in this way, you learn about colour and your preferences. I found this book very interesting, if at times I had to read things twice. What lets it down are the illustrations – they are simply not very professionally conceived and executed.