6 Books on Colour Theory: For Artists and Designers

Colour is a fundamental element in art and design, having the power to profoundly shape emotions, perceptions, and aesthetics.

Founded in science, understanding the core principles of colour theory is key for those in the creative fields. This knowledge goes beyond basic ideas of primary hues to explore the relationships and interactions between different colours, how they communicate with one another, their effect on the overall composition, and their emotional influence on the viewer.

Sitting at the intersection where art meets science, discover a collection of six books on colour theory for artists and designers, authored by key theoretical figures and esteemed experts in the field. As invaluable resources for any creative, they cover foundational concepts to advanced applications and are perfect for those looking to enhance their understanding and study of colour.

6 Colour Books for Artists and Designers

‘In her “Colour Problems,”… [Vanderpoel] has aimed to combine the essential results of the scientific and artistic study of colour in concise, practical form, and to classify the study of colour in individual eyes, in light, in history, and in nature.’—Brush and Pencil, 1902-08

‘Merely to gaze at the plates one after another is an education of the taste.’—The School Arts Book, 1908

A key publication on colour theory from a pioneering female scientiNEWTOst, this unique work explores the world of colour, reimagining foundational theories for practical use in the fields of art, science, and design.

Developing the colour theories established by Newton, Goethe, and their later compeers, Chevreul and Rood, this unique guide presents accessible colour science to appeal across the disciplines. It breaks down key ideas in a series of experimental and visually stunning illustrations.

First published in 1902, it was underappreciated in its time. Vanderpoel’s expressions of colour changed the face of colour science, anticipating major developments in modern art by nearly half a century and becoming influential for abstract artists like Josef Albers and the Bauhaus School of Art.

‘Perhaps never in the history of science… has a distinguished career equalled in its length that of M. Chevreul.’—The London Lancet, 1883

Discover Michel Eugéne Chevreul’s groundbreaking theories on colour as he explores the principles of contrasting and harmonising colours in this classic text on colour theory.

First published in 1839 as De la Loi du Contraste Simultané Des Couleurs Atlas, Chevreul’s work followed that of Isaac Newton and Johann Goethe. His comprehensive colour guide introduces the concept of simultaneous contrast, explaining how the perception of one colour is affected by those adjacent to it. His advances in colour science were foundational to modern colour theory, influencing artists, designers, and scientists alike.

This edition features John Spanton’s 1861 translation of the original French, accompanied by rich colour plates and a biography of the author.

‘Compiled for the purpose of discovering to the ordinary man the World of Colour.’—Bonnie E. Snow, 1920

‘This book by Miss Snow and Mr. Froehlich is the most important contribution on the subject of colour in many years.’—Prang Co., 1920

A key text on colour theory, this comprehensive guide bridges the gap between colour science and its practical application in art and design.

First published in 1920, Bonnie E. Snow’s Theory and Practice of Color showcases the fundamental aspects of colour theory while providing readers with an in-depth understanding of basic colour principles.

This volume focuses on how colours interact, blend, and affect human emotion. It’s an essential reference book for artists, designers, and those interested in the history of colour theory and its applications.

‘Goethe’s studies of colour are significant for their experiential rather than purely theoretical bias, while the acuity of his observations, recorded with a poet’s sensitivity, is impressive even today.’—Book Review Digest, 1906

A groundbreaking text on colour theory, Goethe’s seminal work challenges Newtonian theories to explore the human experience and subjective nature of colour.

First published in 1810 as Zur Farbenlehre, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s classic work pioneered colour science, exploring the interplay of light and shadow, the emotional effects of colours and their dynamic relationships. Thoroughly detailed and highly illustrated, The Theory of Colour laid the foundation for modern understanding, with Goethe producing the universal colour wheel that is still referenced today.

Though initially controversial, Goethe’s insights have profoundly impacted art and science, influencing figures like Wassily Kandinsky and the Bauhaus School. This edition faithfully reproduces Goethe’s original text and illustrations.

‘The object of this work has been to present, in a clear, logical, and if possible attractive form, the fundamental facts connected with our perception of colour, so far as they are at present known, or concern the general or artistic reader.’—Ogden Rood, 1879

‘The book is full of telling illustrations gathered by a close observer of mountains, clouds, and sky, of foreground and distance, and of light and shade. The point of view is as often that of the painter as it is that of the physicist. This rare combination gives it a unique interest alike to the artist and the student of science.’—National Academy Of Sciences, 1909

This classic text outlines the physical and psychological aspects of colour, explaining the principles of colour perception and light and their application in the arts and sciences.

Ogden Rood’s Modern Chromatics proposes a complex scientific theory on the nature of colour, primarily focusing on the laws of colour harmony and contrast. Written in accessible language and illustrated profusely throughout, it’s a highly practical volume that enhances one’s understanding of colour across creative and industrial contexts.

Proving as influential in the art world as it has been in the scientific history of colour theory, Rood’s timeless work provides an invaluable guide for those looking to master the use of colour, whether through an interest in the theories or their practical application.

‘My design in this book is not to explain the properties of light by hypotheses, but to propose and prove them by reason and experiments.’—Sir Isaac Newton, 1693

‘The experimental results are invaluable.’—Florian Cajori, 1899

One of Isaac Newton’s most influential works, this classic treatise on the principles of colour and light presents his groundbreaking experiments and discoveries regarding the colour spectrum and the nature of light.

Opticks is a landmark publication that laid the foundation for modern colour science. First published in 1704, Newton details his experiments with light, prisms, and the colour spectrum, which led to the establishment of colour theory. His pioneering ideas led to insights into reflection, refraction, and the behaviour of light waves, revolutionising the field of optics.

Highly detailed and thoroughly illustrated, Newton’s Opticks is a cornerstone text on the history of science, the nature of light, and the origins of modern optics. An essential textbook for those interested in his revolutionary work and the physics of light and colour.