Books About Color
Welcome to my big list of the best books about color. I created this list for designers, decorators, artists, crafters, creative DIYers, marketing pros and color enthusiasts just like you.
Unlike, many other lists, I didn't merely search Amazon for books about color. I own and have read almost every one of these books. Enjoy browsing my virtual bookshelves!
Books About Color Meaning, Symbolism, and Psychology
There is more to color than just what meets the eyes. Color influences perceptions, touches emotions, and sways decisions. Explore the fascinating ways our physical bodies, our brains, and our cultures shape the ways in which we interact with color.
History Of Color
Humans have always lived in a world full of color. Examine the ways in which color has influenced our understanding of the world, our language, and our common past.
Books About Color Theory
Take a deep dive into understanding the ways in which artists, philosophers, and designers have struggled to make sense out of color. Whether you’re looking for an overview and a basic understanding of the various color vocabularies or you seek fuller understanding of a particular perspective, color theory is a rich and complex topic.
Color Harmony Guides
Whether you’re a DIYer or a professional designer, understanding the principles of color harmony gives you the edge when it comes to making sure a project is perfect. Hone your color harmony skills with these useful books.
Color Around The World
From the sun-drenched cultures of Mexico to the intricate symbolism of Asian cultures, these books are both useful resources and simply delicious reads. Whether you curl up with these for a little visual exploration or you leave them on a coffee table to tempt your guests, you’ll delight in these books that transport you and your imagination around the world.
Color For Artist & Painters
Roll up your sleeves, put on your smock, and get ready for a range of hands-on guides to effectively mixing and using color in your own art. Both theory and practice, these books help you ground your work in sound principles and techniques.
Color For Crafters, Artist, and Makers
No matter your passion, learn to infuse it with color! I’ve collected books for knitters, painters, jewelry makers, and a host of other pursuits – all geared toward refining your use of color.
Color For Your Garden
There is perhaps no purer and more satisfying way to experience color than to grow it yourself. Learn how to plan gardens to satisfy your craving for color.
Books About Color For Your Home
Feel intimidated by tackling your home improvements without the guidance of a professional designer? Learn practical strategies for creating a harmonious and stylish home environment with these easy-to-understand guides.
Miscellaneous Color Topics
Here’s my kitchen sink category of books I love just because! Some are quite specific, and some are a little off-the-wall, but that’s part of the pleasure of color.
How and Why I Read So Many Books About Color
Years ago, with a small child asleep upstairs and many long and cold New England winter nights to fill, I became obsessed with reading books about color. I read everything color-related I could get my hands on. Earning my Bachelors in Fine Art, followed by many years of experience working with color in my corporate jobs had taught me a great deal, but my appetite for learning about every nuance of color was far from satisfied. So I read and read and read.
With a topic so broad and with so many perspectives on every aspect of color, today I continue to read new books as well as return to my favorites to refresh, renew, and refine my understanding of the intricacies of color. I enjoyed most of the books listed below, and I offer this list to others who are as passionate about color as I am.
Many of these books are available in digital versions in addition to the physical book. While in general, I'm a fan of reading on my tablet, for color books, I much prefer hard copies. I love the experience of flipping back and forth among various images and explanations in a physical book, and I also find that most color illustrations and pictures are more accurate in a hard copy than a digital image on my screen.
Whether in digital ink or on a physical page, I encourage everyone to explore the rich and varied books about color.
Leave a Comment and Let Us Know if You Enjoyed this List of Books About Color
Also, let me know if there are any books that you have enjoyed reading that is not included in my big list of books about color so that I can check them out as additions to this list and my library.
PLEASE NOTE: Sensational Color participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. What this means is that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases,
Feature Image Credit: Kate Smith
Thank you so much for this enriching article. Blessed be.
Thank you for this fabulous list! I was a painter and mixed media artist before becoming ill. I’ve read the books by Phillip Ball and Victoria Finlay. I have a book by Itten, which I never read through completely. I only thought I was pretty well versed on color …
Thank you so much. I was searching about books of color and I’m thinking what will I take. Thank you. I found everything here.
You are very good
Content of this website is amazing thank you
Thank you, Negin!
Thank you for such an extensive list! I am wondering what your top recommendation would be for explaining color affects on mood/emotions?
I highly recommend all of John Gage’s and Michel Pastoureau’s books. And if you’re interested in the relationships between color use and culture, the paper, Revealing Blue on the Northern Northwest Coast delves into the significance of blue to NW Coast Indigenous cultures.
Thanks for putting together this amazing book list. It rocks!
Your welcome, Irma. Thank you for the great comment. I’m smiling knowing you enjoyed the list.