Faber Birren, the noted color authority, surveys the color theories of the past and analyzes the palettes and techniques of painters from the Renaissance to 1965. Showing the relationship between color theory and practice, he sets forth a new art of color based on modern scientific research into human perception. The first part of the book traces the development of color theory, presenting the views of such thinkers as Leonardo da Vinci, Newton, Goethe, Brewster, Hering, Chevreul, Rood, Ostwald, and Munsell. The palettes used by many great painters are described and listed in detail. Modern color theory and color effects based on human perception are fully explained and illustrated. A unique chart of artists' color samples duplicates visually the palettes of da Vinci, El Greco, Rembrandt, Turner, the Impressionists, and the Abstract Expressionists, enabling the painter of today to match the color effects of these painters. The second part of the book offers a comprehensive history of painting as seen through the discerning eyes of a color specialist; it contains a wealth of reference material that supports the creative principles outlined in the first section. The book contains over 500 illustrations, including 80 reproductions of famous artists and their palettes.

History of Color in Painting With New Principles of Color Expression

Faber Birren

Van Nostrand Reinhold Company

This is an essential basic book on color, written by the best-known colorist of our time for beginners seeking a thorough grounding in the comprehension and solution of color problems, and for mature artists and teachers interested in keeping abreast of recent findings and conclusions.

Principles of Colour: A Review of Past Traditions and Modern Theories of Colour Harmony

Van Nost. Reinhold

"Birren presents a kaleidoscopic view of color information that has been a source of fascination." -- Color Research and Application "Keeps up with the latest developments in biology and psychology where light and color are involved." -- AIA Journal Here is a major work by one of the best-known color authorities in the world. Faber Bitten pioneered in the field of "functional" color, using color properties to promote human welfare psychologically, visually, and physiologically; in this volume he has assembled a wealth of information on the subject. Color and Human Response offers intriguing factual and hypothetical observations on the influences of color in life, supported by historical references and the latest scientific data. Birren explores the biological, visual, emotional, aesthetic, and psychic responses to color -- referring both to ancient symbolic uses of color as well as its application in the modern environment. His specifications for color in homes, offices, hospitals, and schools are geared toward relieving modem tensions and anxieties. Complete with drawings, color photographs, and a chapter on the personal meaning of color preferences, Color and Human Response will fascinate anyone concerned with the human environment, including scientists and psychologists. It has become a basic reference for architects, teachers, and interior and industrial designers.

Color and Human Response

Arts & Photography

Graphic Design

Van Nostrand-Reinhold

Discusses color theory as it applies to textile crafts

The Textile Colorist

Van Nostrand-Reinhold Co.

American writer Faber Birren devoted his life to color and it's effects on human life. After writing around 25 texts on the topic, it would be safe to say his work is considered highly among color experts and psychologists around the world. Birren's work has a strong focus on linking how humans perceive colors to how it makes them react. He writes, "Good smelling colors are pink, lilac, orchid, cool green, aqua blue." Birren explores the work of several physicians, scientists and doctors, mainly the German psychoanalyst and physician Felix Deutsch, whose findings throw important light not only on medical practice with references to color but on the whole psychology of color. Birren states that if a person prefers warmer colors such as hues of red and oranges, they are likely to me more aware of their social environment. He labels these as "warm color dominant subjects." On the other hand, those preferring cooler colous such as blues and greens, are categorized generally as "cold color dominant subjects" and are recognized as finding it challenging to adapt themselves to new environments and situations". By splitting people into separate categories, based on their color preferences, Birren finds himself able to establish a greater understanding of their personalities and characteristics. One experiment Birren explores in his text, courtesy of Kurt Goldstein, involves a subject standing before a black wall with his eyes shut and arms outstretched to touch the wall in front. When the subject is influenced by a warm color such as the color red, his arms deviate away from each other, whereas when under the influence of a cooler colour such as green or blue, even though the reaction is a subtle one, the subject will move his arms closer together. I find this experiment, simple as it is, to be fascinating in highlighting the strong effects colors have on our minds and bodies. As well as distinguishing the differences in peoples' character through his use of color psychology, Birren also touches on the effects colors can have on the mentally ill. This section was the most interesting and involved a series of complex experiments such as discovering which neurological disorders were linked to which colors. Courtesy of the work by Hans Huber, it was proven that patients suffering manic tendencies preferred the color red, a symbol of blood and anger. Hysterical patients were more sensitive to green, "perhaps as an escape", the color linked to paranoid subjects was found to be brown and schizophrenics are sensitive to yellow. Birren states that persons troubled with "nervous (neurotic) and mental (psychotic) disturbances are greatly affected by color and are responsive to it". Therefore color becomes much more significant to them, and affects them in a completely different way than those without such neurological disturbances. Chapter 12 "Neurotics and Psychotics" is the most compelling in the text as it relates to my dissertation topic. After struggling to find texts specific to my research subject, this text and its contents came as a welcomed discovery and I will be referring to Birren's work throughout my further research.

Color Psychology And Color Therapy

Politics & Social Sciences

Anthropology

Lushena Books