Book cover of Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter

Book description

A researched study on two of art's most fundamental themes, Colour and Light bridges the gap between abstract theory and practical knowledge. Beginning with a survey of under appreciated masters who perfected the use of colour and light, the book examines how light reveals form, the properties of colour and…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Color and Light as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

What I like about this book is that it gives me a different perspective on a subject that I know well—light—but it comes at it from a different angle: that of a painter using traditional media. Starting from the history and tradition of painting, topics such as color are tackled by merging scientific and artistic elements, drawing from the history of color theory to create a comprehensive whole.

Of course, the text is greatly enhanced by the dozens of wonderful illustrations created by James Gurney, which offer beautiful demonstrations of the subject matter.

From Richard's list on The best books about light for artists.

If you love Color and Light...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Color and Light?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 82 books like Color and Light.

Browse books like Color and Light

Book cover of Creative Illustration
Book cover of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Book cover of Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

170

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Color and Light, you might also like...

Book cover of Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up for Yourself in Today's Toxic, Sexist Culture

Sexy Selfie Nation by Leora Tanenbaum,

The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.

Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…

Book cover of In This Together: Connecting with Your Community to Combat the Climate Crisis

In This Together by Marianne E. Krasny,

In This Together explores how we can harness our social networks to make a real impact fighting the climate crisis. Against notions of the lone environmental crusader, Marianne E. Krasny shows us the power of "network climate action"—the idea that our own ordinary acts can influence and inspire those close…

5 book lists we think you will like!