Fascinating facts and useful information on all aspects of color.

The most popular colors available to the artist are also the colors that are part of the everyday world. Simon Jennings deals with color history, mythology, science, chemistry and botany, and he tells engaging stories about the great artists and how they used color.

Chapters on each of the primary, secondary and tertiary colors explore their history, composition and attributes. For example, the chapter on blue covers the variety of blues from natural to chemical -- including the Ancient Egyptians' copper-derived frit blue, and the accidental discovery of Prussian blue. Information on pigment standards and the mixing of colors, an extensive 450-color index and a guide to suppliers are useful for anyone working with color.

Artist's Little Book of Color is a handy and attractive guide to the fascinating world of color and an essential sourcebook for artists, designers, art students and teachers.