Color is Everything

Why do so many people try their hand at painting, get discouraged and quit? It isn't for lack of talent, says artist and author of new book. "Color is usually the culprit," says Dan Bartges, author of Color is Everything. "Far too often," he explains, "people try painting and get discouraged. They decide they must lack a sense for color, but all they really lack is an understanding of how color harmony works."

Written in cooperation with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and The Color Wheel Company, Bartges' 96-page book shows exactly how to achieve color harmony in any painting using oils, acrylics or watercolors. Concise explanations and insightful exercises are illustrated with more than 100 full-color paintings from the collection of the Virginia Museum and by the author.

"Once color's simple principles are understood," adds Bartges, "three wonderful things happen: People paint better pictures, their confidence rises and they have a lot more fun painting."