Color Value

Clifford, C. R. (Chandler Robbins), 1858-1935Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 108K words
Chapters: 11

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Color Value by C. R. CliffordAuthor: Clifford, C. R. (Chandler Robbins), 1858-1935,Language: English, Class: NK: Fine Arts: Decorative and Applied Arts, Decoration and Ornament, Release Date: Apr 11, 2008

Editor's review

Color Value is an early English work on color value by Clifford, falling under the subject of decorative and applied arts. Its appeal lies in a concise discussion of the practical value of color in design and decoration rather than an accumulation of abstract theory. For today's design learners, the book is more like a window: a way to see how earlier writers attended to color harmony, lightness, and visual effect, and the habits of expression within the decorative arts context of that era. The text is moderate in length and practical in language, suitable as supplementary reading or historical reference on color. Readers might approach it with specific questions, such as how the author judges the "value" of a color combination and how those criteria compare with contemporary color theory. As it is a public-domain electronic text, it is best read alongside a modern introduction to color fundamentals, gaining a historical perspective while avoiding the mistake of treating early views as today's design standards.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the history of decorative art and color application
Design students seeking supplementary reading on color
Practitioners in crafts, decoration, or visual display who want to learn about early color concepts
General readers who enjoy short English public-domain art texts

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking contemporary color science data and colorimetry textbooks
Beginners hoping for a systematic guide to design software
Readers who prefer extensive plates or a complete course structure

Reading tips

Skim the table of contents to grasp the scope, then read closely the chapters relevant to your own design practice.
Note the author's criteria for judging color value as you read, and compare them with modern color theory.
Pair the reading with hands-on color exercises, testing the book's views against actual visual effects.
If English reading is difficult, start with background material on decorative art history before working through the original text in sections.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book suitable for someone learning color matching from scratch?

It can serve as supplementary reading, but it is not recommended as the only introductory book. Its perspective on color value belongs to an early decorative arts context and lacks contemporary systematic color training. Beginners should first master basic color concepts, then treat this book as historical reference and supplementary reading.

Does the book cover theory or practice?

Based on the material, the book falls under decorative and applied arts, discussing color value with an emphasis on practical discussion rather than pure abstract theory. It focuses on judgments about color in decoration and design; specific practical steps need to be supplemented by the reader's own exercises and other materials.

What prior knowledge is needed to read this book?

Basic color knowledge—concepts such as lightness, saturation, and harmony effects—will make the reading smoother. Some familiarity with decorative arts or design history will also help in understanding the expressive habits and criteria of the author's era.

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About the author

Clifford, C. R. (Chandler Robbins), 1858-1935 Author · 1858–1935

C. R. Clifford (Chandler Robbins Clifford, 1858–1935), usually cited in Chinese sources by the abbreviated form of his full name, was an author known for his work on color in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Public information about him is limited: details of his life, nationality, and professional career are unavailable, and the only confirmed work is Color Value. The book addresses the value properties of color and belongs to writing on color theory and its applications, likely aimed at readers in art, design, or printing and color matching. Clifford's writing emphasizes clear definitions and practical judgment, seeking to turn abstract color relationships into standards that can be grasped and compared. Such work is of some reference value in early discussions of color standardization and offers a textual basis for understanding the color concepts of his time.