Achieving the perfect colour is what every artist strives for and this book shows how to do it every time. It is a practical reference guide for artists, from absolute beginners to the more accomplished. Colour is discussed in the context of the whole range of media - traditional oil paints, water mixable oils and alkyd colours; watercolours, gouache, inks; soft pastel, oil pastel and painsticks; acrylics and egg tempera. The book breaks down into three sections: the first looks at how we see colour and tone and how we have to adapt what we see in order to paint it. The second section shows a basic palette for each type of paint that would be a sufficient starting point for any artist. The uses, types and characteristics of each medium are explained. The third part of the book looks in depth at 36 popular colours in the artist's palette. For every colour there is a mixing chart (showing the colours that can be achieved when it is mixed with 8 other major colours), with detailed notes, a short account of its origins, a look at its properties and a painting showing key mixes of that colour in use. The wealth of information in this book makes it invaluable to any artist, however experienced and whatever their favourite medium.