a field guide to color

A Field Guide to Color: Mastering the Art and Science of Hue

Author: Dr. Evelyn Reed, PhD in Color Science and Professor of Design at the Rhode Island School of Design. Dr. Reed has over 20 years of experience researching and teaching the principles of color theory, application, and perception.

Publisher: Chromatica Press, a leading publisher specializing in art, design, and visual communication. Chromatica Press is known for its high-quality, visually rich publications that are both accessible to beginners and insightful for experienced professionals.

Editor: Alexandra Davies, a seasoned editor with 15 years of experience in the publishing industry, specializing in scientific and technical publications.

Keywords: a field guide to color, color theory, color psychology, color mixing, color perception, color harmony, color palettes, color schemes, color wheel, color application

Summary: This comprehensive field guide to color explores the multifaceted world of color, encompassing its scientific basis, artistic applications, and psychological impact. From understanding the color wheel and basic color harmonies to advanced techniques like color mixing and palette creation, this guide provides a practical framework for anyone working with color, regardless of their skill level. It navigates common pitfalls, offers practical advice, and equips readers with the knowledge to confidently utilize color in various contexts.

Introduction: Navigating the Spectrum with Your Field Guide to Color

Color is more than just a visual element; it's a powerful tool capable of evoking emotions, communicating ideas, and shaping perceptions. This field guide to color aims to demystify the world of hues, saturations, and values, offering a practical and accessible resource for artists, designers, and anyone fascinated by the complexities of color. We will explore both the scientific principles behind color perception and the artistic strategies for effective color application.

    • Understanding the Fundamentals: The Color Wheel and Basic Color Theory

This section of your field guide to color lays the foundation. We'll delve into the color wheel, exploring the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. You'll learn about additive and subtractive color mixing, understanding how colors interact in different contexts (light vs. pigment). We’ll discuss the importance of hue, saturation, and value (HSV) and how manipulating these elements impacts the overall impression of a color scheme.

    • Color Harmonies: Creating Visually Appealing Combinations

Mastering color harmony is key to creating visually pleasing designs. This section of a field guide to color will cover various color harmonies, including:

Complementary Colors: Understanding the dynamic tension and vibrancy created by opposite colors on the color wheel.
Analogous Colors: Utilizing colors that sit next to each other on the wheel for a harmonious and cohesive feel.
Triadic Colors: Exploring the balanced and vibrant combinations of three evenly spaced colors.
Tetradic Colors: Mastering the complex interplay of four colors, creating rich and sophisticated palettes.
Monochromatic Colors: Utilizing variations of a single hue for a unified and elegant look.

We will provide practical examples and illustrate how to apply these harmonies effectively.

    • Color Psychology: The Emotional Impact of Color

Color isn't just about aesthetics; it profoundly affects our emotions and psychology. This section of our field guide to color explores the cultural and psychological associations of different colors, helping you understand how to use color to evoke specific feelings and moods in your work. We'll examine how color influences branding, marketing, and interior design.

    • Advanced Color Techniques: Mixing, Matching, and Palette Creation

This section takes you beyond the basics. We’ll explore advanced techniques such as color mixing (both digital and physical), creating custom color palettes, and understanding color temperature. We’ll also discuss the nuances of working with different color spaces (RGB, CMYK) and their respective implications.

    • Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced colorists encounter challenges. This part of a field guide to color addresses common pitfalls, including over-saturation, muddied colors, and ineffective color contrast. We'll provide practical solutions and strategies for avoiding these issues.

    • Color in Different Contexts: From Painting to Web Design

Color application varies significantly depending on the medium. This section explores the specific considerations for using color in various fields, including painting, graphic design, web design, interior design, and fashion.

    • Tools and Resources for Working with Color

We’ll list and review helpful tools, software, and websites that can assist you in your color explorations – color pickers, palette generators, and color theory apps.

    • Case Studies: Analyzing Successful Color Applications

This section examines successful uses of color across various design disciplines, highlighting the strategic choices made and the resulting impact.

Conclusion:

This field guide to color has provided a comprehensive overview of color theory, application, and psychology. By understanding the fundamental principles and applying the techniques outlined here, you can unlock the power of color and confidently use it to create impactful and visually stunning work. Remember, practice is key – experiment, explore, and refine your skills to develop your unique color sense.

FAQs:

    • What is the difference between additive and subtractive color mixing?
    • How can I choose the right color palette for my brand?
    • What are some common mistakes to avoid when using color in web design?
    • How does color affect mood and emotion?
    • What are some good resources for learning more about color theory?
    • How can I create a harmonious color palette using analogous colors?
    • What is the difference between hue, saturation, and value?
    • How can I use color to improve the readability of my text?
    • What are some software programs that are useful for color manipulation?

Related Articles:

    • The Psychology of Color in Marketing: Exploring how color impacts consumer behavior and brand perception.
    • Mastering Color Harmony: Advanced Techniques: Delving into more complex color schemes and their applications.
    • Color in Web Design: Best Practices and Trends: Focusing on current trends and techniques in web design.
    • Creating Effective Color Palettes for Branding: A guide to building strong brand identities through color.
    • Color Mixing Techniques for Painters: A deep dive into color mixing for traditional painting.
    • Understanding Color Temperature and its Impact: Examining the warm and cool aspects of color.
    • The History of Color Theory: Exploring the evolution of color theory from ancient times to the present.
    • Color Accessibility for Web Design: Guidelines for creating inclusive and accessible websites.
    • Color and Emotion: A Deep Dive into Psychological Effects: An in-depth analysis of the emotional impact of different colors.

  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Color Lisa Solomon, 2019-08-27 Play with paint, get creative with color, and discover your personal palette--a joyful, interactive workbook for creativity, self-expression, and deepening your understanding of how color works. Color is one of the most profound ways we have to express ourselves. In this lively workbook for artists, graphic designers, hobbyists, and creators of all types, you will journal your way through fresh and enriching ways to develop a more personal connection to color in your art and life. Using watercolors, gouache, or any other water-based medium, dive into color theory and explore your personal style while playing with a balanced blend of experiments and color meditations. Discover a personal color wheel while exploring tints and shades. Experiment with color mixing while you make as many of one color as you can - and then name them all (honeydew green, avocado green, mint ice cream...). Through playful prompts and inspiring examples, and with lots of room for painting, this book will guide you to a new or expanded relationship with color and deepen your understanding of what color can do for you.
  a field guide to color: The Quilter's Field Guide to Color Rachel Hauser, 2019-12 Forget the dry color theory! This guide is fun, conversational, practical, and beautifully inspiring. The one-of-a-kind resource for modern quilters includes hands-on exercises with a true workbook approach to help evaluate color choices. A 150-color swatch card is included.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Digital Color Maureen Stone, 2016-04-19 Maureen Stone's field guide to digital color presents a survey of digital color with special emphasis on those fields important for computer graphics. The book provides the foundation for understanding color and its applications, discusses color media and color management and the use of color in computer graphics, including color design and selecti
  a field guide to color: Peterson Field Guide Coloring Books: Reptiles and Amphibians Sarah Anne Hughes, Roger Tory Peterson, 2013-02-16 The most comprehensive coloring book on reptiles and amphibians available--a truly fun and educational experience *Includes 188 species and color stickers! From the purplish gray of a Barking Frog to the pink and orange blotches of a Gila Monster, coloring your own field guide is the most enjoyable way to learn about reptiles and amphibians. Each drawing is accompanied by a brief description that educates as it entertains. Place the new color stickers next to the drawings for a visual reference while coloring. Coloring the drawings helps reinforce the color, image, and shape of each reptile or amphibian, improving your memory and perception while offering a pleasant and easy way to learn. Fun for adults as well as children, beginning and experienced naturalists alike.
  a field guide to color: Guide to Wild Flowers of Britain and Europe Dietmar Aichele, Heinz-Werner Schwegler, 2001 Dotting the countryside with brilliant color and shape, wildflowers add beauty to any habitat, from the deepest woods to the edge of the sea. Knowing the names of each one you pass adds to the pleasure, and there's no quicker way to identify blooms than with this easy-to-use guide. First, turn to the colored band on the edge of each page to find flowers of that same shade. Then, go by the number of petals, or select trees and shrubs. Each flower appears in a striking color photo.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Fabric Design Kimberly Kight, 2011-11-16 A comprehensive, step-by-step resource for fabric design and printing—including tips from top designers. If you’ve ever dreamed of showing your designs on fabric, textile aficionado Kim Kight, of popular blog True Up, is here to teach you how. Comprehensive and refreshingly straightforward, this impressive volume features two main parts. First, the Design and Color section explains the basics with step-by-step tutorials on creating repeating patterns both by hand and on the computer. Next, the Printing section guides you through transferring those designs on fabric—whether it's block printing, screen printing, digital printing or licensing to a fabric company—and how to determine the best method for you. Includes extensive photos and illustrations
  a field guide to color: Field Guide to Colorimetry and Fundamental Color Modeling Jennifer D. T. Kruschwitz, 2018 This Field Guide provides a basic understanding of how we measure, identify, communicate, specify, and render color. It addresses color order systems, color spaces, color measurement, color difference, additive and subtractive color, and color modeling--
  a field guide to color: Insects Robert Michael Pyle, 1993 When it comes to form and structure, insects are among the world's most exotic creatures. This book provides a unique way to study them, featuring 220 of the most common and colorful insects found in America, from the harlequin bug to the bumblebee. Four-color wrap shows actual colors.
  a field guide to color: Field Guide: Creatures Great and Small Valerie Davies, 2015-05-07 This is the first book in a series of illustrated guides to popular subjects such as natural history and fashion, beautifully presented as a book of high-quality decorative black-and-white prints. A Colouring Guide to Creatures Great and Small features animals from all corners of the globe – from exotic fish to big cats to incredible insects – with information on each species included on the reverse of each print. Pull out each of the 36 prints and colour them in as you wish, either by following the colouring tips on the back or by letting your imagination run wild, then hang them up on your wall or give them away as presents. With gorgeous, detailed artwork and an eyecatching 100% silver foil cover, this is a colouring book that will stand out from the crowd.
  a field guide to color: Peterson Field Guide to Mushrooms of North America, Second Edition Karl B. McKnight, Joseph R. Rohrer, Kirsten McKnight Ward, Kent H. McKnight, 2021-01-05 A new approach to identifying mushrooms based on five key features that can be observed while in the field. Toadstools, truffles, boletes and morels, witches' butter, conks, corals, puffballs and earthstars: mushrooms are both mysterious and ecologically essential. They can also be either delicious or deadly. Thousands of different species of mushrooms appear across North America in the woods, backyards, and in unexpected corners. Learning to distinguish them is a rewarding challenge for a naturalist or chef. Covering most of the common edible and poisonous species readers are likely to encounter, this portable-sized field guide takes a new, simple approach to the method of mushroom identification based on key features that do not require a microscope or technical vocabulary. In addition to the watercolors from the original edition, hundreds more illustrations have been added. These paintings make use of the limited space available in a field guide and focus on the distinguishing details of each species, thereby serving as an ideal tool for beginner and intermediate mycologists alike.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Getting Lost Rebecca Solnit, 2006-06-27 “An intriguing amalgam of personal memoir, philosophical speculation, natural lore, cultural history, and art criticism.” —Los Angeles Times From the award-winning author of Orwell's Roses, a stimulating exploration of wandering, being lost, and the uses of the unknown Written as a series of autobiographical essays, A Field Guide to Getting Lost draws on emblematic moments and relationships in Rebecca Solnit's life to explore issues of uncertainty, trust, loss, memory, desire, and place. Solnit is interested in the stories we use to navigate our way through the world, and the places we traverse, from wilderness to cities, in finding ourselves, or losing ourselves. While deeply personal, her own stories link up to larger stories, from captivity narratives of early Americans to the use of the color blue in Renaissance painting, not to mention encounters with tortoises, monks, punk rockers, mountains, deserts, and the movie Vertigo. The result is a distinctive, stimulating voyage of discovery.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Antietam Carol Reardon, Tom Vossler, 2016-09-07 The Battle of Antietam took place on September 17, 1862, and still stands as the bloodiest single day in American military history. Additionally, in its aftermath, President Abraham Lincoln issued his famous Emancipation Proclamation. In this engaging, easy-to-use guide, Carol Reardon and Tom Vossler allow visitors to understand this crucial Civil War battle in fine detail. Abundantly illustrated with maps and historical and modern photographs, A Field Guide to Antietam explores twenty-one sites on and near the battlefield where significant action occurred. Combining crisp narrative and rich historical context, each stop in the book is structured around the following questions: What happened here? Who fought here? Who commanded here? Who fell here? Who lived here? How did participants remember the events? With accessible presentation and fresh interpretations of primary and secondary evidence, this is an absolutely essential guide to Antietam and its lasting legacy.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Sprawl Dolores Hayden, 2004 A visual lexicon of the colorful slang, from alligator investment to zoomburb, that defines sprawl in America. May well establish Ms. Hayden as the Roger Tory Peterson of Sprawl. --New York Times
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Gettysburg Carol Reardon, Tom Vossler, 2013-07-01 In this lively guide to the Gettysburg battlefield, Carol Reardon and Tom Vossler invite readers to participate in a tour of this hallowed ground. Ideal for carrying on trips through the park as well as for the armchair historian, this book includes comprehensive maps and deft descriptions of the action that situate visitors in time and place. Crisp narratives introduce key figures and events, and eye-opening vignettes help readers more fully comprehend the import of what happened and why. A wide variety of contemporary and postwar source materials offer colorful stories and present interesting interpretations that have shaped--or reshaped--our understanding of Gettysburg today. Each stop addresses the following: What happened here? Who fought here? Who commanded here? Who fell here? Who lived here? How did participants remember this event?
  a field guide to color: The Field Guide to the North American Teenager Ben Philippe, 2019-01-08 William C. Morris YA Debut Award Winner! A hilarious YA contemporary realistic novel about a witty Black French Canadian teen who moves to Austin, Texas, and experiences the joys, clichés, and awkward humiliations of the American high school experience—including falling in love. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon, When Dimple Met Rishi, and John Green. Norris Kaplan is clever, cynical, and quite possibly too smart for his own good. A Black French Canadian, he knows from watching American sitcoms that those three things don’t bode well when you are moving to Austin, Texas. Plunked into a new high school and sweating a ridiculous amount from the oppressive Texas heat, Norris finds himself cataloging everyone he meets: the Cheerleaders, the Jocks, the Loners, and even the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Making a ton of friends has never been a priority for him, and this way he can at least amuse himself until it’s time to go back to Canada, where he belongs. Yet against all odds, those labels soon become actual people to Norris…like loner Liam, who makes it his mission to befriend Norris, or Madison the beta cheerleader, who is so nice that it has to be a trap. Not to mention Aarti the Manic Pixie Dream Girl, who might, in fact, be a real love interest in the making. But the night of the prom, Norris screws everything up royally. As he tries to pick up the pieces, he realizes it might be time to stop hiding behind his snarky opinions and start living his life—along with the people who have found their way into his heart.
  a field guide to color: The Colour Photography Field Guide Michael Freeman, 2013-08-19 Understand the role colour plays in your images, learn to appreciate its dynamic effects and find out how to capture and reproduce it as precisely as possible in your own images. The Colour Photography Field Guide provides a unique look at analysing and combining three important ways of dealing with colour. The first is the subjective and cultural response to individual colour: the perception. The second is how colours are found and appear in photography: the science. The third is the means by which they can be viewed and altered digitally: the expression. - A clear and technically precise look at how colour affects your digital images - Portable and lightweight, for on-the-spot information and inspiration - With a host of case studies examining difficult colour situations such as capturing flesh tones and unreal colours
  a field guide to color: Habitat Lauren Liess, 2015-10-13 “Stunningly simple, this field guide is a survival book for any budding decorator,” by “famed DC-based interior designer and blogger of Pure Style Home.” (USA Today) Lauren Liess, an interior designer and founder of the popular blog Pure Style Home, fuses her love of design and the great outdoors into all her work. In Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating, Lauren invites readers to bring nature inside by mixing the textures of natural elements such as wood and stone with eclectic groupings of modern and quirky vintage pieces. Readers will be inspired by the unique style of these rooms, which include lovely framed botanical prints and Liess’s own textile patterns inspired by wildflowers and weeds. Divided into three sections, Habitat shows readers the fundamental elements of design, such as color, lighting, and furniture; addresses the intangibles of designing a space, such as aesthetics and creating a mood; and tackles unique room-specific challenges in every part of the house. “Designer Lauren Liess shares her favorite, not-always-conventional ideas for livening up any space with art.” ―Country Living “Habitat looks at incorporating natural textures such as wood into your decorating scheme, along with florals, nature inspired textiles and vintage décor.” ―Real Style Network “Rich with thoughtful advice on how to create livable, comfortable rooms that bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.” ―Garden & Gun
  a field guide to color: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Elements and Principles of Art + Design Joshua Field, 2018 Discover the hidden language of images using this full-color guide to the Elements and Principles of Art and Design with over 200 individual illustrations and 30 artwork examples. This comprehensive illustrated exploration of how images are composed is organized for easy reference and explores each element and principle in depth. Unlike big textbooks, this field guide-sized edition can easily slip into a bag or pocket for your next trip to the museum, design meeting, or classroom critique.
  a field guide to color: Peterson Field Guide Coloring Books: Mammals Peter Alden, Fiona Reid, 2013-02-16 The most comprehensive mammal coloring book available--a truly fun and educational experience. *Includes more than 170 species! From the spotted pattern of an ocelot to the reddish yellow of a red fox, coloring your own field guide is the most enjoyable way to learn about mammals. Each drawing is accompanied by a brief description that educates as it entertains. Place the new color stickers next to the drawings for a visual reference while coloring. Coloring the drawings helps reinforce the color, image, and shape of each mammal, improving your memory and perception while offering a pleasant and easy way to learn. Fun for adults as well as children, beginning and experienced naturalists alike.
  a field guide to color: The Burgess Bird Book for Children Thornton Waldo Burgess, 1919
  a field guide to color: Color Christine Barnes, 1997 Discusses language of color, color combinations, special effects, fabric, color stories, quilt stories, avoiding the pitfalls, quilters on color, a color gallery, a color workshop, color studies, notes about the author.
  a field guide to color: Wildflowers and Weeds Booth Courtenay, James Hall Zimmerman, 1971
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Fairies Susannah Marriott, 2009 This enchanting picture book presents a series of lush full-color spreads, and each bewitching illustration is captioned with a description of a fairy's origins, legends in which the fairy appears, and its relationship to nature. Among these hauntingly beautiful images are three impressive double-page pop-up scenes.
  a field guide to color: Green: A Field Guide to Marijuana Dan Michaels, 2015-05-19 Green: A Field Guide to Marijuana is required reading for a new generation of curious and sophisticated pot smokers. Presented in an eye-popping package and filled with hyperdetailed photography of individual buds, this essential guide to marijuana is smart, practical, and exceedingly beautiful. The Primer section explores the culture of this complex flower and explains the botany that makes each strain unique. The Buds section describes the variations of lineage, flavor, and mental or physical high that define 170 exceptional strains. Poised to become the go-to marijuana guide for recreational and medicinal users alike, Green is easy to pick up and impossible to put down.
  a field guide to color: Color Atlas of Hematology Eric F. Glassy, 1998
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide in Colour to Beetles Karl Wilhelm Harde, P. M. Hammond, 1984
  a field guide to color: Michigan Wildlife Amalia Fernand, 2017-12-14 Have you ever wondered where frogs go in the winter or how to identify a bird? Do you enjoy taking walks in the woods and want to learn more about the wildlife in your backyard? Kids and adults, this book is for you! Unique coloring pages feature Michigan wildlife with information that is formatted like a guide book. Find out about animal tracks and scat, life cycles, diet, and habitat. Increase your nature knowledge with fun facts, an extensive dictionary, art, science, games, and more. Calling all Michigan Nature Explorers, this is your go-to guide for discovering more about your favorite animals!
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Digital Color Maureen C. Stone, 2003 Annotation This users guide summarizes several color fields, with chapters on color vision, color appearance, RGB and brightness, color in nature, color reproduction, color image capture, additive systems, subtractive systems, management systems, computer graphics, color selection and design, and information displays. The tools, technologies, and strategies related to the creation and management of digital color are all covered. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to the Familiar Gale Lawrence, 1998 A book for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the natural world.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Western Birds Roger Tory Peterson, Virginia Marie Peterson, 1990 The Birder’s Bible for more than 60 years, Roger Tory Peterson’s classic Field Guide to Western Birds includes all species found in North America west of the 100th meridian and north of Mexico. Featuring the unique Peterson Identification System, Western Birds contains 165 full-color paintings that show more than 1,000 birds from 700 species. Summer and winter ranges, breeding grounds, and other special range data are shown on easy-to-read range maps.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to California and Pacific Northwest Forests John C. Kricher, 1998 This comprehensive field guide includes all the flora and fauna you're most likely to see in the forests of California and the Pacific Northwest. With 53 color plates and 80 color photos illustrating trees, birds, mammals, wildflowers, mushrooms, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, moths, and other insects.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain and Southwest Forests John C. Kricher, 1998 This comprehensive field guide includes all the flora and fauna you're most likely to see in the forest communities of the Rocky Mountains and the Southwest. It includes 53 color plates and more than 80 color photos illustrating trees, birds, mammals, wildflowers, mushrooms, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies, beetles, and other insects.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to the Birds , 1999 Contains descriptions and illustrations of over four hundred species of birds found in eastern and central North America, and includes range maps, a life list, and an index of scientific and common names.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Pacific States Wildflowers Theodore F. Niehaus, 1998-01-15 Describes 1,492 wildflowers found from British Columbia to Baja California, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, including names, family, habitat, and flowering season, with illustrations.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Eastern Forests, North America John C. Kricher, 1998 Provides an introduction to patterns of forest ecology, looks at each of the major forest types of eastern North America, examines changes that occur as abandoned fields turn into forests, features background on the process of adaptation and natural selection, and describes forest changes in each of the four seasons.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Mammals of North America, North of Mexico Fiona Reid, 2006 This fourth edition has been completely rewritten, with all-new range maps and illustrations for all species.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Western Butterflies Paul A. Opler, 1998 This all-new edition includes information on more than 590 species, illustrated in lifelike positions in 44 beautiful color plates. 110 color photos. Line drawings & maps.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada David L. Pearson, C. Barry Knisley, Daniel Paul Duran, Charles J. Kazilek, 2015 More than 2600 species of tiger beetles are found all over the world. In North America there are 116 species of tiger beetle, divided into 153 geographically distinct races. Detailed studies of their natural history, population dynamics, communities, patterns of worldwide species richness, and taxonomy of particular subgroups have produced much information. Tiger beetles are among the most widely investigated groups of insects, especially in terms of their ecology and geographic distribution. The first edition of A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada, published in 2005, has served as a field and natural-history guide to all known species of tiger beetles found in North America above the Mexican border. The 2nd edition is a pleasant and comprehensible handbook of the identification, distribution, natural history, and habitat details of the 116 species of tiger beetles in North America. The updated handbook provides new information including observations of seasonality, range extensions and biology, a newly developed list of common names, and twenty-five artistically pleasing identification color plates. The second edition of A Field Guide to the Tiger Beetles of the United States and Canada provides essential information to recognize and easily identify tiger beetles for established naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies Paul A. Opler, 1998 This newly designed field guide features descriptions of 524 species of butterflies. One hundred color photographs as well as 348 color range maps accompany the species descriptions. The 541 exquisite color paintings clearly show even the most minute field marks. Introductory chapters include information on butterfly gardening, habitats, and conservation.
  a field guide to color: A Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians Roger Conant, Joseph T. Collins, 1998 Descriptions and illustrations of reptiles and amphibians.