10 Step Chromatic Value & Gradation Chart
Each tone represents a chromatic value, or colour tone. When comparing colours to the tonal chart, dark red will have a tone corresponding to a dark grey, while pale beige is equivalent to a light grey. Choosing colours that have the same chromatic value (staying within one or two ‘grey’ tones on the tonal chart) will work harmoniously together, creating a consistent colour value throughout an environment, even if you choose different colours to work with. Let’s return to the sandy beach where you may find a variety of different colours when examining the stones, pebbles and sand independently, but from a distance, all the tones have approximately the same colour value (or tone). This harmonious colour approach works well in residential environments, allowing a variety of colours to act independently, but, viewed as a whole, impress a consistent and harmonious approach to our understanding of colour, space and personal identity.