For Value-Harmony we must diminish the range of values toward one value. In the above diagram I have shown a diminution of the range of values toward High Light: this in several degrees.
Diagram 7
Following the indications of this diagram, we pull the colors together toward Light in one case (B), toward Middle in another (A), toward Dark in a third (C). As we do this we increase the Value-Harmony. In reproducing the tones in a diminished range of values, raising the colors in value or lowering them, we are not obliged to change the colors except in cases where they become, possibly, confounded with Black or with White. It will often happen, however, that the intensity of a color has to be diminished when the value is changed. For example, if Red Orange, in the illustration given, is in its greatest intensity, the color may remain unchanged in System “A,” but its intensity will be, necessarily, diminished in System “B,” or System “C.” [See Diagram of the Triangles].
For the sake of Value-Harmony we diminish the range of values, making as little changes of color as possible, and only those changes of color-intensity which are inevitable. A complete and perfect Value-Harmony is, as a rule, undesirable because it means that all the colors are reduced to one value which gives a monotony of value. Approximate Harmony of Values is generally sufficient. The range of values is narrowed, the contrasts are diminished, and an even tonality is secured. That is all we require, in most cases, an approximation to one value.
165. Suppose it is Color-Harmony which we want to achieve: what procedure shall we follow?
- Wt
- B
- V
- Y
- R
- G
- O
- Blk
Here are certain tones, certain colors in certain values. What shall we do with these tones to get Color-Harmony? We must diminish the range of color-contrasts by giving predominance to one color, either to one of the colors to be harmonized or to some other. That may be done by mixing one color into all our tones.
| Wt | Wt | |
| B | V | |
| V | VR | |
| Y | Giving predominance to Red, we get: | O |
| R | R | |
| G | N | |
| O | RO | |
| Blk | Blk | |
| Diagram 8 | ||
The range of color-contrast is in this way diminished to the intervals between Violet, Orange, and Neutral. The process, so far as color is concerned, disregarding value-relations, is fully explained in the following diagram:—