138. It is important to distinguish between degrees of intensity and degrees of neutralization. The degrees of color-intensity and of color-neutralization, in any value, are described by fractions. The formula D-R¾ means, value Dark, color Red, intensity three quarters. The formula D-R, ¾N means, value Dark, color Red, three quarters neutralized. The formula M-O½ means, value Middle, color Orange, intensity one half. The formula M-O, ½N means, value Middle, color Orange, half neutralized. M-O, ½N is a tone somewhat less intense in color than M-O½, as may be seen on the diagram. The degree of neutralization has reference, in all cases, to the maximum intensity for the given value. What that is, theoretically, may be seen by referring to the triangle of the color, in which the possibilities of intensity, in different values, are clearly indicated.
THE DEFINITION OF
PARTICULAR TONES
139. To define any tone, in this classification, we must name its value, its color, and the degree of color-intensity or neutralization.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF TONES
NECESSARILY THEORETICAL
140. The general classification of tones in which is shown all the possibilities of value, color, color-intensity, and color-neutralization, in reflecting pigments, is necessarily theoretical, or rather ideal, because the degrees of intensity obtainable in any value depend upon the pigment-materials we have to use, or choose to use. No very great intensity of Yellow, even in the value of High Light, can be obtained if we choose to use a mixture of Yellow Ochre with Ultramarine Blue and White to produce it. It is only when we use the most brilliant pigments—the Madders, Vermilion, the Cadmiums, Aureolin, and Cobalt Blue—that we can approximate toward the highest intensities, as indicated in our diagram and exhibited [in the Spectrum].
THE DEFINITION OF PARTICULAR
TONE-RELATIONS
141. The number of tone-contrasts—contrasts of value, of color, and of color-intensity or neutralization—is, evidently, beyond calculation.
The method of describing any particular contrast or contrasts is easy to understand. We have only to define the tones and to indicate how they cross one another.
| RO, ½N |
| VR |
This formula means that a spot of Violet-Red (Dark, full intensity) is put on a ground-tone of Middle Red-Orange, half neutralized.