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:—
[Illustration: Diagram 9]
Suppose, instead of giving predominance to Red, as in the example
above, we give predominance to Blue, taking the same range of colors.
Wt Wt
B B
V BV
Y Giving predominance to Blue we get: G
R V
G GB
O N
Blk Blk