Sequences of Values and Colors
142. When, in view of all possible tones, as indicated in the general classification of tones, according to value, color, and color-intensity, or color-neutralization (Diagram of the Triangles), we try to think what tones we shall use, what contrasts of tone we shall produce, we are sure to be very much “at sea,” because of the great number and variety of possibilities. Even when we disregard differences of intensity and consider simply the possibilities of value and of color, as shown in the general classification of tones according to value and color (Diagram of Values and Colors, p. 137), we have still too many possibilities to consider, and our choice of tones is determined by accident or habit rather than by clear vision or deliberate preference. We shall find it worth while to limit our range in each experiment to some particular sequence of values and colors, or to some particular combination of sequences. Instead of trying to think in the range of all values, all colors, we ought to limit our thinking, in each case, to the range of a few values and a few colors,—a few definite tones with which we can become perfectly familiar and of which we can have definite visual images. It is only when we can imagine tones vividly that we can think satisfactorily in tone-relations. We shall achieve this power of thinking in tones and tone-relations best through self-imposed limitations.
143. We ought to begin our study of Tones and Tone-Relations with the Scale of Neutral Values (see p. 135). We ought to work with the nine tones of this scale or sequence until we know them well, until we can visualize them clearly, and until we can produce them accurately; until we can readily produce any single tone of the scale and any of the thirty-six possible contrasts which the scale affords.
Besides the Scale of Neutral Values there are three types of Value and Color Sequence which we may use.
144. First. We have the sequences which may be described as those of the Vertical; sequences which may be indicated by vertical lines drawn across the Diagram of Values and Colors. In each of these sequences, twelve in number, we have one color in all the values of the Scale of Values, except Black and White. These sequences of the Vertical, as I shall call them, are of very little use in Pure Design. They give us value-contrasts and contrasts of color-intensity (intensities of one color), but no color-contrasts, no differences of color. The tones in these sequences are monotonous in color.
145. Second. We have the sequences which may be described as those of the Horizontal; sequences which may be indicated by horizontal lines drawn across the Diagram of Values and Colors. In these sequences we have differences of color and color-intensity, but all in one value. These sequences give us color-contrasts (different colors in different degrees of intensity), but no value-contrasts. The tones in these sequences are monotonous in value. The sequences of one horizontal are of very little use.
146. Third. We have the sequences which may be described as those of the Diagonal; sequences which may be indicated by lines drawn diagonally across the Diagram of Values and Colors. In drawing these sequences the reader must not forget that the Scale of Colors is a circuit, so when he reaches the end of the diagram he returns and continues from the other end. The diagram might, for convenience in drawing these sequences, be extended to several repetitions of the Scale of Colors. In the sequences of the Diagonal we have contrasts both of value and of color. The color in these sequences changes from value to value through the Scale of Values. Each sequence gives us certain colors in certain values, and in no case have we two colors in the same value. To these sequences of the Diagonal we must give our particular attention. They are the sequences which we shall use constantly, in Representation as well as in the practice of Pure Design.
147. The sequences of the Diagonal fall into two divisions. First, there are the sequences which we draw through the Diagram of Values and Colors from Black up-to-the-right to White. I shall call these the Sequences of the Right Mode (Sign ⍁). Second, there are the sequences which we draw from Black up-to-the-left to White. I shall call these the Sequences of the Left Mode (Sign ⍂).
Taking the lowest color in the sequence as the keynote, we have for the Right Mode, in the Scale of Twelve Colors, twelve distinct sequences of which this which follows is an example.
| Seq. LD-BV, ⍁ 2ds | ||
| Wt | ||
| HLt | - | OY |
| Lt | - | O |
| LLt | - | RO |
| M | - | R |
| HD | - | VR |
| D | - | V |
| LD | - | BV |
| Blk | ||
In this sequence the colors are taken at the interval of the second. That is what is meant by the abbreviation 2ds.
Taking the lowest color of the sequence as its keynote, as before, we have for the Left Mode twelve distinct sequences, of which that which follows is an example.
| Seq. LD-OY, ⍂ 2ds | ||
| Wt | ||
| HLt | - | BV |
| Lt | - | V |
| LLt | - | VR |
| M | - | R |
| HD | - | RO |
| D | - | O |
| LD | - | OY |
| Blk | ||
In this sequence, as in the one previously given, the colors are taken at the interval of the second.
148. The colors in these diagonal sequences may be taken not only at intervals of the second, but at intervals of the third, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth, and the seventh. Taking the colors at these different intervals we have, for each interval, twenty-four distinct sequences; twelve for the Right Mode, twelve for the Left Mode; in all one hundred and forty-four different sequences.
149. Among the sequences of the Diagonal those in which the colors are taken at the interval of the fifth are particularly interesting. The colors taken at the interval of the fifth fall into four triads,—the first, R-Y-B, the second, RO-YG-BV, the third, O-G-V, the fourth, OY-GB-VR. Taking the colors in any of these triads in the two modes, the Right and the Left, we get six sequences of different colors in different values for each triad. Of these Triad-Sequences I will give one as an example.
| Seq. LD-R, ⍂ 5ths | ||
| Wt | ||
| HLt | - | R |
| Lt | - | Y |
| LLt | - | B |
| M | - | R |
| HD | - | Y |
| D | - | B |
| LD | - | R |
| Blk | ||
The Triad-Scales, whether in the Right Mode or in the Left Mode, are of great interest both in Pure Design and in Representation. In Representation, however, the number of tones between the limits of Black and White would, as a rule, be increased, as in the extended diagram given farther on.
150. Instead of taking the colors at a certain interval in one mode or the other, it is possible to take the colors in a certain relation of intervals repeated; this in either mode. The relation of a third to a fifth, for instance, being repeated, in one mode or the other, gives us some very interesting sequences. The one which follows is an example.
| LD-V, ⍁ 5th-3d | |||
| Wt | |||
| HLt | - | Y | |
| 3d | |||
| Lt | - | O | |
| 5th | |||
| LLt | - | V | |
| 3d | |||
| M | - | B | |
| 5th | |||
| HD | - | Y | |
| 3d | |||
| D | - | O | |
| 5th | |||
| LD | - | V | |
| Blk | |||
The relation of a seventh followed by two fifths, when repeated, in either mode, gives a large number of sequences of very great interest, particularly for Representation.
151. Any two of the sequences which I have described as those of the Vertical, or more than two, may be combined and used together. In that case we have two or more colors to a value. The monotony which is inevitable in any single vertical sequence is avoided in the combination of two or more such sequences.
| Seq. R and Seq. Y | ||
| Wt | ||
| R | HLt | Y |
| R | Lt | Y |
| R | LLt | Y |
| R | M | Y |
| R | HD | Y |
| R | D | Y |
| R | LD | Y |
| Blk | ||
This is an example of the combination of two vertical sequences—the sequence of Red and the sequence of Yellow. I have not found the sequences of this type very interesting. In using them in Representation I have found it desirable to have the intensities increase gradually toward white, or, what amounts to the same thing, to have each color neutralized as it loses light. That happens, constantly, in Nature.
152. Any two of the sequences which I have described as of the Horizontal, or even more than two, may be combined and used together.
| Seq. Lt and D, 3ds | ||||||
| Lt | R | O | Y | G | B | V |
| D | R | O | Y | G | B | V |
This scale gives us a variety of color-contrasts with one value-contrast. The colors are taken at the interval of the third. They might be taken at any interval up to that of the seventh, in which case we should have a contrast of complementary colors in two values, each color occurring in each value. The monotony of value which is inevitable in any single horizontal sequence is in the combination of two or more such sequences avoided. I have used the Red-Yellow-Blue triad in three and in five values with satisfaction. Each value represents a plane of light in which certain differences of color are observed.
153. Any two of the sequences which I have described as of the Diagonal may be combined, in two ways. First, two sequences of the same mode may be combined. Second, two sequences of different modes, one of the Right Mode and one of the Left Mode, may be combined.
| LD-GB ⍂ 3ds with LD-RO ⍂ 3ds | ||
| Wt | ||
| GB | HLt | RO |
| BV | Lt | OY |
| VR | LLt | YG |
| RO | M | GB |
| OY | HD | BV |
| YG | D | VR |
| GB | LD | RO |
| Blk | ||
In this case we have a combination of two diagonal sequences of the Left Mode in which the colors are taken at the interval of the third. Changing the mode of these two sequences we get them inverted, thus:—
| LD-GB ⍂ LD-RO ⍂ 3ds | ||
| Wt | ||
| GB | HLt | RO |
| YG | Lt | VR |
| OY | LLt | BV |
| RO | M | GB |
| VR | HD | YG |
| BV | D | OY |
| GB | LD | RO |
| Blk | ||
Here the mode is changed and the combined sequences inverted. The combined sequences may be both in the same mode or in different modes. When the modes are different the sequences come into contact, and in some cases cross one another.
| LD-V ⍁ 2ds with LD-V ⍂ 2ds | ||
| Wt | ||
| Y | ||
| OY | YG | |
| O | G | |
| RO | GB | |
| R | B | |
| VR | BV | |
| V | ||
| Blk | ||
In this case we have a combination of two diagonal sequences. One of the sequences is in the Right, the other is in the Left Mode. The colors are in the values of their greatest intensities.
| Seq. LD-GB ⍁ 3ds with LD-GB ⍂ 3ds | ||
| Wt | ||
| GB | ||
| YG | BV | |
| OY | VR | |
| RO | ||
| VR | OY | |
| BV | YG | |
| GB | ||
| Blk | ||
In this case the combined sequences cross one another in the tone of M-RO. The combined sequences have three tones in common. It may happen that the sequences combined will have no tones in common. This is shown in the sequence which follows:—
| LD-O ⍂ 5ths with LD-B ⍁ 5ths | ||
| Wt | ||
| O | HLt | B |
| G | Lt | Y |
| V | LLt | R |
| O | M | B |
| G | HD | Y |
| V | D | R |
| O | LD | B |
| Blk | ||
154. Instead of having two colors to a value in the combination of two vertical sequences, we may have an alternation of colors in the values, giving one color to a value, thus:—
| Wt | ||
| R | HLt | |
| Lt | Y | |
| R | LLt | |
| M | Y | |
| R | HD | |
| D | Y | |
| R | LD | |
| Blk | ||
It has seemed to me that the sequences in which we have one color to a value give better results than those in which we have two or more colors to a value.
155. Instead of having each color in two values in the combination of two horizontal sequences, we may have the colors, taken at equal intervals, occurring alternately first in one value and then in the other.
| Lt | R | . | Y | . | B | . |
| D | . | O | . | G | . | V |
156. These alternating sequences may proceed, not only vertically and horizontally, but diagonally across the diagram. In that case the alternations will be between different value-intervals in a series of equal color-intervals or between different color-intervals in a series of equal value-intervals.
| Wt | ||||||||||
| HLt | VR | |||||||||
| Lt | BV | |||||||||
| LLt | GB | V | ||||||||
| M | YG | B | ||||||||
| HD | OY | G | ||||||||
| D | Y | |||||||||
| LD | O | |||||||||
| Blk | ||||||||||
In this case the alternation is between different value-intervals through the Scale of Colors. The movement being, as a whole, up-to-the-right, is in the Right Mode. I have not used any of the sequences, of this type, in which the value-intervals alternate, first in one mode then in the other, with a constant color-interval, but I have used, frequently, the alternation of two different color-intervals in a series of equal value-intervals. The sequences produced in this way are among the most interesting of all the many I have used. I will give several examples.
| Wt | ||
| HLt | Y | |
| 7th | ||
| Lt | V | |
| 5th | ||
| LLt | O | |
| 7th | ||
| M | B | |
| 5th | ||
| HD | R | |
| 7th | ||
| D | G | |
| 5th | ||
| LD | V | |
| Blk | ||
In this case the alternation is from the keynote, Low Dark Violet, up first in the Left Mode a fifth, then up in the Right Mode a seventh, then in the Left Mode a fifth, and so on up to White. This particular alternation might be described as the relation of a fifth and a seventh repeated, in the Left Mode.
| Wt | ||
| HLt | Y | |
| 7th | ||
| Lt | V | |
| 5th | ||
| LLt | G | |
| 7th | ||
| M | R | |
| 5th | ||
| HD | B | |
| 7th | ||
| D | O | |
| 5th | ||
| LD | V | |
| Blk | ||
In the sequence just given the alternation is, from the keynote Low Dark Violet, first in the Right Mode a fifth, then in the Left Mode a seventh: this through the Scale of Values up to White. The order of the previous sequence is inverted. This particular alternation might be described as the relation of a fifth and seventh repeated in the Right Mode.
The alternation of intervals of the fifth with intervals of the third gives some interesting sequences, in which the alternation of intervals is, necessarily, an alternation of modes.
| Wt | ||
| HLt | Y | |
| 3d | ||
| Lt | G | |
| 5th | ||
| LLt | O | |
| 3d | ||
| M | Y | |
| 5th | ||
| HD | R | |
| 3d | ||
| D | O | |
| 5th | ||
| LD | V | |
| Blk | ||
157. I have by no means exhausted the possibilities of value and color combination, but I have indicated a sufficient number to serve the purposes of experimental practice in tone-relations, for a long time to come. The sequences which I have found most interesting, in my own experiments, have been the diagonal sequences of the two modes, using intervals of the fifth, and the diagonal sequences in which with equal value-intervals there is an alternation of certain color-intervals,—the seventh and the fifth, and the seventh and two fifths. It may very well be that these particular sequences interest me because I have used them more than others and consequently think in them more easily.
158. For the purposes of Pure Design the Scale of Nine Values, including Black and White, will be found sufficient; but when it comes to the combination of Design with Representation, and particularly to Representation in Full Relief, it will be necessary to introduce intermediates into the Scale of Values. With this purpose in view I give one more diagram in which intermediates of value have been introduced. For convenience in drawing out the different sequences upon this diagram I have repeated the Scale of Colors showing the connection of Violet-Red with Red. This diagram (5) is simply an extension of the Diagram of Values and Colors given on p. 137.
159. We may use the various sequences I have described without mixing the tones, using the tones one at a time as they may be required; but if we choose we may mix adjacents or thirds or even threes. In that way the tone-possibilities of each sequence may be very much extended. It may be well to show what the extension amounts to by giving one of the sequences with an indication of the result of mixtures within the limits described.
| Seq. LD-R ⍂ 5ths | |
| Wt | |
| HLt | R |
| Lt | Y |
| LLt | B |
| M | R |
| HD | Y |
| D | B |
| LD | R |
| Blk | |
This is the sequence in which we decide to mix adjacents, thirds, and threes.