What is the Difference Between Hue and Tone 

Hue and tone are too important terms in color theory. However, most people use these two terms interchangeably. But a hue is not the same as a tone. It’s important to know the difference between them.

What is the difference between hue and tone? Hue is the pure color itself, without any additions like white, black, or gray, while tone is created by adding gray to a pure color.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Hue
     – Definition, Features
2. What is a Tone
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Hue and Tone 
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Hue and Tone 
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Hue and Tone
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Color, Hue, Tone

What is a Hue

Hue is the pure color you see on a color wheel. When we talk about hue, we refer to either the pure color itself or the dominant pure color you notice in a mix. Hues don’t have any white, black, gray, or other colors added to them—they’re pure.

To understand this concept further, look at the image below. It has many colors. But the hue of these colors is blue. We can describe it as the pure color or dominant color.

The color wheel shows these hues as primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and secondary colors (green, orange, and purple). Primary colors are like the basic building blocks of all colors, while secondary colors are made by mixing two primary colors. 

What is a Tone

A tone is made by mixing a pure color with gray, which is a mix of black and white. This makes the color look softer and less bright. Sometimes, other colors are added, too, which gives the tone a bit more depth.

Think of colors like “beige” or “salmon.” These are tones because they’re gentler, less intense versions of pure colors. Skin tones are also tones—when an artist paints a face, they mix colors with gray to create all the different shades you see in the skin. Tones help make colors look more natural and create a lot of variety in art.

Similarities Between Hue and Tone

1. Hue and tone are both ways to describe the colors we see in art and design.
2. Artists use both hues and tones to add variety, depth, and expression to their artwork.
3. Both hues and tones can be mixed with other colors to create even more shades and effects.

Difference Between Hue and Tone 

Definition

• Hue is a pure color, straight from the color wheel, with no other colors, black, white, or gray added. Tone, on the other hand, is a color made by adding gray to a pure hue.

Appearance

• Hues are bright and intense as they are the basic colors you see in their natural form. But tones are softer and more muted than the original hue.

Examples

• Red, blue, yellow, green, purple, and orange in their purest forms are examples of hues while beige, salmon, or various skin tones are examples of tones.

FAQ: Hue and Tone

1. Is black a tone or a hue?

Black is not a tone or a hue because it doesn’t come from the color wheel. Hues are pure colors, and tones are those hues mixed with gray. Black is a neutral color.

2. What is the difference between hue and color?

Hue refers to the pure color itself, like red, blue, or yellow, without any changes. Color is a broader term that includes hues and any adjustments made to them, like adding black, white, or gray to change their shade or tone.

3. Is white a tone or a color?

White is a color, not a tone. It’s considered a neutral color and can be added to hues to lighten them. But it doesn’t have a hue or pure color of its own.

4. Is grey a color or a tone?

Gray is considered a neutral color but can also be used to create a tone. When gray is added to a pure hue, it creates a tone by softening the original color.

Reference:

1. “Colour, Hue, Tone, Shade, Tint. What’s the Difference?” Blue Beach House Art.

Image Courtesy: 

1. “Color icon azure” by ThunderBrine (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia