What Is Tone? - Tone - GCSE Art And Design Revision - BBC Bitesize

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In this guide

  1. Revise
  2. Video
  1. What is tone?
  2. Illusion of form
  3. Creating atmosphere
  4. Creating depth and distance
  5. Creating contrast and focus
  6. Monotone and duotone

What is tone?

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In art and design, tone refers to how light or dark something is. Tones could refer to black, white and the grey tones between. It could refer to how light or dark a colour appears.

In real life tone is created by the way light falls on an object.

Abstract shot of a metal ball bearing on a white background

The parts of the object on which the light is strongest are called highlights and the darker areas are called shadows.

Tone can be used for a range of effects:

  • to create the illusion of form
  • to create a particular atmosphere
  • to create contrast and focus attention
  • to suggest depth and distance

Question

What is meant by tone?

Show answer

Tone refers to how dark or light something is in an artwork.

Next pageIllusion of form

More guides on this topic

  • Line - AQA
  • Colour - AQA
  • Shape - AQA
  • Form - AQA
  • Space - AQA
  • Texture - AQA
  • Pattern - AQA

Related links

  • Personalise your Bitesize!
  • Jobs that use Art and Design
  • BBC Arts
  • BBC Culture: Art
  • Art UK
  • TES: Art and Design resources
  • Design Council
  • NSEAD

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