TINTS AND SHADESAND ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE
www.wetcanvas.com
A TINT IS CREATED WHEN WHITE IS ADDED INTO A COLOR.
A SHADE IS CREATED WHEN BLACK IS ADDED INTO A COLOR.
LOOK AT THE COLOR WHEEL TO SEE EXAMPLES OF TINTS AND SHADES.
TINTS AND SHADES CAN EVEN BE FOUND IN NATURE. LOOK AT THE
PHOTO OF THIS LANDSCAPE. NOTICE HOW AS OBJECTS (THE HILLS IN THIS
CASE) GO BACK INTO SPACE, THEY LOOK LIGHTER AND LIGHTER, LIKE
TINTS. NOTICE HOW THE HILL IN THE FOREGROUND LOOKS DARKER, LIKE
A SHADE.
www.wikipedia.com
courses.byui.edu www.wetcanvas.com
This phenomenon is called atmospheric perspective—the effect the atmosphere has on
objects as they are viewed from a distance.
HOW TO DO THIS PROJECT:
1. Begin with the background and work your way to the foreground.
o For the first tint, start with white, then add just a smidge of your colour
until you get the tint you want (you can always add more colour but it
is very difficult to take it away).
2. When you get halfway down the page, switch to shades.
o Start with the colour, then add just a small amount of black. Gradually
add more until you reach your desired shade (again, you can always add
more black but it is very difficult to take it away).
1. Start by doing a practice sketch for your landscape painting… you only
get one piece of painting paper so don’t skip this step!
2. Get painting paper and lightly draw in your landscape.
3. Select the one color, or hue, you would like your painting to be.
4. Remember to start with white and gradually add small amounts of the
hue. Once you complete your true colour layer, switch to shades.
Continue with the layers until all are complete.
EXAMPLES: