The use of different tones of one colour in a painting is called:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:

A **Monochromatic** color scheme is correctly defined as the use of a single hue, or one color, with all its possible variations in value and intensity. This is achieved by manipulating the lightness and darkness of the base color through the addition of white (creating a **tint**), black (creating a **shade**), or gray (creating a **tone**). For example, a painting that uses only dark blue, medium blue, light blue, and pale blue is monochromatic. This scheme is often used by artists to create a strong sense of unity, harmony, and visual quietness in a composition, while the variations in tone provide depth and dimension without introducing color complexity. It is a powerful technique for focusing the viewer's attention on form, texture, and light rather than on hue contrasts, perfectly matching the description "different tones of one colour."

The incorrect option is 1:
**Achromatic** literally means "without color." This term is used for a color scheme that is limited exclusively to the neutral colors: black, white, and the entire spectrum of grays that results from their mixture. In an achromatic work, no actual hue (such as red, blue, or yellow) is present. Since the question specifically mentions the use of "one colour" (or one hue) and its tones, Achromatic is an incorrect choice because it removes hue entirely. Therefore, this option describes a work based on neutrals and value, not the varied tones of a single color.

The incorrect option is 3:
**Polychromatic** is the direct opposite of monochromatic. The prefix 'poly' means 'many,' so a polychromatic scheme refers to the use of many different, distinct, and sometimes contrasting colors in a single artwork. This scheme emphasizes variety and vibrancy, often resulting in a complex and visually stimulating composition. It involves the use of multiple separate hues from across the color wheel. Because it uses many different hues, it fundamentally contradicts the criterion of using only "different tones of *one* colour," making it the wrong answer.

The incorrect option is 4:
**Analogous or Related Harmony** is a scheme that uses colors situated side-by-side on the color wheel, such as red, red-orange, and orange. While these colors are closely related and create a harmonious effect, they are distinct **hues** (separate colors), not just different tones of one single color. A monochromatic scheme is strictly limited to one hue, whereas an analogous scheme always incorporates a minimum of two or three neighboring hues, thereby making it an inaccurate answer for the concept described in the question.