Page:Atlas of the Munsell color system.djvu/13



CHART

CHART C CHROMATIC BRANCHES OF THE COLOR TREE

(Scales of pigment chroma 0–10.)

CHROMA, i.e. the strength of pigment colors, is the third dimension of color, the other two being HUE and VALUE.

Chroma is represented by the branches of the color tree, which extend outward from its neutral axis and bear the Strongest colors at their extremities. These branches are of uneven length because pigments vary in strength or saturation.

The chroma scale of red projects ten (10) steps outward from a neutral gray of the same value (4), while green shows seven (7) and purple six (6) steps of chroma. The chroma scale of yellow projects nine (9) steps outward from a gray of the same value (8), while that of blue shows but six (6) steps of chroma.

These scales are not due to personal bias or guess work, but have been scientifically established. They explain the unequal power of pigments, showing how far the "warm hues" red and yellow, outbalance the "cool hues" blue and green. The circle struck from $N⁄5$ is the contour of the color sphere, within which all colors are balanced.

Measured scales of VALUE and CHROMA make it possible to define a color with exactness.

See chapter VI of the teacher’s handbook, "A COLOR NOTATION," (second edition).

PROTECT THE CHART FROM DUST AND HANDLING.