The document discusses different types of color saturation on a color wheel. The outermost colors are the most saturated prismatic colors, while the inner colors are the least saturated achromatic grays. It notes that gradients between colors contain an infinite number of hues. When setting up saturation gradients using all color wheel complements, it forms a pattern of alternating prismatic, muted, and chromatic gray sections. The document advises paying attention to value differences between saturation levels when creating color studies.

1. Chromatic Grays and
Muted Colors
Thomas Green

2. In this color wheel, the outermost colors are the most saturated
and the ones in the middle are the least saturated.
There are specific names for these different saturations.

3. Prismatic

4. Prismatic
Muted

5. Prismatic
Muted
Chromatic
Gray

6. Prismatic
Muted
Chromatic
Gray
Achromatic
Gray

11. Prismatic Prismatic
Achromatic
Gray
MutedMuted
Chromatic
Gray
Chromatic
Gray
Here is a single stepped gradient from one prismatic
complement to the other.

12. As in all gradients, there are an infinite
number of colors between the
two prismatic colors.

13. When you set up these saturation
gradients using all the complements
on a 12 step color wheel it looks
something like this:

15. However, if you let the gradient
have an infinite number of steps as
in a smooth gradient, you will see that
not all the achromatics are directly on top
of each other.

18. You should also notice
that there are definite
value differences in
the gradients and
their different steps.

23. When creating your saturation studies
for the Color Assignment 1, be sure you
pay attention to these differences in value.

25. Muted Colors with a Variety of Hues and Values

26. Chromatic Grays with a Variety of Hues and Values

27. Prismatic with a Variety of Hues and Values

28. Prismatic Colors with a Variety of Hues and a Narrow Range of Values
High Key

29. Prismatic Colors with a Variety of Hues and a Narrow Range of Values
Low Key

31. Muted Colors with a Variety of Hues and Values

32. Muted Colors with a Variety of Hues and a Narrow Range of Values
Low Key

33. Muted Colors with a Variety of Hues and a Narrow Range of Values
High Key

35. Chromatic Grays with A Variety of Hues and Values

36. Chromatic Grays with a Variety of Hues and a Narrow Range of Values
High Key

37. Chromatic Grays with a Variety of Hues and a Narrow Range of Values
Low Key

39. Achromatic Grays with Variety of Values