What is the outcome of mixing white and black?

Mixing white and black produces a change in the value of a color, which represents the lightness or darkness of that color. When you add white to any color, you are lightening it, and conversely, when you add black, you are darkening it. Therefore, the combination of white and black creates various shades of gray, which are specific variations of value.

In color theory, value is essential for creating depth and contrast in design. It affects how the eye perceives the color and can significantly influence the overall aesthetic of a composition. In contrast, a tone refers to changing a color by adding gray, while hue is the name of a color itself (like red or blue) without any modification, and a shade typically refers to a color made darker by adding black. Understanding value is crucial in floral design, as it helps florists create striking arrangements that can capture attention and convey emotion effectively.