Masstone (mass tone)
Plural: Masstones
Masstone (mass tone) definition
- The color of a pigment or paint as it appears in its thickest, most opaque state, typically straight from the tube.
- The dominant body color seen when paint is applied heavily, without dilution or spreading.
Examples
• Ultramarine blue in masstone appears very dark, almost black, but becomes a vivid blue when spread thin.
• Cadmium red looks deep and dense in masstone, but lighter and more luminous when mixed with white.
Context
Masstone is used in painting and color theory to describe how a pigment looks at full strength. It is especially important when selecting paints, as artists often compare masstones to judge initial color appearance before mixing or thinning. It contrasts with undertone, which becomes visible when the paint is spread thinly or diluted.
Core Principles
Derivation
From mass (large, dense quantity) + tone (color appearance). The term describes the visual effect of a pigment when seen in bulk.