Tint

Plural: tints

Tint definition

A tint is a color created by adding white to a pure hue, making it lighter in value. It reduces the intensity and darkness of a color, moving it toward a higher value (closer to white).

Examples

Red + white → pink (a tint of red)

Blue + white → light blue

Yellow + white → pale yellow

Context

In painting, tint is used to describe lighter variations of a color within the light family. It helps artists represent light hitting a surface, atmospheric softness, or delicate transitions. Understanding tint is essential for controlling value without changing the underlying hue too much.

Core Principles

Derivation

From Old English tyntan (to dye or color), later influenced by the idea of “tinging” or slightly coloring something with light

See also