Tint vs Shade



Out of the entire color spectrum, only the three primary and three secondary colors can be veritably called as colors. Rest of the colors available belong to the categories of tints, hues, or shades of the primary and secondary colors which are formed by either adding or mixing two or more colors together. Therefore, when dealing with colors, it is of utmost importance that the difference between a tint and a shade is properly distinguished.

What is Tint?

Also, sometimes referred to as Pastel, a tint means basically lightning any color by mixing it with the color white. Any amount of white can be added to these colors to create the desired effect, whether it be barely tinted, nearly white or extremely pale. Adding a touch of white to a pure pigment can give it some body, thereby creating a smoother effect on the eyes. For example, a bright red can be turned a pleasing pink that is soft on the eye by adding just a touch of pink to it.

Tints are known to work well in feminine environments as they usually create a soft, youthful and soothing effect. Tints are often used for advertising and marketing purposes, and one often sees soft pastel colors being used for websites or advertising material when they are targeting a female demographic. In painting too it’s common to see pastels being used for the focal points of the painting while entire paintings are sometimes seen to be done in pastel colors.

What is Shade?

A shade can be easily defined as any color with black added to it with the aim of making it a tad bit darker. The amount of black that one adds is at the discretion of the user according to his or her preference. In doing this, one is offered the choice of going from a barely shaded pure hue, nearly black, to an extremely dark shade.

The color black must be used sparingly, as because of its strength, it can overpower any other color and can easily destroy the main color. While some artists make use of it carefully, others choose not to use it at all. Shades convey a message of mystery, power and depth and works well within a masculine environment. In marketing and advertising, one often sees shades used in profusion when the advertiser wants to convey a powerful message or the target market of the advertisement is a male demographic.

What is the difference between Tint and Shade?

A tint is created by adding white to any color thereby making it lighter. A shade is created by adding black to any color, thereby making it darker.

Artists are seen to be using their lightest pastels for focal points or to be creating the entire paintings in pastel. However, artists tend to use black sparingly because of its overwhelming nature.

Tints work well within feminine environments. Shades are better suited for a masculine environment.

Tints convey softness, gentleness and pleasantness. Shades convey power, mystery and depth.

Colors are varied, but it is plain to see that using tint or shade one can make the colors as light or deep as desired. It is because of this very reason that one should learn the difference between tint and shade in order to gain a better understanding of colors and their uses.