What happens to a color's tone when a complementary color is added?

When a complementary color is added to a color, the tone of that color is lowered. This occurs because adding a color that is opposite on the color wheel tends to dull the brightness or saturation of the original color, resulting in a more muted or subdued appearance.

This process is a fundamental principle in color theory. Complementary colors, being on opposite sides of the color wheel, neutralize each other, and when mixed, they balance each other out, which can lead to a darker or less intense tone. This technique is often used in design and art to create depth and visual interest, allowing artists and designers to achieve a desired aesthetic by using color contrast effectively.

In contrast, the other potential outcomes of heightened tone, unchanged tone, or color disappearance do not accurately reflect what occurs in this color mixing process. The dynamic of complementary colors working together largely enhances the understanding of tonal shifts within the color spectrum.