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Glite Dictionary
🎨 Study of colors 🎵 Use of semitones
chromatics

chromatics

8.0
The study and use of color in art and music
  • noun
  • /krəˈmætɪks/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cromática
  • The lecture on chromatics highlighted how various colors can affect the mood of a piece of music.

Examples

  • Next to it hung Max Bill's 1947 attempt at a similar dialectic of form and color, measured space and infinite chromatics, Unlimited and Limited (Unbegrenzt und Begrenzt).

    Academic text (2013)

  • Understanding chromatics is essential for musicians who want to explore different colorations in their compositions.

  • Pieces that rely on chromatics are difficult for most East Africans.

    Academic text (1995)

  • This composition was a major success in the "jungle" style and an excellent example of Ellington's orchestral painting with unique harmonic voicings that included chromatics.

    Academic text (1999)

  • In her art class, the teacher emphasized the importance of chromatics in creating vibrant and expressive paintings.

Synonyms

coloration
vschromatics
  • US
1 5.5

The way an artist chooses and uses colors in a work

includes both practical use and the theoretical study of color
chromaticism
vschromatics
  • Specialized
8.4

To use strong colors in art or design to make it bright and vivid

focuses on the general study or use of color rather than vivid intensity
polychromy
vschromatics
  • Specialized
9.4

Decoration of objects like statues or buildings with many colors

applies to color study and use across art and music not only decoration

Surface Forms

chromatics singular
chromatics plural

Morphology

chromatics = chromatic (semi-transparent) = chrom + atics

While 'chromatic' relates to color, the specific academic study context in 'chromatics' is not immediately obvious.

Etymology

Chromatics comes from the Greek root chroma meaning 'color', and you can see this root in the familiar word monochrome ('one color'). So chromatics is the study or use of 'color' in art and design, which helps you remember its modern meaning.