What is gradation in terms of color?

• A. A sharp contrast between colors.
• B. Mixing two colors to create a new hue.
• C. Passing of one tint or shade of color to another.
• D. Using a single color across the design.

Answer: (C)

Gradation in color means a smooth, continuous change in color value from one area to another. It creates a gradual progression in lightness or saturation, such as a transition from pale to deep tones, or from one hue to a neighboring hue without sharp jumps. This is why the description of passing from one tint or shade to another best fits gradation—the change happens gradually rather than abruptly.

The other ideas describe different concepts: a sharp contrast between colors involves abrupt boundaries; mixing two colors to create a new hue is color blending, not a gradual transition; using a single color across the design is a flat, non-progressive approach.