In the context of color, what does brightness refer to?

In the context of color theory, brightness is commonly referred to as value. Value represents the lightness or darkness of a color, indicating how much light a color reflects. When we say a color is bright, we are indicating that it has a high value, meaning it is closer to white. Conversely, a darker color has a lower value, approaching black.

Chroma, on the other hand, refers to the intensity or purity of a color, indicating how vibrant or muted a color appears. Hue refers to the actual color itself, such as red, blue, or green. Saturation pertains to the intensity of the color in relation to a gray of the same value; high saturation means the color is vivid, while low saturation denotes a more washed-out appearance.

Focusing on value, it is essential in understanding how light and dark areas contribute to the overall perception of color and can influence the mood of a composition in art and design.