Two paintings side by side: at left, a pale, light-filled boating scene; at right, a small dark interior where a window and a hearth make the only lights.

Concept · Foundations

High Key and Low Key

A picture's key is where most of its values sit: mostly light is high key, mostly dark is low key.

Key does much to set the mood. It is separate from contrast: a high-key picture can still hold a few strong darks, and a low-key one a few bright lights.

See

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

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