Leading Tone
The key color hue of a painting that determines its overall mood
Leading tone is the dominant color hue that prevails in a work of painting. It sets the atmosphere of the picture, influences the viewer's perception, and helps the artist express the intent. For example, a painting in a cold blue tone may evoke a feeling of calm or sadness, while a warm palette evokes energy and joy. To enhance the effect, artists often contrast a bright leading tone with muted background shades.
Interestingly, sometimes the choice of the main tone was born by chance: Van Gogh's some color solutions arose from a lack of paints, but it was this that later became a recognizable element of his style.
The leading tone works well for creating expressiveness, drama, or integrity of the work.