>>7711316
>There's literally hundreds of guides and videos on that subject out there
That tell you how one guy might do it, meanwhile the million other ways are not covered. What is "the right" combination mean in this context? Just one that will achieve a balance as depicted?
Maybe you need this pointed out: "balanced tones" is not the goal most of the time. The manga used as an example in that image is comprised mostly of imbalanced compositions, because a balanced composition is only one single tool among many in storytelling.
And even still, its definition of "balanced tones" is just explained as arranging the values for maximum contrast. It says so right there on the image. So how does that answer anon's question? "How do I make the contrast in my image better?" "Arrange the values to achieve maximum contrast." This is not helpful advice. This is just rephrasing the question as statement. It's not telling him anything he doesn't already know.

The truth is that if and how you add a greater range of values to your image to make it not too gray or white is part of your identity as an artist. It's a problem that everybody faces and the choices they make in their drawings to solve it or not are a part of what defines their art style. A guide or tutorial can only tell you how one or a few artists solves the problem. It can't tell you how YOU should solve the problem.