Purple is a secondary color made by combining red and blue. It sits between violet and magenta on the color wheel. Purple has a complementary color of yellow. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel and create a high contrast when paired together.
The Color Wheel
The color wheel is a visual representation of color theory that shows the relationship between colors. Primary colors are red, yellow and blue. Secondary colors like purple are made by mixing two primary colors. Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color. Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the wheel.
| Primary Colors | Red, Yellow, Blue |
| Secondary Colors | Purple, Orange, Green |
| Tertiary Colors | Red-purple, Red-orange, Yellow-orange, Yellow-green, Blue-green, Blue-purple |
The color directly across from purple on the wheel is yellow. This means purple and yellow are complementary colors. They create a strong contrast when placed next to each other.
Properties of Purple
Purple is made by mixing red and blue. The amount of red and blue can be adjusted to create different shades and tones of purple.
On the RGB color model, purple is created by combining high amounts of red and blue light. The hex code of purple is #800080.
On the CMYK color model used for print, purple is made by mixing high amounts of magenta and high amounts of cyan ink.
Purple is a regal color associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It is also associated with mystery, magic, and spirituality.
Dark shades of purple like eggplant or burgundy have a sophisticated, intimate feeling. Lighter lavender shades are soft and romantic. Bright purples like fuchsia are energetic and fun.
Shades of Purple
There are many rich and varied shades of the color purple. Here are some common shades and their hex codes:
| Lavender | #E6E6FA |
| Thistle | #D8BFD8 |
| Orchid | #DA70D6 |
| Plum | #DDA0DD |
| Violet | #EE82EE |
| Fuchsia | #FF00FF |
| Magenta | #FF00FF |
| Amethyst | #9966CC |
| Byzantium | #702963 |
| Eggplant | #614051 |
Lavender is a light, soft purple with pink undertones. Thistle is a pale purple-gray color. Orchid is a bright rosy purple. Plum is a sultry purple with red undertones. Violet is a light purple that borders on indigo.
Fuchsia and magenta are vivid purplish-pinks. Amethyst is a jewel-toned purple, while Byzantium is a rich royal purple. Eggplant is a very dark purple that borders on black.
Tints and Shades of Purple
Tints of purple are created by adding white to the color. This lightens and softens the purple. Popular tints include:
| Lilac | #C8A2C8 |
| Wisteria | #C9A0DC |
| Lavender blush | #FFF0F5 |
Shades of purple are created by adding black to the color. This creates darker, richer hues of purple. Some shades include:
| Eggplant | #614051 |
| Dark violet | #9400D3 |
| Purple heart | #69359C |
Tones are created by adding gray to a color. This mutes the brightness while keeping the main purple hue. Popular purple tones include:
| Grape | #6F2DA8 |
| Aubergine | #3D0734 |
| Mulberry | #C54B8C |
Purple in Nature
Purple occurs naturally in some flowers, fruits and vegetables. These include:
| Lavender |
| Lilac |
| Violets |
| Eggplant |
| Purple cabbage |
| Purple cauliflower |
| Purple grapes |
| Plums |
The pinkish-purple color of lavender, lilac and violet flowers comes from anthocyanin pigments. The deep purple of eggplants, cabbage and grapes comes from anthocyanins as well.
When anthocyanins mix with the yellow carotenoids in cauliflower, they create vibrant purple hues. Plums contain anthocyanins along with chlorophyll, creating their blue-tinged purple flesh.
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors are any two colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. They create the highest contrast when placed side-by-side.
The complementary color of purple is yellow. Other complementary color pairs include:
| Red | Green |
| Orange | Blue |
| Yellow | Purple |
When complementary colors are mixed together, they cancel each other out and create a neutral gray or brown. However, when placed next to each other, they make each other appear brighter and more intense.
Purple and Yellow Color Combinations
There are many ways to pair purple with its complementary yellow for stunning color combinations:
– Light purple and lemon yellow create a bright, lively pairing like lilac and daffodils.
– Rich purple and gold make an elegant and luxurious combination. Think amethyst and goldenrod.
– Muted mauve and mustard yellow give a sophisticated earthy look, like lavender and wheat.
– Vibrant fuchsia and bright yellow make a fun, funky duo. Try fuchsia and marigold.
– Regal purple and bronze yellow create a bold, dynamic pairing. Byzantium and bronze chrysanthemums are stunning.
– Soft lilac and sunny yellow are cheerful and spring-like together. Picture lilacs and daffodils.
Purple Color Palettes
Some examples of stunning purple color palettes include:
– Purple, yellow, green – The complementary yellow makes the purple pop while green provides a natural accent.
– Purple, blue, silver – Cool metallics like silver nicely balance rich blues and purples.
– Purple, red, gold – A luxurious royal palette with rich, warm tones. Great for nobility or medieval themes.
– Pink, purple, turquoise – Vibrant contrasting colors are energetic and fun together.
– Purple, orange, chartreuse – Bold, bright, daring color triads really stand out.
Conclusion
In summary, purple is a secondary color created by mixing red and blue. It has a complementary color of yellow on the color wheel. There are many shades and tints of purple found in nature like lilacs, plums and eggplants. When paired with yellow, purple creates high-contrast combinations that are dynamic and eye-catching. From light lilac and lemon yellow, to regal deep purple and gold, it’s a versatile color with many stunning palette options. Complementary colors like purple and yellow make each other pop when placed side-by-side.
