Mixing colors can produce exciting and unexpected results. When it comes to mixing the complementary colors purple and orange, a range of rich, vibrant secondary shades can be created. In this article, we will explore what happens when you combine purple and orange paints, dyes, or pigments, and look at the color theory behind these color mixtures.
The Basics of Mixing Purple and Orange
Purple and orange sit opposite each other on the color wheel. This means they are complementary colors. When complementary colors are mixed together, they neutralize each other. This pushes the resulting color towards a more muted, grayed-out shade. However, mixing complements doesn’t always produce a neutral color. The specific shades of purple and orange being used, along with the proportions they are mixed in, significantly affect the final result.
As a general rule of thumb, mixing a vivid purple with a strong orange will first desaturate both colors. This brings down the intensity and saturation. If more orange is added, the mixture will become increasingly warm, shifting from purple-gray to orange-gray. When more purple is used, the mix will become cooler in tone.
Tertiary Colors Created by Mixing Purple and Orange
Combining purple and orange paint or light can create a diverse range of tertiary colors. These are colors made by mixing a primary color with a secondary color adjacent to it on the color wheel. The most common tertiary shades created by mixing purple and orange include:
- Red-purple
- Red-orange
- Yellow-orange
- Yellow-green
- Blue-green
- Blue-purple
The exact shades that appear depend on the purple and orange hues being blended. For example, a bluish purple mixed with a yellowish orange will produce more of a red-purple. Shift the orange towards red, and the mix will become more of a blue-purple. When working with paint or dyes, the quantities of each color added in also significantly impact the end result.
Mixing Color Pigments vs. Light
It’s important to understand that mixing colored pigments, like paint or dyes, produces different results than mixing colored light, like stage lighting. This is because pigments work by absorbing and reflecting different wavelengths of light. When two pigments are combined, the new color reflects the wavelengths that weren’t absorbed. Light mixing, on the other hand, is additive. The wavelengths combine to produce new colors.
For example, mixing red and blue paint pigments absorbs all but the violet light wavelengths. This gives purple. But shining red and blue light together produces magenta. So mixing purple and orange pigment vs. light will result in slightly different tertiary shades.
Proportions for Mixing Purple and Orange
The quantities of purple and orange used significantly affect the end result. Using more of one color than the other will skew the mixture closer to that dominant shade. Here is a quick guide to the general effects of different purple and orange color proportions:
| Purple | Orange | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Large amount | Small amount | Purple-biased tertiary |
| Equal amounts | Equal amounts | Neutral muted tone |
| Small amount | Large amount | Orange-biased tertiary |
As a general guideline, the mixture will appear more neutral and desaturated if you use equal parts purple and orange. Uneven ratios will give tertiary colors containing more of the dominant shade.
Using Different Shades of Purple and Orange
Varying the specific shades of purple and orange used will significantly influence the kinds of tertiary colors that appear. Here is a look at some of the most common purple and orange shades and the effects of mixing them:
| Purple Shade | Orange Shade | Mix Result |
|---|---|---|
| Violet | Vermilion orange | Red-purple |
| Lilac | Burnt orange | Dusky pink or mauve |
| Magenta | Bright tangerine orange | Reddish tone |
| Lavender | Peach | Soft pinkish-purple |
| Orchid | Rusty orange | Earthy red-brown |
As shown, the specific purple and orange shades used have a big impact on whether the mix leans more towards red, pink, or brown tinted tertiaries. Keeping the proportions equal also helps achieve a more neutral result.
Opacity and Tinting Strength
How opaque or transparent the purple and orange paints or dyes are will affect the outcome. More opaque, heavily pigmented colors will usually overwhelm paler tints when mixed. For a truer tertiary shade, it works best to use opaque colors of similar tinting strength or transparency. Otherwise, the stronger pigment will dominate.
Extenders can be added to very intense, staining paint colors before mixing to reduce their tinting strength. This helps achieve a more balanced, blended tertiary from otherwise overpowering pigments. Ultimately, some experimentation may be needed to find purple and orange shades that mix well.
Mixing Dyes vs. Pigments
Mixing purple and orange dyes tends to produce more neutral, muted tertiaries than mixing heavy opaque pigments. Dyes have a weaker tinting strength than dense pigments. This means the complement colors mutually desaturate each other. Mixing transparent dyes also allows more light to pass through and reflect back. This illuminates the mixture from within, toning down the contrast.
Mixing opaque paint pigments creates more intense, saturated tertiaries with a noticeably higher contrast. The dense pigments absorb and reflect more light than diluted dyes, lending vibrancy and color definition.
Using Different Color Mixing Mediums
The type of paint medium or dye base used affects the mixing process and results. Here’s a look at how common color mediums influence mixing purple and orange:
| Medium | Mixing Qualities |
|---|---|
| Oil paint | Mixes smoothly, long working time |
| Acrylic paint | Mixes evenly, dries quickly |
| Watercolor | Difficult to control mix, flows freely |
| Dye bath | Allows subtle mixing, transparent results |
| Cotton/silkscreen printing | Can blend colors through overlapped prints |
Oil and acrylic paints allow good control over color blending. Watercolors and dyes involve more diffusion and unpredictability. Printed color mixing relies on the transparency of overlapped layers.
Best Paints for Mixing Vibrant Tertiaries
High quality, pure pigment paints with good opacity produce the most vibrant tertiary shades. Inferior paints with weak pigments result in more dull, murky mixes. Here are some excellent paints to use when blending purple and orange:
- Winsor & Newton Artists’ Acrylic
- Liquitex Professional Heavy Body Acrylics
- Holbein Artist Acrylic
- Golden Heavy Body Acrylics
- DecoArt Americana Acrylics
- Turner Acryl Gouache
Always check that the individual orange and purple shades mix well together first. Some pigment combinations create more vibrance than others.
Mixing Other Color Combinations with Purple and Orange
While the primary focus is on blending purple and orange, both colors can also be mixed with other shades on the color wheel. Here are some examples of tertiary colors that can be made:
- Purple and greens = blue-green or yellow-green tones
- Purple and reds = red-violet hues
- Orange and greens = olive and lime shades
- Orange and blues = earthy reddish-browns
The same color theory principles apply when mixing purple or orange with other shades. Keeping the proportions balanced, and using pure intense pigments, will give the most vibrant and clean tertiaries.
Matching Colors for Seamless Blending
When mixing colors, it’s vital to match the paint or dye formulations as closely as possible. Even subtle differences in chemical makeup between two apparently similar purples or oranges can cause uneven mixing. Always mix brands and ranges together via test swatches first. Match the colors under the same lighting conditions you intend to view the finished piece.
Batches of custom mixed tertiary shades can be stored in sealed containers and remixed later. But be aware that over time, pigments may settle and separate. Always re-blend and test batches before use for complete evenness of color.
Permanence and Lightfastness
Over time, the tertiary mixtures of purple and orange can change due to the effects of UV light exposure or chemical interactions between pigments. Checking the lightfastness ratings of the specific paints used is important for longevity. Pigments rated as excellent or very good are more colorfast.
Storing mixed colors in dark, climate-controlled conditions is recommended. Displaying mixed media art indoors, away from direct sun will also help preserve the original vibrancy of blended colors long-term.
Using Purple and Orange Mixes in Art and Design
Vibrant tertiary shades created from purple and orange can add exciting dimensions to paintings, textile dye projects, ceramics, print designs, and more. Here are some ways to effectively use purple-orange mixes:
- As bold, contrasting triadic color schemes with yellow
- For color gradients between purple and orange elements
- To create visually complex, multi-dimensional subject matter
- As fill colors for intricate prints and patterns
- For subtly shifting color variations in abstract designs
- To add richness and depth as shadow colors
Remember that color preferences are subjective. Experiment with different mixing recipes until you achieve hues that give the visual impact you desire.
Tips for Eye-Catching Use of Purple-Orange Color Combinations
Here are some handy tips for working with complementary purple and orange mixes to maximum visual impact:
- Use warm orange contrasts to make cool purples appear more vibrant
- Introduce purple into orange schemes for added complexity
- Allow colors to graduate gradually between purple and orange zones
- Use tertiaries instead of muted shades for more interest
- Print transparent purple overlays onto orange backgrounds
- Incorporate orange shadows into predominantly purple subjects
With strong color contrasts kept in balance, purple-orange mixes can create bold focal points or dynamic movement within a design.
Achieving Different Aesthetics with Purple-Orange Combinations
Changing the proportions and exact shades of purple and orange allows different looks to emerge. Here are some examples of aesthetic effects:
- Rich elegance – Deep purple and burnt orange
- Vintage charm – Muted mauve and rusty peach orange
- Tropical vibrance – Bright magenta purple and tangerine orange
- Retro chic – Lilac purple and terracotta orange
- Ethereal beauty – Pale violet and soft coral orange
Mix colors on test sheets first until your perfect palette balances and supports your desired style. Gradual color transitions will also help unify varied shades.
Conclusion
Mixing the complementary colors purple and orange produces a wide gamut of tertiary shades. While the general result is initially a more muted, neutral tone, adding more of one color than the other shifts the mix towards either purple or orange biased hues.
Many factors influence the final result, including the specific pigments used, their proportions, opacity, and medium. Taking a considered approach allows subtle variations in tertiary tones for different effects. Vibrant blends of purple and orange can inject excitement and visual interest into all kinds of arts and design projects.
