Mixing paint colors is a fun way to experiment and see what new shades you can create. When you combine the primary colors blue and red, an entirely new secondary color emerges: purple. But what happens when you mix blue, red, and the tertiary color pink? The resulting color can range from various shades of purple to even a deep magenta depending on the exact pigments used. Understanding color theory and paint mixing fundamentals helps explain the science behind these color combinations.
The Basics of Color Mixing
Before diving into what blue, pink, and purple make when blended, it helps to understand some key principles of color theory and pigment mixing. Here are some important points:
– Primary colors are colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors. The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.
– Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors. For example, mixing red and blue makes purple.
– Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color next to it on the color wheel. For example, red and purple make red-violet.
– Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel. Red and green are complements, as are blue and orange.
– Mixing complementary colors creates brown hues.
– The more pigment added, the darker the mixed color will be. Mixing with white makes colors lighter.
So when mixing blue, pink, and purple paint, the resulting color depends on the type and amount of each pigment used.
Understanding the Pigments
To predict what color you’ll get, it’s important to know what makes up each of the mixed colors:
Blue pigment comes from minerals like azurite, ultramarine, or synthetic pigments. The exact hue can range from a greenish teal to a purple-blue.
Red pigment comes from minerals like red ochre or synthetic reds like napthol. Red ochre tends to be more of an orangey red.
Purple pigment is a mix of red and blue pigments. The hue shifts between red-violet and blue-violet.
Pink pigment is a light red, made by adding white to red pigment. It can range from a light peach to a vivid magenta.
So when mixing these pigments, you are essentially mixing red, blue, and white pigments in varying proportions. But the exact hue that results depends on the temperature and intensity of the red, blue, and pink used.
Mixing Blue, Pink, and Purple Paint
When blending blue, pink, and purple paint, the following general color outcomes are common:
– Blue-violet – If more blue pigment is used, the mix will shift towards a blue-violet. This is especially true if the blue has purple undertones.
– Magenta – Using a higher ratio of vivid pink and red pigment produces more of a magenta or fuchsia shade.
– Mauve – Mixing with high amounts of white makes the blend lighter and more mauve in tone.
– Dark purple – Adding a lot of all three pigments darkens the mix towards a deep purple.
– Greyed purple – Including complementary orange/yellow creates more greyed, muted purples.
The exact shade that results comes down to the specific pigments used and the proportions they are mixed in. Testing different mixes is the best way to observe the results.
Mixing Pink, Purple, and Blue Paint
Here is a look at some common color mixes that result from blending pink, purple, and blue paint:
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Color 3 | Resulting Color |
| Vivid magenta pink | Blue with red undertones | Red-violet purple | Dark purple with red tones |
| Peachy pink | Greenish blue | Blue-violet | Soft grayish purple |
| Light pink | Navy blue | Light purple | Pale mauve |
| Deep magenta pink | Bright blue | Vivid purple | Rich blue-toned purple |
As you can see, the resulting shades range from bold purples to soft mauves depending on the pigments used. Generally, more red-based pinks and purples mix to deeper or more vibrant purples, while lighter pinks and blues tone the blend down. But the possibilities are endless!
The Science Behind Mixing Pink, Purple, and Blue
On a scientific level, mixing pink, purple, and blue paint creates new shades because of how light interacts with the pigments. Here’s a brief explanation:
– Pigments absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. The reflected light is what we see as color.
– For example, blue pigment absorbs orange/yellow light and reflects blue. Purple absorbs green and reflects red+blue light.
– When multiple pigments are mixed, more wavelengths are absorbed. This creates a new reflected color we see as the blended hue.
– The more pigments mixed, the darker the resulting color, as more wavelengths are absorbed. Adding white returns reflectivity and lightens the mix.
So mixing various combinations of blue, purple and pink pigments absorbs different wavelengths, resulting in new shades from light mauve to deep magenta. The blending possibilities are infinite!
Tips for Mixing Pink, Blue, and Purple Paint
Here are some helpful tips when experimenting with mixing pink, purple, and blue paints:
– Use artist quality paints rather than student grade for more pigment intensity in mixes
– Make sure paints are thoroughly blended to avoid streakiness in the mixed color
– Start with small amounts and add more as needed to achieve the desired hue
– Add a neutral like white, black, or grey to lighten or darken the mix
– Test on a palette first before applying to your artwork
– Clean palette and brushes well between color mixes to avoid muddiness
– Take notes on successful color blend recipes for future reference
– Allow time for mixes to dry to see the true resulting color
– Have fun seeing what new hues you can create!
With some experimentation, you can discover beautiful new shades mixing varying combinations of pinks, blues and purples. Understanding the basics of color theory helps inform the blending process. But taking a playful, hands-on approach allows for limitless color discoveries.
Conclusion
When blended together, colors like pink, purple, and blue make shades ranging from bold purples to soft mauves. The resulting color depends on the specific pigments used and their proportions in the mix. Red-based pinks push mixes to deeper reds and magentas, while more blue and white mutes the tone. Mixing paints is the best way to observe how the colors interact. Mastering color blending takes practice, but opens up a world of new hues for endless creativity and expression.
