When it comes to mixing colors, pink and purple are two shades that go very well together. But what exactly do these two colors make when combined? The resulting color can vary depending on the specific shades of pink and purple used. However, in most cases, mixing pink and purple results in a shade that is somewhat between the two original colors.
The Color Wheel
To understand what color pink and purple make when mixed, it helps to look at a color wheel. The color wheel shows the relationship between different colors. Pink and purple sit next to each other on the color wheel. Pink is made by combining red and white. Purple is made by combining red and blue. Since pink and purple both contain red, they are complementary colors that blend well.
When two colors are mixed that sit next to each other on the color wheel, the resulting color is a shade between the two original colors. For example, if you mix red and orange, you get a reddish orange color. If you mix blue and purple, you get a bluish purple. Similarly, when pink and purple are mixed, the result is a shade between pink and purple.
Varying Shades
While mixing pink and purple generally results in a color between the two, the exact shade can vary greatly. This depends on how light or dark and how vivid or muted each original color is. For example:
- Mixing a very pale pink with a pale purple will make a light lavender color.
- Mixing a hot pink with a vivid purple will make a bright magenta.
- Mixing a dusty rose pink with a muted purple will make a soft mauve.
So the resulting color when you mix pink and purple can be anything from a pale lavender to a vivid fuchsia depending on the original shades used.
Common Mixed Colors
Here are some of the most common shades that result from mixing different variations of pink and purple:
- Lavender – Made by mixing very light or pale shades of pink and purple.
- Mauve – Made by mixing soft or muted shades of pink and purple.
- Orchid – Made by mixing medium tones of pink and purple.
- Fuchsia – Made by mixing vibrant or neon shades of pink and purple.
- Magenta – Made by mixing very saturated or intense shades of pink and purple.
These mixed shades range from the very pale lavender to the very vivid magenta. Most often, the resulting blended color will be somewhere in the middle within that range.
Mixing Pink and Purple Paint
When physically mixing pink and purple paint, there are a couple tips to get the best result:
- Use equal parts paint – Mix the two colors in equal ratios to start.
- Add more of each color as needed – If the result is too pink, add more purple. If it’s too purple, add more pink.
- Mix thoroughly – Continue mixing until the paint is one uniform color with no streaks.
- Test on paper – Try mixing a small amount first on paper to ensure you get the right shade before applying to a larger surface.
Following these tips helps blend the pink and purple paint into the desired hue. Test different ratios until you achieve the perfect balance between pink and purple for the look you want.
Mixing Pink and Purple Dye
The same general principles apply when mixing pink and purple dye, whether for fabric, hair, or other applications. Again, use approximately equal amounts of the two dye colors to start. Here are some tips for dyeing:
- Mix dyes thoroughly before applying.
- Do test strands first to confirm the color.
- Add more pink or purple dye as needed to adjust the balance.
- Expect some color variations across different materials.
- Set the dye following package directions.
Properly preparing and setting the dyes will help achieve an even, lasting result in the blended shade. Test on small sections first to perfect the pink/purple balance.
Digital Mixing of Pink and Purple
For digital projects like graphic design or web work, pink and purple can be easily mixed using color picker tools and RGB values. For example:
- Pink RGB value: 255, 192, 203
- Purple RGB value: 128, 0, 128
- Mixed RGB value: 192, 96, 166
This results in a fuchsia color halfway between the original pink and purple. Adjust the RGB values, keeping the same total for all three numbers, to tweak the balance as needed.
Many design programs also include built-in color blending tools to digitally mix any two colors. This provides an easy visual way to mix shades of pink and purple to find the perfect digital color.
Psychology of Pink and Purple
An interesting aspect to mixing pink and purple is the blended psychology these colors carry. Here is the general symbolic meaning behind these hues:
- Pink – Associated with femininity, love, kindness, and warmth.
- Purple – Associated with royalty, luxury, ambition, and mystery.
So when you mix pink and purple, you get a shade that combines the energetic, romantic aspects of pink with the wise, spiritual qualities of purple. The resulting color takes on a fun yet introspective personality.
Uses for Mixed Pink and Purple
The shades created by blending pink and purple are popular for use in many contexts. Here are some of the top uses for colors mixing these two hues:
- Fashion – Used in clothing, accessories, and cosmetics for a playful, feminine look.
- Interiors – Used in home decor, furniture, and accents for a whimsical feel.
- Events – Used for invitations, florals, and details at weddings, baby showers, and parties.
- Food – Used in cakes, candy, cocktails and more as a fun, eye-catching color.
- Branding – Used in logos, packaging, and advertising to appeal to women and girls.
The blended pink and purple shades have broad appeal for many industries and applications. They bring beautiful, vibrant color while also evoking positive emotions.
Conclusion
Mixing the complementary colors pink and purple results in a range of shades between the two original hues. While the exact resulting color can vary greatly, some of the most common shades created by blending pink and purple are lavender, mauve, orchid, fuchsia and magenta. Following basic color mixing principles and testing different ratios leads to the ideal balance. The blended color takes on symbolic meaning from both original hues for a fun yet introspective feel. With broad versatility and appeal, the pink and purple color mix sees widespread use across fashion, home decor, events, food, branding, and more.
