Mixing colors is an exciting part of painting and art. When you combine two primary colors, you get a secondary color as a result. But what happens when you mix two secondary colors together, like blue and purple? The resulting color can be intriguing and sometimes unexpected. In this article, we’ll explore what happens when blue and purple paint are mixed together.
Quick Answers
– Mixing blue and purple paint makes a new shade that is a blend of the two colors. The resulting color is usually a shade of violet or lavender.
– The exact shade you get depends on the individual blue and purple pigments used and their intensities. A deep royal blue and dark purple will make a very dark lavender when combined.
– Mixing paint is different than mixing light. When blue and purple light mix, the result is white light. Mixing blue and purple pigments results in a subtler blended color.
– Acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints will all blend together when mixed. The intensity and ratios will affect the end result. Start with small amounts and adjust as desired.
– Mixing blue and purple is a great way to create custom shades and explore color theory. Understanding color mixing leads to endless creative possibilities.
The Color Wheel
To understand what happens when blue and purple paint are mixed, it helps to look at a color wheel. The color wheel displays the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. These can’t be created by mixing other colors. When you combine two primary colors, you get one of the secondary colors – purple, green, or orange.
Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color. Blue and purple are both secondary colors on the color wheel. This means they are already a mix of two primary colors.
| Secondary Color | Made By Mixing |
|---|---|
| Blue | Green + Purple |
| Purple | Red + Blue |
So blue contains primary colors blue and yellow. Purple contains primary colors blue and red. This composition informs what happens when they are blended.
Mixing Pigments vs. Light
Mixing paint pigments is different than mixing colored light. With light, combining blue and purple produces a completely different result.
When blue and purple light mix, the result is white light. This additive mixing of light is how televisions and computer screens create other colors by blending red, blue, and green light.
With paints and pigments, mixing is subtractive. Combining two pigments makes a new blended color rather than white light. The pigments absorb and reflect different wavelengths, creating a new shade.
So while blue and purple light becomes white, blue and purple paint mixes to form a subtle, blended tertiary color instead.
Mixing Blue and Purple Paint
When blue and purple acrylic, oil, or watercolor paints are mixed together, the resulting color is usually a shade of violet or lavender.
The exact shade depends on:
– The specific pigments used – Ultramarine blue vs cyan blue, magenta purple vs violet purple
– The intensities of each color – Deep royal blue vs light sky blue
– The ratios of the two colors mixed – More blue vs more purple
Mixing a deep royal blue and dark purple will make a very dark lavender, closer to a deep purple. Mixing a light periwinkle blue and lavender purple will create a very pale, delicate lavender.
Some examples of colors created by mixing blue and purple paint:
– Royal blue + violet = dark orchid
– Navy blue + magenta purple = tyrian purple
– Cyan blue + lavender = pale lavender
– Sky blue + lilac = wisteria
The possibilities are endless! Mixing blues and purples allows you to explore the nuances between these secondary colors on the color wheel.
Mixing Tips
Here are some tips when mixing blue and purple paint:
– Start with very small amounts and add gradually. Too much purple or blue can overwhelm.
– Mix on a palette first to achieve the desired color before applying to canvas or paper.
– Make sure to thoroughly mix so no streaks of individual colors show.
– Be mindful of how colors may dry to a slightly different shade.
– Consider opacity. More opaque pigments will overpower transparent ones.
– Note that watercolors and other thin paints layer differently than thicker acrylics and oils when mixing on the canvas.
– Take photos of your mixed colors. They can be hard to recreate exactly by memory.
– Clean brushes thoroughly between colors to keep them from getting muddied.
– Use a neutral base like white or gray to show true tones when testing a mixed color.
Examples of Mixed Blues and Purples
Here are some examples of popular shades created by mixing different blue and purple paint pigments:
| Color Name | Mix |
|---|---|
| Orchid | Deep royal blue + violet |
| Tyrian Purple | Navy blue + magenta purple |
| Wisteria | Sky blue + lilac |
| Lavender | Periwinkle blue + lavender |
| Thistle | Indigo blue + mulberry purple |
The shades created depend on the blue and purple pigments used. Mixing cobalt or prussian blue will result in deeper tones than ultramarine or cyan. Playing with these variables is part of the fun of mixing paint!
Using Complementary Colors
Blue and purple are considered to be complementary colors. These are color pairs located opposite each other on the color wheel.
Some examples of complements:
– Red and green
– Yellow and purple
– Blue and orange
Using small amounts of complementary colors can create nice contrast and visual interest. Complementary colors also help mute and tone down each other.
So adding a touch of blue to purple makes it less intense. And mixing in purple makes blue feel more subtle. Using them together helps create nuanced secondary and tertiary shades.
Color Theory
Mixing blue and purple is a great way to understand and apply color theory principles:
– Primary, secondary, and tertiary colors – See how paint mixing follows the color wheel
– Complementary colors – Using opposites like blue and purple creates contrast
– Color value – Mixing makes lighter, darker, and muted versions of a hue
– Color saturation – Adding complements reduces intensity of a color
– Color schemes – Monochromatic, analogous, and triadic schemes use mixed hues
– Color psychology – Different colors evoke different moods and emotions
Experimenting by mixing colors helps develop an intuitive understanding of how color interactions work visually. Mastering color mixing gives endless options for creating beautiful works of art.
Mixing Other Color Combinations
The same general principles that apply to mixing blue and purple paint apply when blending other paint colors.
Some examples of mixing tertiary colors:
– Red and orange make a range of reds and oranges
– Yellow and green create shades of green and chartreuse
– Yellow and purple make earth tones and olive greens
Mixing analogous colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, like blue and purple, creates subtle blended hues. Complementary pairs feature more contrast.
Trying different mixing ratios is key – more yellow vs. more purple dramatically shifts the tone. Taking notes helps replicate your favorite mixed shades.
Conclusion
When blue and purple paint are mixed together, the resulting color is usually a beautiful lavender, orchid, or wisteria shade. Mixing paints in different ratios allows you to explore the range between these secondary colors on the color wheel. Understanding how to blend paints unlocks new creative possibilities and color combinations for your artwork.
Experiment and have fun seeing what tones you can create by mixing different blues and purples. Use complementary colors like these in small doses to make colors pop. Take notes on your favorite mixes and apply what you learn about color theory to expand your artistic skills. So grab some blue and purple paint and see what stunning shades you can invent!
