Grey is a neutral color that can be created by mixing complementary colors together. The most common way to make grey is by mixing black and white paints or inks. However, other color combinations can also produce grey tones. So can mixing blue and grey create a grey color? Let’s take a closer look at color theory to find out.
The Basics of Color Theory
In color theory, there are three primary colors – red, yellow and blue. By mixing the primary colors together in different ratios, you can create all the other colors on the color wheel. For example:
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Yellow + Blue = Green
- Blue + Red = Purple
The secondary colors created by mixing two primary colors are located between those primaries on the color wheel. Beyond the primary and secondary colors are the tertiary colors created by mixing a primary and secondary shade.
Colors that are directly across from each other on the wheel are considered complementary colors. These color pairs contrast strongly with each other. The complementary pairings are:
- Red & Green
- Yellow & Purple
- Blue & Orange
When complementary colors are mixed together, they neutralize each other to create a grey, brown or black shade. The most common complementary pairing used to make grey is mixing blue and orange paint.
Creating Grey with Blue and Other Colors
While orange is blue’s primary complementary color, blue can be mixed with a range of colors besides orange to create different greys and neutral tones. Here are some examples:
- Blue + Orange – Mixing these complements neutralizes the vibrancy of each color, resulting in a true grey. Adding more blue gives a cooler grey tone while extra orange yields a warmer shade.
- Blue + Purple – These are both considered cool colors and their combination produces a grey with blue undertones. The more purple used, the warmer the grey becomes.
- Blue + Green – Green is made of yellow and blue, so it still contains some components complementary to pure blue. Combining the two can create grey or brown hues depending on the green shade used.
- Blue + Red/Pink – While not directly complementary, these combinations still neutralize each other. Blues and reds mix into purplish or stone-like greys.
- Blue + Brown – As browns contain subtle orange, red and yellow tones, adding blue neutralizes those warm hues and shifts the color towards grey with some brown character still present.
The specific grey shade that results from mixing blue with another color depends on the blue pigment used and ratios of each color. pay attention to the undertones of the colors being blended. Cooler blues and greens produce greys with blue undertones while warm shades of orange, red and purple mix into greys with subtle yellow, pink or brown hints.
Tinting Grey with Blue
In addition to mixing blue with complementary colors, you can also add blue to an existing grey paint or ink to subtly alter its tone and temperature.
Starting with a true neutral grey and adding a small amount of blue pigment will tint the original color towards a cooler, icy grey with faint blue undertones. The more blue added, the more visible the blue tones become. This technique can be done with any hue to shift a neutral grey into a slightly colored tint.
Some examples of blue-tinted greys include:
- Cadet Grey
- Iceberg
- Light Slate Grey
- Columbia Blue
- Ice Blue
This method produces soft, subdued grey tones compared to mixing blue and a complementary color directly. The blue takes on more of a subtle supporting role rather than totally neutralizing the original grey. This gives designers and artists flexibility when wanting to inject some color character into a neutral scheme.
Using Blue to Create Black
Mixing complements is also how black is created through color theory. Black is the darkest possible shade, containing the full combination of all hues. While black paint is commonly used as a base for mixing other colors, theoretically, black can be mixed by combining the 3 primary colors.
In terms of using blue to make black, the combination needed is:
- Blue
- Red
- Yellow
This balances out the color wheel for full neutralization into black. However, different pigments and paint formulas mean you may not always get a perfect black. Mixing too much of one primary color can result in a dark, murky shade with a specific color tint.
When just working with blue to mix towards black, adding its complement of orange gives the closest pure black tone. This balances the cool and warm components comprehensively. But acceptable blacks can also be blended by combining blue with greens, reds, purples or browns.
Lightening Grey with Blue
At the other end of the spectrum, blue can also be used to lighten and brighten medium to dark grey tones. By adding small amounts of a light blue to a charcoal, slate or gunmetal grey base, hints of blue start to lift the overall darkness of the color.
Some examples of greys lightened with blue include:
- Light French Grey
- Grey Chill
- Hazy Grey Blue
- Wispy Blue Grey
The blue takes on a subtle effect, with the original grey base still dominant. Cooler blue hues tend to work best for maintaining the grey tone while injecting some brightness and luminosity.
Too much blue risks turning the color too blue, so a delicate touch is needed. But used in the right ratios, hints of light blue can provide a vibrant lift to muted, dark greys.
Key Properties of Blue Pigments
When working with blue to mix greys and blacks, pay attention to the different properties of blue pigments available. Key factors like transparency, lightfastness and staining power differ between blue varieties and impact their mixing behaviors.
Here is an overview of common blue pigments and their key qualities:
| Pigment | Transparency | Lightfastness | Staining Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultramarine Blue | Opaque | Excellent | Moderate |
| Cobalt Blue | Semi-transparent | Excellent | Low |
| Prussian Blue | Transparent | Good | High |
| Phthalo Blue | Transparent | Excellent | High |
Opaque, low staining blues like ultramarine and cobalt work best for mixing clean greys. Transparent, high staining pigments can end up tinting the mixes and make neutralization more difficult. But for quickly darkening and shading mixes into black, high staining blues are ideal.
Using Blue Greys in Design
Within the spectrum of grey colors, blue greys have a versatile role in design and decor. Blue greys balance classic grey neutrality with a cooler, slightly chromatic twist. This gives them wider styling potential than plain true greys.
Some popular ways to utilize blue greys include:
- Walls – Blue greys make refined interior wall colors that still read as neutral but with more visual interest than basic greys.
- Furniture – For furniture like sofas, chairs and cabinets, blue greys read as sophisticated classics with a modern edge.
- Accessories – Blue greys can be used for rugs, pillows, throws and other accent pieces to pull a room together.
- Kitchens/Bathrooms – The cool tones of blue greys work well in kitchens and baths, especially paired with stainless steel and chrome.
- Bedding -alternating layers of blue greys and whites makes for cozy, calming bedding.
Overall, blue greys hit the balance of feeling both warm and cool at the same time. They lower the temperature of true greys but maintain a softer, more welcoming vibe than harsher dark blues. This gives them flexibility in both traditional and contemporary spaces.
Conclusion
While not a typical color combination, blue can indeed be mixed with complementary orange or other hues to create blue-influenced neutral greys. Adding small amounts of blue to existing grey paints and inks is also an easy technique to alter their temperature and lightness.
Taking the time to experiment with different blue pigments and ratios allows artists to really fine tune the subtle nuances of blue greys. Opaque lightfast pigments tend to yield the cleanest mixes. But transparent and staining blues have their place for quickly darkening and shading colors towards black.
Incorporating blue greys into designs and palettes allows the introduction of color in a soft, neutral way. Their versatility spans both classic and modern aesthetics. So don’t be afraid to add blue to grey for a unique twist on this foundational color.
