Royal blue is a rich, deep shade of blue that has been associated with royalty for centuries. While true royal blue can be difficult to mix, you can blend your own version of this regal color by combining primary colors like red and blue.
Understanding Royal Blue
Royal blue sits between navy and cobalt on the color wheel. It has a similar richness to navy but slightly more purple undertones from the red. The hexadecimal code for true royal blue is #4169e1.
Some key facts about royal blue:
- It’s a dark, rich shade between navy and cobalt blue.
- The hexadecimal code is #4169e1.
- It has a slight purple tint from red undertones.
- The name comes from its use by European royalty.
- It’s symbolic of authority, dignity, and luxury.
Historically, royal blue was expensive to produce which is why it was reserved for noble or royal families in Europe. The dye came from the rare mineral lapis lazuli. Today most royal blue is mixed from primary colors.
Blending Royal Blue with Paint
When blending royal blue with paint, you’ll need to mix a blue paint with small amounts of red and possibly purple:
| Color | Amount |
|---|---|
| Navy or cobalt blue | 50 ml |
| Purple | 5 ml |
| Red | 2 ml |
Start with a navy or cobalt blue paint as your base. Add a small amount of purple paint and mix thoroughly. Purple has more red undertones than blue which will give a slight purple tinge.
Next, add a tiny amount of red paint, no more than a couple ml. Red deepens the shade and brings out the subtle red undertones. Mix everything thoroughly to evenly distribute the colors.
Test your blended paint on a spare canvas or piece of paper. Add more red for a deeper royal blue or more purple to intensify the purple tones. Adjust the amounts until you match the rich royal blue shade you want.
Mixing Royal Blue with Dye
For mixing dyes, you’ll combine a blue dye with red and purple dyes:
| Color | Amount |
|---|---|
| Blue dye | 1 cup |
| Purple dye | 2 tbsp |
| Red dye | 1 tbsp |
Start by dissolving one cup of a blue dye like cobalt or navy in hot water. Slowly stir in 2 tablespoons of purple dye until fully dissolved. Add 1 tablespoon of red dye and mix thoroughly combine everything.
Test your blended dye on a swatch of fabric. Adjust the purple and red amounts to get your perfect royal blue hue. Add more purple for a subtle undertone or red to make it deeper and richer.
The best dyes for blending royal blue are fiber reactive dyes. They produce the most vivid, intense shades of blue and purple.
Mixing Royal Blue Frosting
For royal blue icing or frosting, use gel food colors to tint white frosting:
| Color | Amount |
|---|---|
| White frosting | 2 cups |
| Blue gel color | 1/2 tsp |
| Red gel color | 1/4 tsp |
| Purple gel color | 1/8 tsp |
Start with two cups of white frosting. Add a healthy 1/2 teaspoon of blue gel coloring and mix thoroughly to create a bright blue frosting.
Next, add 1/4 teaspoon of red gel color. The red will neutralize some of the brightness but also add richness. Finally, add just a pinch (1/8 tsp) of purple gel coloring. The purple brings out the subtle red tones in royal blue.
Mix everything thoroughly until fully blended. Taste test on a spare cookie or cake slice. Adjust the amounts of red and purple gel coloring to achieve the perfect royal blue frosting for decorating.
Buying Pre-Mixed Royal Blue Paint
While blending your own royal blue can be rewarding, you can also purchase pre-mixed paint:
- Blue Peacock by Behr – Deep blue with red undertones
- Neptune’s Realm by Valspar – Dark, slightly muted royal blue
- Royal Navy by Sherwin-Williams – Vivid true royal blue
- Midnight Blue by Benjamin Moore – Deeper than royal but close match
Look for paints described as regal, majestic, cobalt, or peacock blue. Always test swatches first to ensure the right tones before committing to a full gallon.
Pre-mixed royal blue spray paints are also available from Rust-Oleum, Krylon, and Montana. Use these for quick DIY touch ups and craft projects.
Ready-Made Royal Blue Dye
For convenience, you can buy pre-made royal blue fabric dye from:
- Rit – Liquid royal blue dye works on all fabrics
- Dylon – Vivid royal blue multipurpose dye
- Tulip – Rich idye poly royal blue for synthetic fabrics
- Jacquard – Royal blue fabric dye sold in small packets
Follow the package instructions closely as methods differ between synthetic versus natural fabric dyes. Heat setting with an iron or under a dryer will make the colors most vivid.
Pre-mixed dyes save the effort of blending colors yourself. But you have less control over the tone.
Buying Royal Blue Decor Items
For home decor projects, consider purchasing ready-made items in royal blue:
| Item | Where to Buy |
|---|---|
| Bedding sets | Amazon, Overstock, Bed Bath & Beyond |
| Table linens | Amazon, Target, World Market |
| Accent pillows | Wayfair, IKEA, Walmart |
| Area rugs | Ruggable, Home Depot, Lowe’s |
| Kitchenware | CB2, Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma |
Royal blue makes a dramatic statement in any room. Use it in moderation though as the bold color can easily overwhelm a space if overdone. Look for accent pieces like pillows, vases, or table lamps to add a touch of regal flair.
Conclusion
Blending a rich royal blue is achievable by combining primary colors. Start with a navy or cobalt blue base, then add small amounts of purple and red dyes, paints, or gels. Adjust the purple to control the subtle undertones and red to reach the desired depth of shade. Ready-mixed paints and dyes can save time but offer less customization. Incorporate this majestic hue sparingly into home decor for an instantly regal look.
