Crayola crayons come in a wide variety of colors, but blue is one of the most popular and versatile shades. From light sky blues to deep navy tones, Crayola offers many different blue crayon colors for artists and coloring enthusiasts. But exactly how many shades of blue are available in the Crayola lineup? Let’s take a closer look at the different blue crayon options to get the full count.
Overview of Crayola Blue Crayons
Crayola first started producing crayons in 1903, beginning with just 8 basic colors including blue. Over the years, the company has continued expanding its color palette, now offering 120 unique crayon shades as of 2023. Blues make up a significant portion of the Crayola crayon color family.
There are three main categories of blue crayons:primary blues, secondary blues, and tertiary blues. Primary blue contains just one major shade, while secondary blues are created by mixing primary colors and tertiary blues are made by blending secondary shades. Within each category are numerous specific color variations ranging from the lightest sky blue to the deepest navy.
Primary Blue Crayons
The primary blue crayon color in the Crayola lineup is called Blue. This bright, medium-toned blue is one of the original Crayola crayon colors debuting in 1903. It serves as the foundation for creating other shades of blue when mixed with yellows, reds, blacks, and whites.
Over the years, Crayola has renamed or reformulated the primary Blue crayon color but it remains a staple shade. As of 2023, there is just one primary blue crayon offered by Crayola.
Secondary Blue Crayons
When the primary blue crayon is blended with other primary colors, it produces new secondary shades of blue. Crayola has incorporated several secondary blue crayon colors into its lineup over the years. Here are the current secondary blue crayon offerings as of 2023:
| Crayon Name | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Green Blue | #006983 |
| Cerulean | #02A4D3 |
| Denim | #1560BD |
| Blue Green | #009678 |
| Cadet Blue | #A9B2C3 |
As the color names indicate, these are blues toned with hints of green, grey, or blue-violet. There are 5 secondary blue crayon shades offered by Crayola as of 2023.
Tertiary Blue Crayons
Tertiary colors are created by combining secondary shades together. Crayola’s wide selection of unique tertiary blues shows how many subtle variations can be achieved. Here is the full list of tertiary blues available as of 2023:
| Crayon Name | Hex Code |
|---|---|
| Periwinkle | #C5D0E6 |
| Blizzard Blue | #ACE5EE |
| Cornflower | #93CCEA |
| Blue Bell | #A2A2D0 |
| Pacific Blue | #1CA9C9 |
| Midnight Blue | #003366 |
| Navy Blue | #1974D2 |
| Blue Violet | #6456B7 |
| Wild Blue Yonder | #7A89B8 |
| Indigo | #4F69C6 |
| Manatee | #8D90A1 |
| Denim Dazzle | #2F5972 |
From the pale periwinkle to deep indigo, these blues showcase the pigment possibilities. Crayola offers 13 unique tertiary blue crayon colors as of 2023.
Specialty and Discontinued Blues
In addition to the primary, secondary, and tertiary blue crayon selections, Crayola has also offered some unique specialty and discontinued blue shades over the years. These include:
- Robin’s Egg Blue – A light sky blue retired in 1990
- Outer Space – A deep navy cosmic blue from 1998
- Tropical Rain Forest – A bright teal blue from the Magic Scent specialty line
- Mountain Meadow – A light periwinkle blue, retired in 2003
- Blue Ribbon – A patriotic blue from the State Crayon collection
While not currently available, these specialty blues brought even more shades to the Crayola lineup for a time.
Total Number of Blue Crayons
Adding up all the blue crayon varieties covered, here is the total count as of 2023:
| Category | Number of Shades |
|---|---|
| Primary Blues | 1 |
| Secondary Blues | 5 |
| Tertiary Blues | 13 |
| Specialty/Retired Blues | 5 |
| Total | 24 |
In summary, as of 2023 there are 24 shades of blue available or formerly available from Crayola. This includes 1 primary blue, 5 secondary blues, 13 tertiary blues, and 5 retired or specialty blues. The wide range covers every hue from sky blue to navy.
Most Popular Blues
While Crayola offers many shades of blue, a few stand out as most popular and iconic:
- Blue – The bright primary blue is a classic color loved by kids and adults alike.
- Navy Blue – This deep rich blue is essential for coloring night skies, uniforms, and more.
- Sky Blue – A light cyan blue popular for sunny skies and cartoon characters.
- Periwinkle – A soft light blue with a hint of purple made popular by trendy brands.
These four blues appear frequently in Crayola’s color palettes and coloring books. While personal preferences vary, these remain go-to shades for all ages.
Using Crayola Blues
Crayola’s broad selection of blues allows artists to mix the perfect shades for their creations. Here are some tips for getting the most out of Crayola blue crayons:
- Blend blue with yellow to make natural greens for landscapes
- Add white to lighten up blues for sunny sky effects
- Pair navy blue with orange or yellow for bold contrast
- Mix blue with red and white to create patriotic hues
- Use light blues to color water, rain, or magical effects
- Choose darker blues for night skies, technology, or mechanical effects
With so many options, the artistic possibilities with Crayola blues are endless! Experimenting with blending and shading unlocks new color combinations.
Conclusion
Crayola offers an impressive 24 different blue crayon shades as of 2023. This includes primary, secondary, and tertiary blues in every hue imaginable. Classic bright blues, navy tones, light sky blues, and deep midnight hues provide something for every coloring project. While new specialty colors come and go, Crayola’s blue selection continues growing. The varied palette allows artists to get creative, blending these blues to produce any imaginable shade.
