Dark blue is a deep, rich shade of blue that has pigment added to make it darker than basic blue. Pastels are pale, soft, light colors made by adding white pigment to pure hues. So at first glance, dark blue would not seem to qualify as a pastel since it has pigment added to make it darker rather than lighter. However, there are some considerations around whether dark blue can be considered a pastel in certain contexts. Let’s explore this question further.
Defining Pastels
Pastels are colors that are pale, soft, and light. They are created by adding white pigment to pure hues to tint them down into paler shades. Some key characteristics of pastels:
– They have a soft, muted appearance from the addition of white pigment.
– They are low in saturation and brightness compared to the pure hue.
– Common pastel shades include light pink, lavender, mint, peach, baby blue.
– Traditional pastels used in art are pure pigments mixed with chalk or another neutral binder. The high concentration of pigment allows the colors to be very bright even when tinted down.
So in most cases, deep or bold shades like dark blue would not be considered pastels. However, there are some exceptions.
Dark Blue as a Relative Pastel
While dark blue on its own is not a pastel, it can take on some pastel-like qualities in certain contexts. Here are some examples where dark blue may exhibit pastel characteristics:
In a Palette with Darker Shades
If a color palette contains very deep, saturated shades, then a medium blue with some white added may read as “pastel” relative to the other colors. The lighter tinting makes it softer and brighter than the darker shades in the palette. So dark blue can be the “pastel” version of a more saturated blue within that context.
Matte Finish
Pastels often have a matte, chalky finish rather than a shiny or metallic one. A dark blue with a flat matte finish can read as more pastel than a richer, glossy dark blue. The matte quality gives it a softer, subtler look.
In Comparison to Bright Blues
When placed alongside very saturated, bright blues, a dark blue with some white pigment added can read as “pastel” in comparison. For example, a navy blue may seem pastel-like next to a pure Klein blue.
In Low Light Conditions
In dim lighting, a darker blue may read as more of a pastel since the lower light conditions mute its intensity. The darker color gets tinted down naturally.
Using “Pastel Dark Blue” When Naming Colors
Some manufacturers may describe colors like “pastel dark blue” when naming specific shades. This indicates that:
– It is darker than a light pastel blue.
– But it is not as saturated as a pure dark blue.
– It has enough white pigment to soften it from an intense dark blue to a subtler, pale blue-based shade.
This helps give a sense of the depth and intensity of that particular “pastel” dark blue within the color selection. The word pastel indicates it is not completely bold and saturated.
Pastel Dark Blues in Decor and Fashion
Calling a shade “pastel dark blue” can also be used in home decor, fashion, and product descriptions. For example:
– A piece of pottery glazed in a muted navy blue may be described as “pastel dark blue.”
– A soft, pale blue scarf with hints of darker blue threads could be called “pastel dark blue.”
– House paint mixed at the store to achieve a grayish navy blue may be given a “pastel dark blue” label.
This gives consumers a better sense of the subtle, toned-down nature of the particular dark blue shade, rather than thinking of it as a very bold, intense navy.
Are There Specific Qualifications?
There are no strict objective qualifications that a color must meet to be considered a “pastel dark blue.” Since pastels are inherently pale and soft, calling a darker shade a pastel is subjective. But in general, for a dark blue to be described as a pastel, it often has:
– Enough white, gray, or other light pigment to soften the darkness and intensity.
– A muted, subtler appearance than a pure, saturated dark blue.
– A context within a color palette or selection where it reads as “light” or “soft” relative to the other shades.
So while dark blue is not intrinsically a pastel, soft, pale, muted dark blues can take on enough pastel-like qualities to earn the “pastel” designation in some cases. It’s subjective, but follows the general principle of tinting down a bold color into a subtler, lighter version.
Examples of Pastel Dark Blues
Here are some specific colors that are often considered “pastel” versions of darker blues:
Cadet Blue
A grayish, muted blue with hints of navy. It has enough white/gray mixed in to soften the darkness.
Periwinkle
A pale purplish-blue with lavender undertones. The lavender gray tint makes this darker blue read as a pastel.
Powder Blue
Has both gray and blue undertones mixed to mute the intensity of a bold blue. The “powder” description evokes a soft pastel look.
Ice Blue
Crisp, cool blue with lots of white added to tint it down. Described as an “icy” pastelized version of a bolder blue.
Pale Blue
Can be a light tint of any darker blue that retains subtle blue undertones but mutes them considerably with white/pale pigment.
Pastel vs. Dark Blue Comparison
Here is a quick visual comparison between a typical pastel blue and a dark blue:
| Pastel Blue | Dark Blue |
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While dark blue is distinctly deeper and more saturated than a true pastel, in the right context and with enough tinting, it can take on some soft, pale pastel qualities. But a pure dark blue without lightening would generally not be considered a pastel.
Conclusion
In most cases, dark blue does not inherently qualify as a pastel shade. True pastels are highly tinted with white/pale pigment to soften them into light, muted versions of the pure hue. However, some varieties of dark blue with enough gray, lavender, or blue-gray added to subdue the intensity can take on enough pastel-like characteristics that the “pastel” descriptor makes sense in certain contexts and color palettes, especially when comparing the darkened shade against even deeper or brighter blues. So while not objectively a type of pastel, dark blues may subjectively take on a soft, pastel-esque appearance depending on the circumstances. Ultimately it comes down to the specific qualities of the shade described and its relation to surrounding colors.
