What is Sea Green?
Sea Green is a soft, muted shade of green that resembles the color of the ocean. It sits between mint green and teal on the color spectrum. Sea Green got its name because it closely resembles the various shades of green and blue found in seawater. It can range from a grayish muted green to a soft green-blue. Some people may also refer to it as aqua green.
Defining Pastel Colors
Pastels are a range of pale, light, muted colors. Technically speaking, pastel colors are achieved when a pure hue is mixed with white to tint it down into a softer, paler version of the color. The more white that is added, the paler and softer the pastel shade becomes.
Some key defining features of pastel colors:
| – Very low saturation or intensity of color |
| – High ratio of white mixed into the hue |
| – Soft, muted, pale colors |
| – Often appear ‘chalky’ rather than bold |
The term pastel refers to both the pale tints themselves and also the chalk sticks used to produce pastel artwork. Pastel colors first became popular in the mid-18th century and experienced a revival in the 19th century.
Is Sea Green Considered a Pastel?
Yes, Sea Green can be classified as a pastel shade. It fits the criteria of a pale, soft, muted color with low saturation. The grayish-green hue is created by mixing a small amount of green pigment with a lot of white pigment to soften and lighten the color. It lacks the vividness of an emerald green or the boldness of a true teal. This muting and softness are key traits of pastel colors.
Sea Green sits comfortably alongside other pastel shades like lavender, baby blue, mint, peach, and ivory. When imagining pastels, Sea Green is likely one of the classic examples that comes to mind. It captures the essence of soft elegance that pastels are known for, without being quite as pale as the lightest pastel tints.
Comparing Sea Green to Other Pastel Greens
While Sea Green is widely considered a quintessential pastel shade, there are a few other pastel greens it can be compared to:
| Pastel Green | Characteristics |
| Mint green | Very pale green with more grayness. Similar to the mint plant. |
| Pistachio green | Very pale green with slight yellow undertones. |
| Sea Green | Soft grayish-green resembling ocean colors. |
| Aqua green | Blue-green with stronger blue undertones than sea green. |
| Camouflage green | Muted green with more yellowness and brownness. |
As shown, Sea Green is distinctly muted without appearing nearly as pale as a true mint green. It lacks the dominant blue tones of aqua green and the earthiness of camouflage green. The trademark soft, grayish-green tone of Sea Green sits right in the middle of the spectrum of pastel greens.
How Does Sea Green Differ from Teal?
At first glance, Sea Green may be easily mistaken for teal. Both colors occupy a similar blue-green territory on the color wheel. However, upon closer inspection, some key differences emerge:
| Sea Green | Teal |
| – Muted and grayish | – Vivid and bright |
| – More green than blue | – Blue-green with strong blue tones |
| – Low saturation pastel color | – Higher saturation jewel tone |
| – Resembles natural ocean colors | – More artificial-looking |
While teal can sometimes be pale enough to be pastel, its inherent vividness means it generally lacks the softness and muting that defines Sea Green. So while they occupy a similar space, the pastel nature of Sea Green compared to the jewel-tone nature of teal sets them apart.
Key Characteristics of Sea Green
To summarize, here are the key identifying characteristics of the pastel color Sea Green:
| – Soft, muted grayish-green tone |
| – Distinctly low saturation and high tint |
| – Sits between mint green and teal on the color wheel |
| – No strong yellow or blue undertones |
| – Resembles natural shades of ocean water |
| – Quintessential pastel shade, but not extremely pale |
Using Sea Green in Design
Some ways Sea Green can be effectively used in design:
| – Airy, relaxed color palette for spa or wellness designs |
| – Part of beachy color schemes evoking ocean themes |
| – Nursery & baby products |
| – Wedding designs, bridal showers |
| – Easter color schemes |
| – Vintage product packaging |
Sea Green has a soothing, relaxed effect associated with nature, water, and renewal. It works in color schemes aiming to create a calm, uplifting ambiance. Combined with other pastels like lavender and peach, Sea Green can create a charming, feminine aesthetic.
Conclusion
In summary, yes, the soft muted green shade known as Sea Green does qualify as a pastel color. It exhibits the low saturation, high tint, and inherently soft look that defines the pastel color category. Sea Green is one of the quintessential pastel shades, sitting comfortably alongside the other popular pastels. With its grayish ocean-evoking tones, Sea Green captures the essence of understated elegance and freshness that pastels embody. It is a versatile color that works wonderfully in nature-inspired, feminine, and vintage designs. Sea Green’s soft yet lively aura cement its status as a true pastel color.