When it comes to color theory, contrast is an important concept. Contrast refers to how colors interact with and relate to each other when placed side by side. Some colors have high contrast, meaning they create a striking visual effect. Other color combinations have low contrast and don’t stand out as much. Understanding color contrast is key for designers, artists, and anyone looking to create eye-catching color schemes.
In this article, we’ll focus specifically on colors that contrast well with shades of blue and purple. Blue and purple are cool, calming colors that are widely used in designs. However, they can sometimes look dull or fade into the background if not paired with the right contrasting shades. We’ll look at the color wheel theory behind complementary colors, go over the best color contrasts, and provide visual examples of blue and purple color schemes.
Color Wheel Basics
To understand contrasting colors, it helps to reference a color wheel. The traditional color wheel consists of 12 main hues – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and more. Colors that are opposite each other on the wheel are considered complementary colors. They create maximum contrast and reinforce each other when used together.
For example, blue and orange are complements, so they would have very high contrast when combined. Green and red are also strong complements. Colors adjacent to each other on the wheel, such as blue and purple, have lower contrast. But they can still look vibrant together.
Best Color Contrasts for Blue
Blue’s complementary color on the wheel is orange. This means all different shades of blue complement all shades of orange and create high contrast. Bright orange pops brightly against light or navy blue. Soft muted oranges can elegantly contrast pale blue. Other shades like peach and coral will also contrast blue nicely.
In addition to orange, blue contrasts well with:
– Warm metallics like gold, brass, and copper
– Neutrals like white, black, gray
– Shades of brown and beige
– Bright pinks and reds
Cool blues tend to recede visually, so pairing them with warm shades makes them stand out more. For high contrast, brighter and bolder warm hues work best. Soft muted warm tones offer subtler contrast.
| Blue Shades | Contrasting Colors |
|---|---|
| Navy blue | Bright orange, gold, white, red |
| Royal blue | Orange, peach, pink, black |
| Light blue | Coral, yellow, chartreuse |
Best Color Contrasts for Purple
On the color wheel, purple’s complementary shade is yellow. Yellow creates very high contrast against rich purple shades. Soft buttery yellows nicely offset pale lilacs or lavenders. Other good color contrasts for purple include:
– Warm greens like chartreuse, sage
– Bright oranges and peach
– Mustard yellow and gold
– Teal blues and turquoise
Like blue, purple is a cool receding color. Combining it with warm advancing shades makes it stand out more. Bright warm colors give high contrast, while muted warmer tones offer lower contrast.
| Purple Shades | Contrasting Colors |
|---|---|
| Eggplant purple | Bright yellow, chartreuse, orange |
| Lavender | Buttery yellow, peach, periwinkle |
| Plum | Spring green, salmon, soft white |
Visual Examples of Blue & Purple Color Contrasts
Now that we’ve covered the theory behind complementary colors and the best shades to contrast blue and purple, let’s look at some real world examples:
Navy Blue & Orange
Navy blue has a bold commanding presence. Pairing it with vibrant orange creates an energizing high-contrast color scheme. The navy blue recedes slightly, while the orange pops forward. This color combo looks clean and contemporary. It’s ideal for modern graphic design.
Royal Blue & Peach
Royal blue has a regal elegant vibe. Combining it with warm peach tones creates a more approachable softer contrast. This color scheme has a comforting nostalgic feel perfect for vintage design. The blue stands out while the peach adds warmth.
Pale Blue & Daffodil Yellow
Pale powdery blue can look washed out on its own. But it shines when combined with cheery daffodil yellow. The yellow packs the contrast needed to make the blue pop. Together they create a soft ethereal spring-like palette.
Eggplant Purple & Chartreuse
Eggplant purple has a sophisticated moody character. Pairing it with vibrant chartreuse green creates an unexpected color scheme with very high contrast. The bold lush chartreuse makes the purple jump forward, creating visual excitement.
Lavender & Butter Yellow
Soft muted lavender purple pairs beautifully with warm buttery yellow tones. The lavender feels more lively and the yellow more mellow, creating a serene harmonious balance. This color combo evokes sunny spring days.
Plum & Mint Green
Rich plum purple has a jewel-toned vibe. Combining it with crisp mint green results in a fresh modern color scheme with medium contrast. The mint accentuates the richness of the plum, bringing out its vivid saturation.
Using Multiple Contrasting Colors
When creating a color scheme, you can use multiple contrasting colors together for added visual interest. Just follow basic color theory principles to ensure colors complement each other.
Here are some examples of blue and purple color schemes with multiple contrasts:
– Navy blue, bright yellow, white, gray
– Light blue, coral, olive green, gold
– Lavender, butter yellow, rose pink, sage green
– Royal blue, burnt orange, teal, bright white
Mixing complementary shades from the color wheel along with various tints and shades creates vibrant multi-color schemes. Always balance highly saturated intense colors with muted neutral tones.
Conclusion
Understanding color contrast gives you the power to make any color scheme shine. Blue and purple may start to look dull or fade into the background on their own. But pair them with orange, yellow, pink and other warm contrasting colors, and they become bold and vibrant.
Reference the color wheel as a guide, but don’t be afraid to experiment with unexpected combinations too. Contrasting tones allow each individual color to stand out more. The same shade can look completely different depending on the colors around it. Use this knowledge to make colors work for your design goals, whether it’s a bold eye-catching look or a more subtle elegant vibe.
