Black is a complex color with many different shades and tones. When people think of the color black, they often imagine a solid, dark black. However, there are actually many variations of the color black, ranging from off-blacks to greys with black undertones. The exact shade of a black color depends on how much black pigment it contains compared to other colors. By adding white, grey, or other colors to a pure black, various shades of black can be created.
The Color Spectrum of Black
Pure black contains no traces of any other colors. It absorbs all wavelengths of visible light and reflects none back to the eye, creating the deepest, darkest black possible. This true black is often called “jet black.” While jet black can seem flat, other shades of black contain hints of color that add dimension.
| Shade of Black | Description |
|---|---|
| Jet Black | The truest black with no reflections of light. Used for things like tires and mascara. |
| Ebony | Slightly warmer black with a tiny hint of brown. Used for pianos and fashion. |
| Charcoal | Neutral greyish black, like the charred wood. Used in art and clothing. |
| Onyx | Deep, cool black with a subtle blue tone. Used in jewelry. |
| Raven | Slightly lighter black with a very subtle purple-blue reflectance. |
The warm shades of black have subtle red, brown, or orange undertones, while the cool shades reflect hints of blue, purple, or green. Most blacks contain a blend of warm and cool undertones.
Warm Shades of Black
Warm shades of black lean towards browns and reds on the color spectrum. They often have earthy, rustic, or vintage looks.
Ebony – Ebony is a very dark, warm black that gets its name from the deep black wood of the same name. It has just a tiny hint of brown in its undertones. Ebony black has a classic, refined look.
Oxblood – Oxblood black contains subtle rusty red undertones, like the dark color of dried blood. It creates a deep reddish-black shade.
Espresso – With distinct brown undertones, espresso black mimics the rich dark brown of a shot of espresso. It has a modern yet natural look.
Wenge – Named after the tropical African wood, wenge black has brownish-grey undertones. It’s slightly desaturated but still bold.
Coffee – Like its namesake, coffee black has warm, burnt orange undertones like black coffee. It’s a rich, inviting shade of black.
Cool Shades of Black
Cool shades of black have blue, green, or purple reflects. They create chic, modern looks with hints of jewel tones.
Onyx – Onyx is a sophisticated black with subtle cool, blue undertones. Its color mimics the smooth black stone onyx.
Raven – Raven black has hints of purple-blue for a mysterious look, like the plumage of a raven bird. It’s slightly lighter than a true black.
Licorice – With subtle hints of green and blue, licorice black mimics the cool black color of licorice candy.
Galaxy – Galaxy black reflects shimmers of blue, violet, and teal like the night sky. It has an out-of-this-world look.
Smoke – Smoke black is a hazy, bluish-grey black like billows of smoke. It makes an elegant, smokey statement.
Neutral Shades of Black
Some shades of black sit between warm and cool tones. These neutral blacks work in any setting from fashion to home decor.
Charcoal – Charcoal is a greyish-black with muted warm and cool undertones like charred wood. It’s versatile and classic.
Slate – Slate mimics the stone in a neutral black-grey tone. It’s simple yet bold.
Oil – With an ashy black color like crude oil, oil black has a grungy, industrial vibe.
Caviar – Caviar black is a deep grey-black, like fish eggs. It’s sleek and sophisticated.
Pencil – Named for pencil lead, it has a muted, softer black-grey look. It’s unassuming and flexible.
How Lighting Affects Black
The lighting around a black shade dramatically impacts how we perceive its tone and depth. Direct sunlight makes blacks lighter with more reflective color. Indirect light deepens and saturates blacks.
Cool white fluorescent or LED lights drain color from black, pushing it towards a flat grey-black. Warm incandescent lights enhance subtle undertones in black. Candlelight casts black in warm, golden undertones.
Passing black through a prism reveals its hidden spectrum of undertones. Backlit black shows hints of color not visible looking directly at it. The way light interacts with black is complex and continually changing.
Using Shades of Black in Design
In design, black makes a bold, dramatic statement. Different shades of black offer unique personalities:
Jet Black – Jet black creates an extremely powerful, authoritative look. Its depth makes a strong visual impact.
Charcoal Black – The muted grey in charcoal black gives it a softer, more neutral effect than jet black. It works well as a background color.
Ebony Black – Ebony’s subtle warm undertones add a sense of classic luxury to design. It feels polished yet natural.
Onyx Black – Onyx black feels urbane and chic. It contrasts well with bright whites for a bold graphic look.
Raven Black – With its touch of purple, raven black adds dark mystery to a design. It feels slightly eccentric and artistic.
Pairing Colors with Black
Black’s versatility allows it to work with any color scheme. Lighter tints of color pop against black backgrounds. Saturated brights like red, yellow and pink electrify black. Pastels take on a romantic, ethereal look.
Whites glow against jet black, creating a sharp high-contrast effect. Cool shades like blues and greens underline black’s elegance and depth. Warm shades emphasize the subtleness in ebony, coffee, and oxblood blacks. Metallic sheens and neon effects intensify black’s boldness.
| Shade of Black | Complimentary Color Palettes |
|---|---|
| Jet Black | Bright red, hot pink, electric blue |
| Charcoal | Forest green, navy blue, pale yellow |
| Ebony | Ivory, cream, terra cotta, rust orange |
| Onyx | Pearlescent white, robin’s egg blue, silver |
| Raven | Pastel purple, violet, soft grey |
Black sets the tone for any color scheme applied to it. The shade of black chosen impacts the overall mood and style of a design.
Shades of Black Pigments
For artists, choosing the right black pigment is critical to capturing a desired effect. Paint, ink, dye and other media use different black pigments. Common black pigments include:
Ivory Black – Made from burnt ivory, ivory black offers a warm, brownish black. It dries with a matte velvet finish.
Lamp Black – Lamp black is made by burning vegetable oil. It produces a neutral greyish black with bluer undertones.
Mars Black – Created from iron oxide, Mars black has a cool bluish tint and is very opaque. However, it can fade over time.
Bone Black – This black made from burnt bones has a warm, brownish undertone. It’s deep and opaque but can also fade.
Vine Black – Vine black from burnt vines offers a faded, bluish black. It was a common pigment in Renaissance oil paintings.
The undertones in black pigments interact with other colors when blended or layered. A warm Mars black will create very different greys than a cool ivory black. Mastering black pigments gives artists flexibility in mixing rich blacks of all shades.
Psychology of Black Colors
Black has strong psychological associations, both positive and negative. It is linked to power, strength and authority. The color black can portray elegance, mystery, and the unknown. But black can also represent evil, death, and menace.
Shades of black evoke slightly different meanings:
Jet Black – Jet black elicits a sense of the absolute. It feels powerful, timeless and consummate. But it can also intimidate or give an overwhelming sense of finality.
Charcoal Black – Charcoal black is approachable and friendly while still sophisticated. Its muted tone feels settled and mature.
Ebony Black – Ebony’s richness has an uplifting effect. It reads as warm, welcoming and open, with a touch of the distinguished.
Onyx Black – The hint of blue in onyx black gives it a cooling, calming effect. It feels thoughtful, introspective and insightful.
Raven Black – Raven black provokes mystery and exploration. Its purple shimmer suggests creativity bursting from the shadows.
This range of associations allows shades of black to convey diverse moods in branding, graphic design, fashion and decor. Choosing a black is about balancing its depth with its desired emotion and energy.
Conclusion
Black assumes many subtle shades beyond pitch black. Warm blacks like ebony, coffee and oxblood suggest nature’s palette with earthy tones. Cool onyx, raven and galaxy blacks nod to twilight’s magic hour. Rich, neutral charcoals and slates provide classic versatility. With its myriad shades, black adapts to convey any style or mood.
From its velvety depth to its colorful hints, the complexity of black offers artists and designers an endless spectrum to explore. Just like a midnight sky, shades of black contain myriad worlds swirling beneath a dark veneer, waiting to be revealed.
