When it comes to color theory, neutralization is an important concept. Neutralization refers to the process of canceling out or muting a color by adding its complementary color. This results in a more neutral, desaturated shade. So what color neutralizes yellow? The answer is purple. On the color wheel, purple is directly opposite yellow, making it yellow’s complementary color. Adding purple to yellow has the effect of neutralizing the bright, vibrant energy of the yellow. In this article, we’ll explore why purple and yellow are complementary colors, how mixing them results in neutralization, and examples of purple tones that can be used to neutralize yellow.
Why Are Purple and Yellow Complementary Colors?
Purple and yellow are considered complementary colors because they are opposite each other on the color wheel. The color wheel arranges colors into a spectrum according to their hue and shows the relationships between them. Complementary colors sit directly across from each other and have contrasting qualities.
Purple contains the primary colors red and blue, while yellow contains the primaries red and green. Colors opposite each other on the wheel mix to form a neutral gray or brown. When placed side-by-side, complementary colors appear more vivid, bright, and heightened. They create high contrast and complement each other when used together.
How Mixing Purple and Yellow Results in Neutralization
Mixing complementary colors together in the right proportions will result in a neutral, muted shade. This is because the pigments cancel each other out. When purple pigment is mixed with yellow pigment, the red wavelengths from the purple mix with the green wavelengths from the yellow. This ends up absorbing a lot of color, resulting in a more neutral beige or gray.
The mixing ratio affects the end result. Mixing pure purple and bright yellow in equal parts will produce a near perfect neutral gray. The more yellow added, the warmer the end result. The more purple added, the cooler the end result. The perfect ratio needed depends on the starting shades of purple and yellow.
Neutralization occurs because the purple cuts through the bright vibrancy of the yellow. The yellow’s exciting, cheerful energy gets toned down and muted by the calming, meditative energy of the purple.
Purple Tones That Neutralize Yellow
Many shades of purple can be used to neutralize yellow. Here are some of the most common and effective options:
Violet: Violet is the pure purple shade on the color wheel and contains equal parts red and blue. Adding violet to yellow results in a clean, neutral gray.
Lilac: Lilac is a pale, soft purple with pink undertones. When mixed with yellow, it will create a warm, creamy neutral tone. The warm pink tones counteract the cooler yellow.
Lavender: With both blue and pink undertones, lavender creates a soothing muted effect against yellow. The blue tones neutralize the yellow vibrancy.
Eggplant: Eggplant purple contains more blue tones for a richer, darker purple. Mixing eggplant with yellow makes for a cooler, near neutral gray.
Periwinkle: Periwinkle is a pale purple with blue undertones. It is softer than violet so neutralizes yellow in a more subtle way.
Orchid: Orchid is a light purple with cool blue undertones. It creates a soft neutral effect against yellow without dulling it completely.
| Purple Tone | Description | Effect on Yellow |
|---|---|---|
| Violet | Pure purple, mix of red and blue | Clean, neutral gray |
| Lilac | Soft pale purple with pink undertones | Warm, creamy neutral |
| Lavender | Blue and pink undertones | Soothing muted neutralization |
| Eggplant | Deep rich purple with blue tones | Cooler neutral gray |
| Periwinkle | Pale purple with blue undertones | Subtle neutralization |
| Orchid | Light purple with blue tones | Soft, subtle neutral effect |
Using Complementary Colors in Design
The concept of using complementary colors to neutralize and enhance one another has many applications in design. Interior designers, graphic designers, web developers, and artists all regularly make use of complementary color schemes.
Complementary colors can provide strong visual contrast and grab attention when used together. At the same time, they also have the power to balance each other out.
Graphic design often pairs orange and cyan blue as energizing, complementary colors. Web design relies on the high contrast of violet and yellow complementary colors to make sure text remains readable.
In interior design, accent walls in yellow bedrooms can be given a more sophisticated, neutral look with the addition of purple decorative pillows, rugs, or wall art. Using different shades and tones of the two colors allows for both vibrancy and balance.
Makeup artists and fashion designers also rely heavily on color theory. Bold yellow clothing and accessories can be styled with purples and lilacs to create an elegant, chic look. Purple eyeshadow and eyeliner helps make yellow eye makeup pop.
Complementary colors allow each hue to stand out while creating a cohesive and pleasing aesthetic overall. The balance of lively yellows with calming purples is the key to making it work.
How Light Affects Color Perception
It’s important to understand that colors can change and shift under different lighting conditions. This can impact how complementary colors are perceived. A yellow that appears bright and zingy in daylight can look much more subdued in dim indoor lighting. Different light sources also bring out different undertones in both yellow and purple hues.
Incandescent bulbs, for example, cast a warm yellow light. Under these conditions, cool yellow tones skew more neutral and soft purples take on a pink hue. Cool fluorescent lights have the opposite effect, emphasizing the blue undertones in purple and making yellow sharp and acidic.
The time of day also impacts color perception. Natural daylight changes throughout the day from cool blue morning light to warm golden evening light. A yellow that vibrates under the midday sun can look perfectly neutral at sunrise and sunset.
In order for complementary colors to properly neutralize each other, the light conditions they are viewed under need to be taken into account. The colors chosen for an interior space should be tested under that space’s lighting. Graphic designers need to see color proofs under multiple light sources to ensure their color schemes work as intended. Make adjustments to compensate for any shifts in perceiving color.
Cultural and Psychological Associations
It’s also worth considering the varying symbolic and psychological associations of the two colors across different cultures. While yellow and purple’s complementary properties remain consistent, what they represent to people can change.
In many Western cultures, yellow conveys cheerfulness, warmth, optimism, and playfulness. It’s a lively attention-grabber. Purple can represent luxury, spirituality, creativity, and nobility. It’s seen as more subtle and mystical. So the pairing achieves balance.
In some Eastern cultures, though, purple is the color of death and mourning. Mixing it with the positive cheer of yellow takes on a very different meaning than just neutralization. And in Mexico, yellow symbolizes death instead while purple signifies mourning.
Psychology also highlights how yellow can increase anxiety and frustration with its overstimulating qualities. Purple is known to have a calming influence and can even inspire creativity. So the balance between excitation and relaxation exists on a deeper level.
These associations are important for designers and artists to keep in mind when using color combinations. While complementary colors may produce visual balance, the meanings conveyed can vary.
Achieving Harmony and Unity
At their core, complementary colors balance each other out. This innate harmony and unity remains consistent even as the shades, tones, cultural meanings, and perceptions shift. When used thoughtfully, the vibrancy of yellow can be reined in with the right purple hue to achieve visual neutralization.
The exciting warmth of the yellow gets tempered by the meditative coolness of purple. Mixing the two colors absorbs wavelengths, tones down intensity, and brings unity. With an endless variety of possible tones and shades, a harmonious bridge can always be found between yellow and purple. Harnessing the power of color’s inherent relationships leads to impactful, meaningful design.
Conclusion
In summary, purple is complementary to yellow on the color wheel, making it yellow’s neutralizing color. When purple pigment is mixed with yellow pigment, the result is a neutralized, desaturated shade. This occurs because the two colors contain contrasting wavelengths that cancel each other out. Shades like violet, lilac, lavender, eggplant, and orchid all make suitable options for neutralizing vibrant yellow tones. Using complementary colors allows designs to achieve visual balance and harmony. But the symbolic and psychological associations of colors should also be considered based on context and culture. When thoughtfully implemented, combining lively yellows with calming purples can create neutralization and unity.
