Mixing colors can result in some interesting and unexpected outcomes. When it comes to mixing the colors green and purple, the resulting color can vary depending on the shades and ratios used. Green and purple sit opposite one another on the color wheel, meaning they complement each other when combined. But the specific shades of green and purple you choose will impact the end result. Let’s explore what happens when you mix different shades of green and purple.
Mixing Green and Purple Paint
If you’re working with paints, mixing green and purple will result in a dark, muted shade. The more green you add, the duller and grayer the end result will be. The more purple used, the deeper the tone. Some examples:
– Mixing emerald green and royal purple creates a very dark gray with hints of brown.
– Lime green and lilac purple makes a pale olive green.
– Forest green and eggplant purple results in a deep plummy color.
– Sea green and lavender makes a soft sage green.
The intensity of the starting shades also matters. Mixing a light green and light purple gives you a soft, subdued blue-gray. Using a vivid green and vivid purple makes muddy browns or slate grays.
Mixing Green and Purple Light
When it comes to mixing colored light, such as with stage lighting or pixels on a screen, the effect is different than with paints. Adding green and purple light together produces a light blue color.
On a typical RGB color wheel used for mixing light, the secondary color between green and purple is blue. So combining the two primary colors results in that secondary blue.
Some examples of mixing green and purple light:
– Lime green and lavender lights make a bright sky blue.
– Forest green and eggplant purple makes a deeper sapphire blue.
– Sea green and lilac lights produce a blue-green aqua color.
The exact shade of blue depends on the green and purple used. Lighter greens and purples mix to pastel blues. Darker shades make deeper cobalt hues. Adjusting the intensity of each color affects the saturation of the end result.
Mixing Green and Purple Pigments
When mixing pigmented media like paints, inks, dyes, or colorants, the blending of green and purple depends on the type of pigments used.
Mixing a green with blue undertones, like phthalo or viridian green, with a red-purple pigment like quinacridone magenta will make deep grays and browns. The blue and red cancelling out results in a neutral.
Combining a green with yellow undertones, such as cadmium green, with the same red-purple will make olive and khaki colors. The yellow and red combine to create a earthy tone.
A green with blue undertones mixed with a purple biased towards blue, like ultramarine violet, will create dark slate blues and blue-greys.
A yellow-based green pigment with a red-biased purple, like alizarin crimson, makes mustard browns.
| Green Pigment | Purple Pigment | Resulting Color |
|---|---|---|
| Phthalo green | Quinacridone magenta | Deep gray |
| Cadmium green | Quinacridone magenta | Olive green |
| Phthalo green | Ultramarine violet | Blue-gray |
| Cadmium green | Alizarin crimson | Mustard brown |
The ratios used will also influence the mixed shade. Adding more green mutes the purple, while extra purple intensifies the result.
Mixing Green and Purple Dyes
Blending green and purple dyes, such as for fabric coloration, also generates a range of tones depending on the dyes selected. Combining a green dye biased towards blue and a purple dye biased towards red makes a gray or brown hue. Mixing a green dye with yellow tones with a purple more blue-based makes an olive green.
When dyeing fabric, keep in mind the base color of the material also impacts the end result. Dyeing a yellow fabric with green and purple could stay close to the original hue. Dyeing a blue fabric would shift the color towards blue-green or blue-purple tones. The intensity of the dyes changes the saturation of the mixed color.
Mixing Green and Purple Icing
For cake decorators and candy makers using food coloring gels or pastes, blending shades of green and purple makes ideal colors for decorating.
Mixing a leafy green gel color with a grape purple produces deep plummy chocolate browns. Combining a mint green with a lilac purple makes a soft sage green. The intensity of the food gels and the proportions used will affect the final shade.
Here are some examples of mixing green and purple icing colors:
| Green Food Gel | Purple Food Gel | Resulting Icing Color |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf green | Grape purple | Chocolate brown |
| Avocado green | Orchid purple | Dusty lavender |
| Mint green | Lilac purple | Sage green |
Adjusting the amounts of each color gives you different hues ideal for icing, frosting, candy, and more.
Mixing Green and Purple on Screen
When it comes to digital design and mixing colors on screen, green and purple make bright, vibrant shades. This is because RGB screens use the additive color model, mixing colored light.
Combining greens and purples on a computer display produces shades of blue, from light sky blue to deep indigo depending on the colors used. The complementary green and purple accent each other when used together.
Some examples of mixing green and purple for digital design:
– Lime green and pale purple make a bright cyan tone.
– Forest green and lilac create a clear azure blue.
– Sea green and grape purple result in an intense violet shade.
– Avocado green and orchid purple produce a soft periwinkle blue.
The RGB values can be adjusted to make lighter tints or deeper shades as needed. Changing the opacity affects the vividness of the mixed color.
Why Greene and Purple Make Great Color Combinations
So why are green and purple commonly combined in design and art? While they can create muddy browns and grays when blended, they look stunning when used together without mixing.
Green and purple complement each other well because they sit opposite each other on the traditional 12-part color wheel. This makes them striking accent colors.
Green evokes feelings of health, renewal and freshness. Purple is associated with luxury, creativity and magic. Combining the two adds visual interest, depth and contrast.
Some examples of green and purple color combinations:
– Pale greens and lavenders for a soft, pastel look
– Vivid lime green and deep purple for an eye-catching, vibrant palette
– Sage greens and lilac purples for an elegant, subtle pairing
– Mint green and plum purple for a fun, playful combination
The colors can be styled in gradient shifts, color blocking, or used as graphic accents. Green and purple always livens up any design!
Conclusion
When exploring what you get when you mix green and purple, the resulting shade depends greatly on the hues and mediums used. Paints, dyes, and pigments blend to make dark grays, browns and olive greens. Light mixes to blues, while digital screens output striking violets and cyans.
While combining them can muddy both colors, green and purple function beautifully as complements. They provide pleasing contrast and vibrancy when used together without mixing.
So don’t be afraid to experiment with pairing greens and purples in your next design, project or palette! Just be mindful of the tones and ratios selected. With the right shades, you can achieve elegance, energy and creativity.
