Mixing colors can result in some interesting and unexpected outcomes. When you combine the colors blue and orange, the resulting secondary color depends on the shades and ratios used. Understanding color theory and the color wheel provides insight into how these colors interact to form new hues.
The Basics of Mixing Blue and Orange
On the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color wheel, blue and orange are complementary colors, meaning they are directly opposite each other. When mixed together in equal parts, complementary colors cancel each other out and produce a neutral gray or brown. However, by varying the proportions of blue and orange, you can create different shades of brown or achieve a dominant blue or orange hue.
Blue is a primary color in both the RYB and RGB (red, green, blue) color systems. In print and paint, cyan pigments are used to create blue. On a computer screen, blue light is emitted to produce the color. Orange is a secondary color made by combining the primary colors red and yellow. In print, orange paint contains a mixture of red and yellow pigments. On a digital display, orange is made by lighting up red and green pixels.
Mixing Blue and Orange Paint
When blending blue and orange paint, the resulting color depends on the exact pigments used. Mixing a warm orange paint made with cadmium red and yellow ochre with a cool blue like ultramarine will make a neutral brown. Using a bright orange like cadmium orange with a vivid phthalo blue yields a dark mustard brown.
Adding a small amount of orange paint to blue produces a blue-green teal color. Mixing a subtle amount of blue into orange makes a yellow-orange hue. Uneven mixing can result in a mottled paint blend with speckles of both colors visible.
Examples
| Blue Paint | Orange Paint | Resulting Color |
|---|---|---|
| Ultramarine blue | Cadmium orange | Dark mustard brown |
| Phthalo blue | Yellow ochre | Muted brown |
| Cobalt blue | Red ochre | Muddied russet orange |
Mixing Blue and Orange Light
When working with light instead of pigments, combining blue and orange wavelengths of light results in different colors. This is based on the additive color system used for light, versus the subtractive system for mixing paints.
Mixing blue and orange light removes those wavelengths while preserving the remaining ones. This yields a yellow-green color, since blue light mixed with orange cancels out blue while passing the yellow wavelengths. Other hues are achieved by using different proportions.
On a computer or TV screen, mixing light is additive. Red, green, and blue light combine to create all the possible colors. Mixing max red and max green light makes yellow. Mixing max green and max blue makes cyan (blue-green). Mixing max red and max blue produces magenta.
Examples
| Blue Wavelength | Orange Wavelength | Resulting Color |
|---|---|---|
| 470 nm | 590 nm | Yellow-green |
| 450 nm | 610 nm | Yellow |
| 490 nm | 580 nm | Lime green |
Digital Mixing of Blue and Orange
On digital editing software like Photoshop, colors are mixed using the RGB additive system. This means blending orange and blue makes a different result than mixing paints.
Mixing pure orange (#FFA500) and pure blue (#0000FF) on a computer produces a lime green color (#A2FF00). Adjusting the ratios results in different shades of green, yellow, or cyan. Uneven mixing yields Patchy discolorations of blue, orange, and green pixels.
Computer screens display color using variable combinations of red, green, and blue light. Mixing orange and blue RGB values removes some red and blue while preserving green. The screen lights up more green pixels to show the blended color.
Examples
| Blue RGB | Orange RGB | Resulting Color |
|---|---|---|
| R:0 G:0 B:255 | R:255 G:165 B:0 | R:102 G:255 B:0 |
| R:30 G:144 B:255 | R:255 G:140 B:0 | R:212 G:255 B:50 |
| R:65 G:105 B:225 | R:245 G:130 B:32 | R:190 G:200 B:70 |
The Psychology of Blue and Orange
Blue and orange are bold, high-contrast colors with a strong visual impact. This color combination elicits both physiological and psychological effects for the viewer.
Blue has a calming, tranquilizing effect. It evokes feelings of trust, loyalty, wisdom, and confidence. However, too much blue can come across as cold or depressing. Orange conveys warmth, cheerfulness, enthusiasm, and vibrancy. But excessive orange can feel overwhelming or abrasive.
Balancing blue and orange offers contrast while tempering their intensity. Blue tones down the orange while orange energizes the blue. This makes blue and orange a versatile pairing for grabbing attention without feeling too loud.
Uses of Blue and Orange
Here are some examples of how blue and orange are used together for visual impact:
- Movie posters and book covers often use blue and orange complementarity to make the titles stand out.
- Product packaging combines blue and orange for eye-catching displays.
- Graphic designers integrate blue and orange in websites, logos, advertisements.
- Interior designers use blue and orange as accent colors for contrast.
- Fashion coordinators suggest blue and orange as bold statement outfit colors.
- Cinematographers color grade films with blue and orange hues for dramatic vibrancy.
Theories on Why Blue and Orange Work Together
There are several theories that help explain why blue and orange form such an appealing color pairing:
Complementary Colors
Blue and orange are direct opposites on the color wheel, giving them innate visual harmony. Our eyes and brains are attracted to the balance of complementary colors.
Color Temperature
Blue is cooler while orange is warmer. Combining a warm and cool color is more pleasing than pairing two warm or two cool shades.
Filling the Spectrum
Blue has short and long wavelengths while orange is in the middle. Using both covers more of the visible color spectrum for a rich, diverse palette.
Contrast
Blue and orange have strongly contrasting hues, lightness, and intensity. This creates definition and a focal point against muted backgrounds.
Avoiding Skin Tones
Skin colors contain yellow, red, and pink – but little blue. So orange compliments skin while blue contrasts it.
Cultural Associations of Blue and Orange
Different cultures assign unique meanings and symbolism to colors. Here are some of the associations attributed to blue and orange:
Western Culture
- Blue represents tranquility, stability, nature, and masculinity.
- Orange signifies excitement, warmth, creativity, and affordability.
- Blue and orange together imply action, vibrancy, and energy.
Chinese Culture
- Blue symbolizes immortality, wisdom, and new life.
- Orange connotes happiness, prosperity, and friendship.
- Together they mean good fortune, success, and positive change.
Middle Eastern Culture
- Blue represents heaven, spirituality, and mourning.
- Orange symbolizes prestige and mystery.
- Combining them creates a sacred, meaningful aura.
African Culture
- Blue embodies calm, truth, and order.
- Orange represents the earth, strength, and endurance.
- Together they signal natural balance and community.
The Science of Mixing Blue and Orange Light
The science of how blue and orange light mix involves understanding wavelengths and the additive RGB color model. Some key principles:
Wavelengths
- Blue light has short wavelengths of ~450-500 nm.
- Orange light has longer wavelengths of ~590-620 nm.
- Combined, these make yellow light of ~570-590 nm wavelength.
Additive Color Mixing
- Blue uses 470 nm wavelength light.
- Orange uses 600 nm wavelength light.
- Together these produce yellow around 580 nm.
RGB Model
- Blue uses more blue pixels (0,0,255).
- Orange uses more red pixels (255,165,0).
- Mixing lights up green pixels in the middle for yellowish hues.
Cone Cells
- Blue excites S-cones more than L and M cones.
- Orange excites L and M cones more than S cones.
- Combined they stimulate M-cones strongly, which detect yellow light.
Conclusion
Mixing the colors blue and orange produces a range of secondary colors from greens and yellows to browns, depending on the ratios and mediums used. While complementary on the color wheel, blue and orange have strongly contrasting properties, making them aesthetically pleasing for designs, photographs, and displays when balanced. Understanding the science and psychology behind these bold primary shades helps unlock their visual magnetism.