When you mix the colors purple and blue together, you get a new shade that combines aspects of both original colors. This blended color takes on a more subdued, cool tone than the bold vibrancy of pure purple. The resulting color can range from a light lavender to a deeper royal purple depending on the proportions used. Understanding color theory and the basics of mixing paints or dyes helps explain why certain shades occur.
Breaking Down the Origins of Purple and Blue
To know what color you get when you mix purple and blue, it helps to first look at where these colors come from.
Purple is considered a secondary color in art terminology. This means purple is derived from mixing two primary colors together rather than being a pure hue on the color spectrum. Specifically, purple comes from blending the primary colors red and blue. Red and blue are positioned opposite each other on the color wheel. When mixed, they naturally create the secondary color of purple.
Blue, on the other hand, is considered a primary color. This means blue is one of the core spectral colors on the visible color spectrum. Along with red and yellow, blue wavelengths cannot be created by combining other pigments. Blue gets its pure hue directly from the spectrum of visible light.
So in summary:
| Purple | Secondary Color | Derived from mixing red + blue |
| Blue | Primary Color | Pure spectral hue |
With purple containing blue as one of its components, mixing additional blue into purple influences the end result.
How Color Mixing Works
To get the color that results from combining purple and blue, it helps to understand some color theory basics.
When mixing pigments like paint or dye, the component colors blend together to create an entirely new shade. The proportional ratio of the two original colors impacts the tone and intensity of the final color.
Mixing colors utilizes the subtractive color model. This means that each added pigment absorbs or “subtracts” certain wavelengths of light selectively. The wavelengths that are not absorbed are reflected back to our eyes, creating the perceived color.
For example, purple pigment absorbs the green and yellow wavelengths. Blue pigment absorbs the orange and red wavelengths. When these two are blended, the combined pigment absorbs more wavelengths, resulting in a darker, more subdued mixed shade.
Adjusting the proportions alters the dominance of one color over the other in the mixture. So a higher concentration of vivid purple would counteract the darkening effect of the blue more than an equal 50/50 blend would.
The Color Spectrum of Mixed Purple and Blue
Given the color theory behind mixing, adding blue to purple produces a range of shades depending on the ratios used.
At one end, combining just a small amount of blue with a vivid purple creates a light lavender color. Lavender retains the vibrant essence of purple but is softened with an airy, delicate quality from the blue undertones.
Heading toward the middle of the spectrum, an approximately even mixture of strong purple and rich blue makes a nice royal purple. This is a balanced, moderately deep shade.
Shifting the ratio toward more blue content produces more somber purple-blue tones. These hues can range from bluish purple to purplish blue depending on whether purple or blue dominates. Deep navy purple and majorelle blue are examples.
At the far end of the spectrum, adding just a touch of purple to a strong blue creates a cool periwinkle shade. Though the blue overwhelms the purple, the hint of purple complexity keeps it from being a true pure blue.
Mixing Paints vs. Mixing Light
An important distinction is that mixing colored pigments such as paint follows the subtractive color model, while mixing colored light follows the additive model.
The additive color process applies to mixing light wavelengths rather than pigments. With light, the component colors are not absorbed but instead are combined together into the visual result.
For example, red light and blue light shone together will blend additively to create the appearance of purple. This is different than mixing red and blue paint pigments.
So the color created by mixing paints of purple and blue will differ from overlaying beams of purple and blue light. However, the general principles of color theory still apply to both models. Mixing any two colors will produce a new blended shade based on the proportional ratios used.
Examples of Purple and Blue Mixed
Here are some real-world examples of popular colors that embody the range of shades created by blending purple and blue:
Light Lavender
– Easter eggs
– Lilac flowers
– Powder blue eyeshadow
Royal Purple
– Mardi Gras flags
– Neon purple signage
– Grape soda
Bluish Purple
– Dusk sky at twilight
– Eggplant vegetables
– Deep purple irises
Purplish Blue
– Blueball bluebell flowers
– Blue raspberry candy
– Majorelle blue clothing dye
Periwinkle
– Periwinkle crayons
– Lilac bush flowers
– Light wisteria color
Observing these examples in everyday objects, nature, and man-made colors gives a concrete idea of the range of purple-blue shades.
Mixing Paints to Get Purple-Blue
You can easily mix up a custom purple-blue color at home by blending paints or dyes. Here is a simple process to try:
Supplies Needed:
– Purple acrylic or tempera paint
– Blue acrylic or tempera paint
– Paintbrushes
– Containers for mixing
– Paint swatches or canvas
Instructions:
1. Choose a vivid purple and rich blue paint color. Squeeze some of each color into a mixing container.
2. Start by making a 50/50 blend. Add equal parts purple and blue paint. Stir thoroughly with a paintbrush until uniform.
3. Paint a swatch of the mixed color onto canvas or thick paper. Evaluate the hue.
4. To adjust the shade, add more of either purple or blue paint as desired to the mix.
5. Paint additional swatches with the new color variations.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you achieve your perfect purple-blue.
7. Use the custom mixed color for an art project or home decor.
Follow this process to see firsthand how easy it is to create a whole spectrum of purple-blue tones by tweaking the paint ratios.
Using Complementary Colors
Keep in mind that purple and yellow are considered complementary colors on the color wheel. This means they naturally enhance one another when placed side-by-side.
Adding pops of yellow can help make a purple-blue color palette more vibrant and lively. Similarly, choosing purple-blue shades for apparel or decor will flatter skin tones andobjects with warm yellow undertones.
Conclusion
Mixing the colors purple and blue results in a range of fresh new shades from light lavender to deep periwinkle. The specific hue that occurs depends on the proportional ratios used. Understanding the origins and color theory behind purple and blue gives insight into why combining them creates muted, cooler tones. Experimenting with mixing paints, dyes, or light beams makes the color relationships come alive. Overall, blending these two colors opens up fabulous new possibilities across art, fashion, design, and beauty.
