When mixing colors, the resulting color is determined by the combination of light waves that make up the component colors. Light pink and light purple are created by mixing red and blue light waves in different proportions. By understanding color theory and the properties of light, we can predict the resulting color when light pink and light purple are combined.
The Color Wheel
The traditional color wheel shows the relationship between different hues in the visible spectrum. Complementary colors are located opposite each other on the wheel. Mixing complements results in shades of brown or gray. Analogous colors are located next to each other and create harmonious combinations.
Light pink is made by mixing red and white. It is located between red and white on the color wheel. Light purple contains red and blue and is between violet and red. Since light pink and light purple are analogous colors, we can expect their combination to produce a harmonic result.
Light Waves and Pigments
Colors that we see are the result of light waves of different wavelengths entering our eyes. Red, green, and blue are the primary colors of light. Combining light waves of these three primary colors in different proportions can create any visible hue.
Pigments like paint and dye absorb certain wavelengths and reflect others back to our eyes. The primary pigment colors are cyan, magenta and yellow. Mixing pigments is a subtractive process, while mixing light is additive. This means the color mixing principles are different for light waves versus pigments.
Mixing Light Pink and Light Purple
When beams of light mix, the wavelengths combine additively. If light pink contains more red wavelengths, and light purple contains more blue, their combination will be made up of both red and blue wavelengths.
The exact proportion of red and blue light determines the resulting color. Equal amounts of pure red and blue light would make magenta. More reddish purple hues contain a higher proportion of red than blue light. More bluish purples have higher amounts of blue.
The Resulting Color
Based on the properties of light pink and light purple, their combination will be a harmonious purple hue with elements of both colors. The exact shade depends on the starting mix, but in general the result will contain a balance of red and blue wavelengths.
Some examples of shades that can result:
| Starting Colors | Resulting Color |
|---|---|
| Light pink (90% red, 10% white) | Reddish purple |
| Light purple (60% blue, 40% red) | Blueish purple verging on magenta |
A true blend of equal parts light pink and light purple would theoretically produce a balanced reddish-blueish purple right between the two starting colors on the color wheel. This shade is sometimes called raspberry or mulberry.
Pigment vs. Light Mixing
One point of confusion is that mixing light pink and light purple paints or dyes will not produce the same color as mixing beams of those colored lights. With pigments, the two starting colors will combine by absorbing some wavelengths and reflecting others. The resulting blended color is difficult to predict visually.
Computer displays and other light-emitting devices use the additive RGB color model. But mixing paints, dyes, pastels, and other pigments follows the more complex subtractive CMYK model. Keep this distinction in mind when working with different color mediums.
Applications
Understanding how to mix light pink and light purple allows color designers to create aesthetically pleasing color palettes for:
- Graphic design – branding, logos, marketing materials
- Fashion and textiles – clothing, accessories, home goods
- Visual arts – painting, photography, digital art
- Web design – websites, apps, user interfaces
- Interior design – paint, furniture, decor
- Events – parties, weddings, conferences
Balancing shades of pink and purple results in soft, feminine color combinations. Light pinkish purples work well for bubbles, flowers, sunsets, galaxies, fabrics, abstract art, and other feminine subjects. Adjusting the red to blue ratio allows designers to achieve just the right mood.
Psychology
Color psychology suggests that different hues can evoke emotional responses. Pink is associated with love, romance, femininity, and self-love. Purple connotes nobility, luxury, spirituality, and mystery. Combining these two colors results in a soft, romantic, and soothing tone.
Light pinkish purples create a gentle, calming effect. They can relax the senses, reduce stress, and evoke feelings of acceptance, unconditional love, imagination, and magical states of mind. Bluish purples may deepen the sense of mysticism and creativity.
Conclusion
When beams of light pink and light purple combine, the resulting color is a harmonious purple hue containing both red and blue wavelengths. The exact shade depends on the red/blue balance and ranges from reddish purples to bluish purples like raspberry and mulberry. Mixing light is an additive process, different from the subtractive mixing of pigments. The combined tone creates a soft, feminine mood. Designers utilize these hues for branding, fashion, visual arts, events, and anywhere a sense of romance, spirituality, or mystery is desired. Understanding how to mix light pink and light purple allows color professionals to achieve the perfect purple tone.
