Purple is a color that can range from reddish to bluish tones. When purple contains more blue undertones, it takes on a cooler, calmer feeling. In color theory, purple with blue undertones is considered a “cool” color, while purple with red undertones is a “warm” color. There are a few key factors that make certain shades of purple appear more blue.
The Color Wheel
On the color wheel, purple sits between red and blue. Red, yellow and blue are considered the three primary colors. Purple is a secondary color created by mixing blue and red. The more blue used in the mix, the bluer the purple will become.
Some examples of purples with more blue tones include:
- Periwinkle
- Lavender
- Wisteria
- Lilac
These shades have a calm, cool feeling and give off a sense of tranquility. They are commonly described as “soft” purples.
Hue, Saturation, and Value
In color theory, hue, saturation, and value are terms used to describe a color. The hue refers to where the color falls on the color wheel. Saturation or chroma refers to the intensity of the color. Value indicates how light or dark the color is.
Purples with more blue in them tend to have a lower value and saturation. They are more pale and muted. Purples with a redder hue contain more vibrancy and pop. Think of the difference between lavender and fuchsia – fuchsia has a much higher chroma.
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. Purple’s analogous colors are blue and red-violet. When using an analogous color palette, shades that lean towards blue will take on a bluer appearance. Using blue as an accent color with purple makes the purple take on more blue undertones.
Some examples of analogous palettes featuring blueish purples:
- Periwinkle, indigo blue, violet
- Lavender, cool grey, navy blue
- Thistle, blueberry, plum
Cool vs. Warm Color Schemes
Color palettes are defined as either warm or cool. Cool color schemes use blues, greens, and purples. These colors evoke a calming vibe. Warm palettes use reds, oranges, yellows and pinks for a lively feel.
When using purple in a cool color scheme, the purples displayed will naturally take on a bluer hue. Mixing purple with other cool colors like blue, teal or seafoam green enhances the purple’s blue undertones.
| Cool Color Scheme | Warm Color Scheme |
|---|---|
| Periwinkle | Orchid |
| Light blue | Melon |
| Lavender | Coral |
| Seafoam green | Peach |
As shown, the cool color scheme uses purples and blues for a more relaxing feel, while the warm scheme is bright and energetic.
Lighting
The lighting and environment a purple object is viewed in can alter its appearance. Cool, blue lighting will influence purple to take on a deeper, bluer tone. Warm, yellow lighting adds a reddish-orange cast.
For example, a purple flower viewed at night under moonlight will appear very blue. The same flower seen under sunlight during the day looks more vibrant and red-toned.
Textiles
With textiles like clothing and fabric, the texture and sheen can accentuate different undertones. A matte, lightweight lavender sweater will look soft and blue-based. A satin fuchsia bed sheet has high chroma and reflects warmer tones.
Dyeing techniques also affect the final color. A purple with blue dye added will naturally pull more blue as light hits the fabric. Overdyeing purple with a blue wash creates a cooler effect.
Paints and Pigments
The ingredients used to create purple paints and pigments impact the tone. Organic compounds like lapis lazuli contain more blue. Minerals like manganese and iron create red bias. Ultramarine blue can be added to paint to increase blueness.
Watercolor washes layering purple over blue result in subtler, bluer shades. Using a purple versus blue marker on paper shows the underlying warmth of the purple.
Digital Design
In digital design software like Photoshop or Illustrator, purple can be molded into any hue. Lowering the RGB red value and increasing blue shifts purple from magenta towards indigo. The HSL panel can directly adjust hue, saturation and brightness.
Starting with a pure purple hue, designers can play with color balance, gradients, overlayers and shadows to find the perfect purple for their design needs.
Flowers and Plants
Many flowers and plants naturally contain purples and blues, making them appear more blue-toned. These include:
- Iris – Very blue-toned purple flowers
- Hydrangea – Can produce blueish purple blooms
- Lavender – Soft periwinkle purple flowers
- Bluebells – Violet blue bell-shaped flowers
- Grapes – Range from green to bluish purple
- Eggplant – Deep purple with blue undertones
The cool environment, lighting conditions, and natural pigments in these plants shift the purple toward blue hues.
Gems and Minerals
| Gem/Mineral | Color | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sodalite | Deep violet-blue | Contains streaks of white calcite |
| Tanzanite | Blue-violet | Trichroic gem, blue, violet and burgundy |
| Amethyst | Light to medium purple | Known as one of the “cool” colored gems |
| Fluorite | Blue-violet | Caused by fluorine ions which absorb yellow and green light |
Many naturally occurring gems and minerals exhibit purple and blue hues due to their unique mineral composition and structure. Tanzanite exhibits trichroism, showing different colors from different angles.
Butterflies and Insects
Some butterflies and insects like wasps and dragonflies contain blue and violet colors in their wings and bodies. A few examples include:
- Blue Morpho Butterfly – Bright iridescent blue wings
- Common Purple Emperor – Deep purple iridescence on wings
- Western Tiger Swallowtail – Yellow and blue wings
- Blue Dasher Dragonfly – Blue stripes on black body
The colors are produced by the reflection and diffraction of light passing through the insect’s specialized wing scales and outer layer. This creates an optical effect that shifts from blue to purple.
Conclusion
In summary, the factors that make some shades of purple appear more blue include:
- Proportions of blue vs red pigments
- Hue, saturation and lightness values
- Use of analogous or complementary colors
- Cool vs. warm color schemes
- Lighting conditions
- Textures and fabrication techniques
- Ingredients and compounds
- Digital editing
- Natural pigments
- Structural properties
Paying attention to these elements allows artists, designers and creators to fine-tune purple hues from bold reddish purples to soft bluish hues.
