Purple is the new black!! Call it the magic of lavender that K-dramas have brought forth, or the new enlightenment on color psychology that people are embracing. Whatever your reason, you surely want to know what colors make purple. We’ll give you the specifics right here!
As you scroll down the post, you will get a detailed idea about – how to make purple support paint with multiple shades, ways to create complex hues of purple, and some quirky facts about this shade that you did not know! Let us explain the specifics to you –
Table of Contents
What colors make purple?
At a primary level, combining red and blue makes a purple shade! You might be already aware that purple has multiple shades, and you can use numerous color combos to create your choicest shade of purple. Precisely speaking, for an intense purple, you need to mix equal parts of blue and red of the same intensity.
When you moderate any of the shades, automatically the other changes. Say, an extra dash of red, will create a comparatively redder purple, while an intense blue hue will make the purple a little more on the blue side.
Apart from this basic color combo, an intermingling of gray/white/yellow to the base shades will give you a lighter version of purple.
The next question that most people have is – how to create complex tints or undertones of purple. Scroll down to the next section for a detailed explanation –
How will you create complex shades of purple?
Before you get to a deeper understanding of what colors make purple there is something you need to know. To create that perfect purple, you need to go through additive and subtractive mixing processes. Let us now see what makes for complex tints of purple –
Note: All shades are added in equal proportions –
RED | BLUE | RESULTING PURPLE |
Cadmium Red | Ultramarine Blue | Purple |
Alizarin Crimson | Ultramarine Blue | Purple |
Cadmium Red | Cobalt Blue | Purple |
Alizarin Crimson | Cobalt Blue | Purple |
Now let us look into the concepts of additive/subtractive mixings –
Additive Mixing
In this case, light waves are combined to curate the target color. You must have seen disco lights or computer displays. They use this technology to create the purple ray that comes out! In this case, you must combine the wavelengths of blue and red light to justify the purple wavelength. Now, to alter the combos (if you are looking at lavender or merlot) – then you must adjust the shades accordingly.
Subtractive Mixing
This way of creating purple is all about removing the wavelengths of visible light by utilizing dyes, paints, or even pigments. In this case, when the shaded pigments are combined; then, rather than reflecting the colors, they absorb the same. So, when making purple paint, this mode of painting is the best option!
Creating Tints of Purple
At a preliminary level, you need to know that – to make a tint of any color, you must add white to it. So, to create a tint of purple, you must add white to it. You must have seen the color – orchid? That is a tinted form of purple and comes when you combine – blue (more), and red (normal quantity) with white.
The most noted tints of purple are – red-violet, magenta, fuchsia, heliotrope, indigo, blue-violet, lilac, and amethyst.
How will you create other undertones of purple?
It is not enough to only understand what colors make purple. There are multiple undertones of this color, noting which is also crucial.
- If you wish to create a gray undertone of purple that includes – mauve, lavender grey, and French lilac, then to the red and blue combo add an adequate amount of grey!
- For those of you looking to get a muted tone of purple, add a dash of yellow to it!
- If you are new to this color world, Dioxazine Purple may be a new shade for you to hear. One of the most noted undertones of purple, you can create this by combining – Quinacridone Magenta with Cobalt Blue (equal parts).
Some tips for making purple
You have seen for yourself what colors make purple, and before you pick up your brushes and paints to try those out, here are some tips you must remember –
Tip 1 – Choose a pure color to create this support shade. Pure color is officially referred to as the ‘hue’ and it is the dominant wavelength of the color (red and blue primarily) that creates the hue. So, if you want a warmer shade of purple, opt for warmer red – while for a cooler purple, go for a cooler base of blue.
Tip 2 – Always adjust the saturation level of the base color. Saturation refers to the intensity of the shade that is to be created. Say, you wish to make a less intense shade of purple, keep the saturation level of black/white high in it (as in add more of these colors).
Tip 3 – Modify the value of the base color you are using. The value refers to the ‘lightness/darkness’ of the color. So, if you are looking for a shade of purple – then add darker values. At the same time, for a periwinkle shade of purple, you can add a dash or two of white paint to the shade.
To attain that perfect shade of purple, keep these pointers in mind.
Did you know this about purple?
Assuming you have gained all the information regarding the color, how about getting to know some quirky facts about this shade? Here they are –
- Historically purple has been a color associated with royalty. Back in ancient times, it was the color that kings and the wealthy used to adorn.
- In terms of the LGBTQ community, purple refers to the non-binary gender identity. At the same time, with respect to females, purple has a sexual connotation.
- Do you often confuse purple with violet? Well, let us inform you categorically that there is a difference! While purple involves a combination of wavelengths, violet is a singular wavelength.
- The symbolic meaning of purple includes – mystery, emotionality, enlightenment, rarity, and creativity.
- In English Literature, purple prose implies exaggerated or imaginative text, that can almost equated with a hyperbole, or in the worst case is a lie.
- Purple has a huge reputation in the marketing domain. Considered to be a calming shade, almost 29% of people believe it to be a hue for bravery.
Parting thoughts
Purple has a long history. While at times, it has been associated with royalty, in other instances it has been viewed as an equivalent of feminine touch. As a support color, it has gained huge popularity. Now you know what colors make purple and can showcase your creativity at home! Ensure that you have the correct set of accessories and brushes to make your creation a huge success! If you liked this post and want to know of such exciting color combinations, keep an eye on this space for more!