One of the complements used should be dull, light, or dark, or in small amounts
Guidelines for producing a vibrant purple shade
Guide C-316
Revised by Jennah McKinley
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences , New Mexico State University
Author: Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agent, Eddy County Extension Office, New Mexico State University. (Print Friendy PDF)
Color is one of the most important stimuli in the world. It affects our moods and personal characteristics. We speak of blue Mondays, being in the pink, seeing red, and everything coming up roses. Webster defines color as the sensation resulting from stimulating the eye’s retina with light waves of certain wavelengths. Those sensations have been given names such as red, green, and purple.
Color communicates. It tells others about you. What determines your choice of colors in your clothing? In your home? In your office? In your car? Your selection of color is influenced by age, personality, experiences, the occasion, the effect of light, size, texture, and a variety of other factors.
Some people have misconceptions about color. They may feel certain colors should never be used together, certain colors are always unflattering, or certain colors indicate a person’s character. These ideas will limit their enjoyment of color and can cause them a great deal of frustration in life. To get a better understanding of color, look at nature. Consider these facts:
- The prettiest gardens have a wide variety of reds, oranges, pinks, violets, purples, and yellows all mixed together.
- There are countless shades of greens in a forest, in the desert, and in the ocean.
- The sky can change its blue from moment to moment, and what begins as blue becomes pink and violet or orange and crimson as the sun sets.
- Even the soil boasts a variety of colors, from whitest white to coal black, with numerous colors in between.
Color makes life interesting. To use color effectively, you must understand some basic color facts. There are three dimensions of color:
- Hue is another word for color. It usually indicates a modification of basic color. Red is a color; orange is a reddish hue.
- Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. A light color is a tint. For example, pink is a tint of red. A dark color is called a shade. Forest green is a shade of green.
- Intensity refers to the brightness or dullness of a color, such as a bright yellow or a dull yellow.
Qualities of Color
Hue
A widely accepted theory of color is based on the idea that all colors, or hues, are derived from the three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. All other colors or hues come from mixtures of these primary colors. Thinking about colors around you and where they might be placed on a color wheel (Figure 1) will help you see color relationships.
Figure 1. Sample color wheel.
Primary colors: red, yellow, and blue
Secondary colors: green, orange, and purple
Intermediate colors: yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-green, and yellow-green
Gray: combination of all pigments
Further mixing of neighboring colors produces many other colors and color gradations. Mixed colors can be considered relatives because they have common ancestors. Any mixed color fits into the color wheel according to the amount of red, yellow, or blue it contains.
There are three neutrals: black, white, and gray. These are not true colors or hues, but are achromatic colors. Black results from the complete absorption of light rays. White is a reflection of all the rays that produce color. Gray is an imperfect absorption of the light rays or a mixture of black and white.
A pure color is generally referred to as “hue.” The value of a hue is adjusted by the addition of either pure black or pure white. Value is the measurement of the amount of black or white mixed into a pure hue.
By adding black to the color, the value is made darker, resulting in what is referred to as a “shade.” When white is added to a color, the result is a lighter value, which is referred to as a “tint.”
An example can be seen with the color red. The hue is red. A tint of red is what is commonly referred to as the color “pink” (red + white). A darker value, or shade of red, may be a color that we
commonly refer to as “Burgundy” (red + black) (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Changes in the value of a hue can be made by adding pure white or pure black.
Other colors can be added to a hue, resulting in an adjustment of value. But because the addition of these colors also changes the hue, white and black are commonly used as the measurement. Since these colors are neutral colors, they only affect the value and do not change the hue.
Value
Value, the second dimension of color, describes the lightness or darkness of a hue. Colors follow a natural order. You have a choice within each color family from light to dark colors. As mentioned previously, you can obtain different values by adding black or white to a color.
All values can be measured using a value scale, which theoretically has an infinite number of values. Most value scales are sufficient when they show 7 to 9 values (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Example of a value scale with seven tones.
All colors have an inherent value associated with them. For example, purely pigmented yellows are generally lighter in value when compared to purely pigmented blues, which are darker (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Example of inherent values in two hues.
Intensity
The third characteristic of color is intensity. Intensity is the dimension of color that tells the brightness or dullness, its strength or its weakness. Intensity describes the distance of the color from gray on the color wheel.
Colors in the color wheel are full intensity because they are as bright as each color can be. As colors go down in brightness, toward neutral gray or no color, they are said to be dulled or low intensity.
It is easy to see the difference between vivid red and dull maroon, or between bright orange and dull brown or beige. It is sometimes more difficult to recognize that a dusty pink is duller than a clear, fresh pink.
Intensity is adjusted by adding additional colors to the pure hue. A color can be made less intense by adding gray to the color (Figure 5). In some ways, intensity can be measured by the amount of gray in the hue.
Figure 5. Colors can be made less intense by adding gray to the hue.
Hues can only degrade in intensity. In other words, additional colors cannot be added to a hue to make them “more intense.” Each color that is added to a pure hue decreases its intensity.
Warm or Cool Colors
Colors are considered warm if they contain enough yellow or yellow-red. They are considered cool if they contain a noticeable quantity of blue
(Figure 6).
Figure 6. Colors can be divided into warm colors and cool colors.
There are warm and cool versions in each color family. Purple-red or bluish-red is the cool version of red. Aqua is an example of a warm version of a cool color because some yellow had to be mixed with the predominately blue color.
In summary, the three qualities of color are hue, value, and intensity. There can be both light and dark colors in a bright or vivid group of colors, and light and dark colors in a dull or subdued group
of colors.
Tips for Combing Hues, Values, and Intensities
Combine Warm and Cool Colors
Contrasting colors make each other seem more intense when used together. Warm colors make cool ones seem cooler, and cool colors make warm ones seem warmer.
The duller a color becomes, however, the less power it has to make its compliment look brighter. A dull color is more likely to emphasize, through repetition, other colors related to it. For example, a camel coat (orange hue) would emphasize blond hair and creamy skin more that it would blue eyes (complementary color).
Usually, unequal amounts of warm and cool colors are most pleasing because the color combination will create a unified idea of either warmness or coolness.
Combine Light and Dark Colors
Some contrast of light and dark is needed in a color scheme. Try combinations using only light colors, then try combinations using only dark colors. Some variation in value is needed for interest.
Strong light and dark contrasts are the most striking. For example, light cream with dark brown is more striking than dark tan with medium brown. Make pleasing combinations by keeping the natural color in mind and combining a lighter warm color with a darker cool color.
Combine Bright and Dull Colors
Colors go together well when the quality of brightness is nearly the same. Brighter color combinations look cheerful, and duller ones look soft and restful. Some of the dull color combinations may appear even somber or drab. A small amount of bright color used with subdued color can improve a color scheme. Combine a bright accent color with a dull-colored outfit. If too much bright color is used, dull colors look even duller.
Guidelines for producing a vibrant purple shade
Understanding Color Basics
Before we delve into the process of making purple, it’s essential to understand the basics of color theory. Colors are typically organized how to make purple colour into a color wheel, which consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Primary colors are the building blocks of all other colors and cannot be created by mixing other colors. In the subtractive color model (used in painting and mixing pigments), the primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.
Creating Purple with Primary Colors
To create purple using primary colors, you can mix red and blue together. However, the specific shades of red and blue you choose will determine the shade of purple you get. For instance, mixing a warm red, such as cadmium red, with a cool blue, like ultramarine blue, will result in a rich and vibrant purple. Conversely, mixing a warm red with a warm blue, such as phthalo blue, will produce a different shade of purple.
Experiment with different ratios of red and blue to achieve the desired hue. You can add more red to create a warmer, reddish-purple or more blue for a cooler, bluish-purple. The possibilities are virtually endless, allowing you to create an array of purple shades to suit your artistic vision.
Creating Purple with Secondary Colors
In addition to mixing primary colors, you can also create purple by mixing secondary colors. Secondary colors are formed by mixing equal parts of two primary colors. In the subtractive color model, the secondary colors are green (yellow + blue), orange (yellow + red), and purple (red + blue).
To make purple using secondary colors, mix equal parts of red and blue. This method can produce a true, balanced purple color. However, it’s worth noting that the resulting purple may not be as intense or vibrant as when using primary colors. If you desire a more vivid purple, consider adding a touch of a primary color to enhance the depth of your shade.
Creating Purple with Tertiary Colors
Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color on the color wheel. For example, mixing red (a primary color) with purple (a secondary color) can produce a tertiary purple with unique characteristics.
Experimentation is key when working with tertiary colors to create your ideal shade of purple. You can adjust the ratio of primary and secondary colors to achieve the desired intensity and undertones in your purple.
Mixing Purple with White or Black
To modify the value or tint of your purple, you can add white or black. Adding white will create a lighter shade of purple, often referred to as lavender or lilac. On the other hand, adding black will darken the purple, resulting in shades like deep plum or eggplant.
Remember to mix slowly and test your colors on a palette or scrap surface to avoid overcorrection. A little bit of white or black can go a long way in altering the tone of your purple.
Purple is a captivating and versatile color that can be created through various methods by mixing primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. The key to achieving the perfect shade of purple lies in experimentation and an understanding of color theory. Whether you’re a painter, designer, or simply looking to add a pop of purple to your life, mastering the art of creating purple will allow you to express your creativity and imagination with this enchanting color. So, grab your paintbrushes, mix your colors, and let your purple journey begin!
A Guide to Mixing and Creating the Perfect Shade
Colors are typically classified into three primary categories: primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors.
Primary Colors: These are the fundamental colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors. The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.
Secondary Colors: Secondary colors are created by mixing equal how to make purple colour parts of two primary colors. For purple, the relevant secondary colors are:
Red + Blue = Purple
Now that we know the primary and secondary colors involved, let’s explore different methods to make purple:
Method 1: Mixing Paints
One of the most straightforward ways to create purple is by mixing red and blue paints. Start with small quantities of each color and gradually mix them together until you achieve your desired shade of purple. Experiment with different ratios to create variations, from a vibrant magenta to a deep royal purple.
Method 2: Blending Light
In the world of digital design and photography, purple can be created by blending light. This involves mixing red and blue light at varying intensities. By adjusting the intensity of each color, you can achieve a wide range of purple hues. Many color editing software programs allow you to fine-tune the exact shade you want.
Method 3: Natural Dyeing
If you’re interested in creating purple textiles or clothing using natural dyes, you can turn to plant-based materials. Red cabbage, blackberries, and blueberries are all natural sources of pigments that can be used to create purple dyes. Boil or steep these materials in hot water to extract the pigments, then dip your fabric into the dye bath for various shades of purple.
Method 4: Mixing Pigments
For artists working with pigments, achieving the perfect shade of purple can be a bit more complex. Mixing red and blue pigments may not always yield the desired result due to variations in pigment strength and opacity. Artists often use pre-made purple pigments as a starting point and then modify them as needed with other colors to achieve the desired shade.
Tips for Creating Your Perfect Purple
Start with small amounts of color and gradually add more to avoid over-saturation.
Keep track of the ratios you use, especially when mixing paints, to recreate the color later if needed.
Experiment with different shades of red and blue to create unique purples.
Use a color wheel or color-mixing guide to help you understand how different colors interact.
Remember that the lighting conditions can affect how we perceive colors, so consider the context in which your purple will be viewed.
