Do blue and pink make purple? Equal measures of red and blue light should produce magenta. Violet is a soft magenta and is a true color that is seen on the visible spectrum, which is often associated with purple. However, purple is not a true color and is used mostly as a reference to different red and blue light color combinations and what people perceive as purple.
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Posted by Ashley Robinson | Mar 28, 2021 5:00:00 PM
Let’s say you want to learn how to make purple food coloring or how to make purple paint. You’ll need to understand how to mix colors! But where do you begin? What two colors make purple?
To learn how to make purple, you need to have an understanding of the science behind color mixing. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to use colors to make purple. We’ll cover the following:
- A quick guide to how to make purple
- A scientific explanation for the question, “What is purple?”
- A thorough explanation of how to make more complex shades of purple
- Examples of different shades of purple and what colors you combine to create them
Now, let’s talk about how to make purple!
How To Make Purple: A Quick Primer
Mixing blue and red together makes purple. The amount of blue and red that you add to your mixture will determine the exact shade of purple you produce. More red will create a redder purple, and more blue will create a bluer purple.
Blue and red are essential to creating purple, but you can mix in other colors to create different shades of purple. Adding white, yellow, or gray to your mixture of blue and red will give you a lighter purple. Incorporating black into your blue and red mixture will give you a darker shade of purple.
In general, purple refers to any color with a hue that is between red and blue. But getting the perfect shade of purple is a little more complicated than simply mixing these two colors. This is where the science of color comes in! Understanding the science behind making purple will help you make purple all on your own.
We’ll cover the basics of the science behind making purple next!
What Is Purple? The Science Behind the Color
What two colors make purple? Mixing red and blue together makes purple, but getting the right shade of purple isn’t quite that simple.
To answer the question, “What colors make purple,” you need a basic understanding of color. Color comes from light, so we need to start by looking at how light works.
Understanding light can be complicated–I mean, that’s why we have physics. But luckily, the color-making geniuses at Crayola explain how light creates visible color like this:
When light shines on an object some colors bounce off the object and others are absorbed by it. Our eyes only see the colors that are bounced off or reflected.
The sun’s rays contain all the colors of the rainbow mixed together. This mixture is known as white light. When white light strikes a white crayon or marker barrel, it appears white to us because it absorbs no color and reflects all color equally. A black crayon or marker cap absorbs all colors equally and reflects none, so it looks black to us. While artists consider black a color, scientists do not because black is the absence of all color.
In simpler terms, objects have certain physical properties that cause them to absorb certain types of light, or electromagnetic waves. The light waves that aren’t absorbed are reflected, which creates the color you see with your eyes!
And what about black and white? An object will appear white when it reflects all colors. This is because white contains all wavelengths of light and is made of all colors of the rainbow. The light from the sun is an example of white light! Then there’s black. Black objects absorb all color because they reflect no light back.
Most of the time, an object will reflect some color. So when an object appears as green or red to you, it’s because of the wavelength of light that’s bouncing off of the object.
At this point, you’ve probably guessed that light comes in lots of different wavelengths. A wavelength is the distance between two crests of a wave of light. You can visualize how a wavelength of light behaves by thinking about how water hits the shore at the beach. Waves sometimes hit the shore low and far apart. At other times, waves come in higher and closer together. Now, if you wanted to measure the length of the waves at the beach, you’d start at the highest point, or crest, of one wave, then measure to the crest of the next wave. The distance from crest to crest is what we call the wavelength of the ocean on the beach.
Waves of light are a lot like waves of water–except light waves are a lot smaller and closer together. When light bounces off an object, our eyes measure the wavelengths and translate them into different colors.
The entire scope of possible wavelengths of light is called the “spectrum.” If you look below, you can see how the spectrum of light converts to the spectrum of color:
The length of a wave of light is measured in nanometers (nm). Longer wavelengths translate to colors that appear “warmer,” and shorter wavelengths create colors that look “cooler.”
If you look at the image above again, you’ll also notice that only a very small portion of the spectrum of light is visible to our eyes. We’re only able to see the wavelengths between about 400 and 800 nanometers. That may seem like a lot, but the spectrum of light extends far beyond that range in either direction. There is a lot of light on the available spectrum that we can’t see!
The segment of the electromagnetic spectrum that humans can see without help from technology is called the “ visible light spectrum .”
Red, a primary component of purple, is approximately 700 nanometers in wavelength. Red is one of the longer wavelengths that our eyes can see. The distance from crest to crest is only a little bit thicker than the membrane of a soap bubble .
But purple is also made of blue. Blue has wavelengths around 475 nanometers, making it one of the shortest wavelengths visible to our eyes.
So what colors make purple? Purple is a combination of red light and blue light. An object that we perceive as purple has a makeup that causes it to absorb all wavelengths of light except those that fall around 700 nanometers and 475 nanometers in length. The object reflects those exact wavelengths mixed together, which gives the impression that the object is purple.
What Color Does Blue and Pink Make?
Blue is considered a primary color, while pink is more a shade of red that has more white added to it. So, do blue and pink make purple? Yes, when you mix blue and pink, it makes a shade of purple. We say shade because it depends on the proportions and types of colors added. In general, since white has been added, it does tend to create a softer shade of purple, as seen in the table below.
| Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
| Blue | #0000ff | 100, 100, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 255 | |
| Pink | #ffc0cb | 0, 25, 20, 0 | 255, 192, 203 | |
| Pastel Purple | #b39eb5 | 1, 13, 0, 29 | 179, 158, 181 |
Understanding Blue and Pink As Colors
In color theory and dealing with the traditional color model, blue and red are both primary colors. The third primary color is yellow, while the secondary colors include orange, green, and purple. Each color can be located on what is known as the color wheel. The color wheel helps us to visualize the different colors and how they work with one another.
There are also a few other terms you should know when dealing with colors, for example, shades and tints.
- Shades: These are colors that black has been added to, which creates darker and darker hues.
- Tints: When white is added to a color, it is described as a tint, which creates colors that go lighter and lighter, depending on the amount of white being added.
Saying pink is a shade of red is a little misleading, as it is more of a tint, but many use the phrase when speaking in general terms for different types of colors from the same family. So, white has been added to the red to create pink, which can range from a strong and vibrant pink to a light and pale pink. Another aspect of color theory is color bias or color temperature. Blue is considered a cool color and will most likely remind you of the sky or water. Other cool colors include green and purple. Red is considered a warm color and generally reminds one of fire and heat.
Other warm colors include orange and yellow. These warm and cool colors are divided on the color wheel, with cool colors in one part and warm colors in the other.
Pink is also generally a warm color since it is from the red family of colors. However, you can also get individual cool reds, which have hints or slight undertones of blue or purple. In a similar way, different individual blues can also have warmer undertones. For example, ultramarine blue has a warm reddish undertone. Each color also has meaning and associations, which can be influenced by many things, such as cultural influences and personal experiences. Let us take a look at the general meaning of both blue and pink colors.
Meaning of Blue
Blue is a cool color and is often associated with the sky or bodies of water. The color’s main effects are to soothe and calm. It is also a popular color to use if you want to evoke loyalty and trust, as it helps to build confidence and helps you to feel safe. Blue does not make a show of itself and represents understanding and patience.
You tend to feel comfortable with blue, which is most probably why it is a favorite among many.
Lighter blues are associated more with health, healing, and tranquility, while darker shades are associated more with power, professionalism, and knowledge. However, too much blue can seem depressing, predictable, and too conservative.
Meaning of Pink
Pink is a softer version of red, which is fiery and full of passion. Both red and pink represent love and romance, but pink is associated more with affection, friendship, compassion, peace, harmony, and nurturing. It evokes feelings of hope, comfort, warmth, and playfulness. However, over the years, due to various influences, pink has gained a feminine association. For example, when a baby girl is born, the color most often chosen is pink. Blue is similar for boys.
Too much pink can seem immature and keeping with the negative side, pink is often associated with timidity, being over-emotional, and lacking in confidence.
Pink and Blue Mixed With Paint
When dealing with the traditional color model, it is often used when mixing paints. Pink and blue mixed, should create a type of purple. The color you are looking for will depend on the amount of each blue and pink paint. However, you would have to purchase a pink tube of paint, and many basic paint sets will not come with pink. However, there is usually red and white, so you can make the pink color yourself. You can experiment with first creating pink and then mixing a little blue into the pink until you get the purple you want.
You can also first try mixing red and blue, and then adding this to the white to get the shade of purple you are looking for.
Why Is a Pink and Blue Combination Sometimes Difficult to Achieve?
Whatever way you decide to make purple, sometimes it might seem challenging. The mixed color could come out a purple-brow or muddy color, instead of a more vibrant purple you were going for. Why is this? The reason is that most paint manufacturers have their own formulas for their paints. So, not all paints are made equal. You might find a paint that says “red” or “blue”, however, there are many types of red or blue. Many of them are not “pure blue” and have other colors mixed in.
Many reds and blues can even contain yellow. So, when you are blending colors, you will be combining all three primary colors. In color theory, this means that you will land up with a dark neutral color like gray or brown.
This is because, when you mix paints, you are using subtractive color mixing. These colors are created when certain color wavelengths are absorbed, while other colors are reflected. So, if you are not getting the purple expected, consider trying a different red or blue paint. Preferably, read the label when purchasing your paint tubes. However, if you are not too sure, experiment with different reds and blues to see what happens, you might create something even better than you wanted. You can consider paint colors like crimson, which is a cool red, and maybe try the ultramarine blue to create a purple.
Creating Lighter and Darker Shades
Pink is already a lighter shade of red, however, there are also various pink shades and tints. So, depending on the type of pink you use in the mix, it will create a different type of purple. Once you have created your purple color, and it still seems too dark, you can easily lighten it by adding small amounts of white paint until you get the color you want.
Similar to darker shades, if you want to darken your purple, you can add small amounts of black paint. A better idea is to add more blue to the mix, as black can take over very quickly.
Meaning of Purple
Purple is the color of royalty but has many other associations. It is also a mysterious color that is associated with wisdom, spirituality, creativity, and imagination. The purple color also encourages, inspires, and uplifts. Lighter colors of purple are more romantic and produce feelings of nostalgia. These colors are also more calming, relaxing, and friendly, and have a certain innocence about them. Lighter purples are also more feminine, youthful, intuitive, and nurturing.
Purple makes a good bedfellow
The rule of thumb for fail-safe color combinations is to keep hues of similar intensity together. Mix jewel-toned colors with royal purple, for example. Blend pastels with the purple tints of lavender or lilac. Earth tones work well with muted dusky purple, which is purple blended with brown. Purple is so versatile that it combines easily with most colors. Following a few guidelines, however, will help you maximize the mood you’re trying to achieve. Keep in mind that purple is a dark hue that can easily be lost if it’s any distance from the viewer; it is best kept up close where it can be appreciated. To keep it alive at a distance, mix dark purple with a high-contrast foil of white or silver.
Primary colors—those that cannot be formed from the mixing of other colors—contrast with purple with increasing vibrancy as one moves along the color wheel from blue to red to yellow. Combining purple and blue seems rich, regal, and sophisticated—cool in more ways than one. Red and purple together are sassy, flashy, and enticingly hot. Yellow, however, makes purple jump. As opposites, or complements, on the color wheel, purple and yellow combine in electric, scintillating ways.
Purple mixes naturally with either of the other two secondary colors, green and orange, and all three together create the traditional festive hues of Mardi Gras. In the garden, there is no shortage of green to complement purple as most plants with purple flowers have green leaves.
Blending pastels—colors to which white has been added—is the mainstay of many a tasteful English-style border. Pastels are safe and comfortable, reminding us of Easter and springtime. The rules for combining colors suggest that a composition of pastels will always succeed. But rules are meant to be broken, and injecting rich purple into a pastel combination is effective. It adds a depth and color complexity that are always satisfying. Dark blue, too, can spice up a pastel planting without upsetting the genteel flavor intended.
Of all the colors that combine well with purple perhaps the best is more purple. This is not just a reiteration of my favorite axiom, “Too much of a good thing is great.” The varied hues of purple in nature yield so many different but similar colors that the resulting garden mélange is vividly effective. Even the pastel shades of lavender and lilac mingle well with royal purple, violet, and indigo. To successfully incorporate even more of this rich color in your beds and borders, be sure to add plants with deep purple foliage such as Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus, USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11) or purple heart (Tradescantia pallida ‘Purple Heart’, Zones 8–11).
Following these simple rules should make it easier to design with purple. But clearing up popular confusion about the color is another matter. Consider the opening scene of the movie The Color Purple, in which the leading lady runs through a field of blooming cosmos, waxing enthusiastic about purple and yet the flowers are not that color at all but rather magenta-pink. I propose that when they remake the movie they replace the cosmos with verbena or salvia or tall asters. Any plant, in other words, that is purely purple.
Magenta: When purple sees red
Magenta is the red-headed stepchild of purple. Many people consider magenta-hued flowers to be in league with purple, but magenta is on the red side of violet and in a class all its own. It is readily found in flowers such as winecups (Callirhoe involucrata, Zones 4–9), rose campion (Lychnis coronaria, Zones 3–8), bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum, Zones 3–8), cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus cvs., annual), fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium, Zones 3–7), perennial pea (Lathyrus latifolius, Zones 5–9), and loosestrife—yes, the “purple” one (Lythrum salicaria, Zones 4–9).
The color has combination qualities that elude purple. Magenta looks stunning with the silver foliage of lambs’ ears (Stachys byzantina, Zones 4–8), artemisia (Artemisia spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9), and silver sage (Salvia argentea, Zones 5–8). Magenta-hued flowers are always effectively contrasted with soft yellow blooms, including those of ‘Moonshine’ yarrow (Achillea ‘Moonshine’, Zones 3–8) and ‘Moonbeam’ coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’, Zones 3–8). Magenta also contrasts smartly with green, which perhaps explains why magenta appears so widely in the natural world.
A sampling of purples
- Bearded irises (Iris spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9), all shades
- Petunias (Petunia spp. and cvs., annual), all shades
- Siberian irises (Iris spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9), violet, violet purple, royal purple
- Purple heart (Tradescantia pallida ‘Purple Heart’, Zones 8–11), violet purple
- Purple wood sorrel (Oxalis regnellii ‘Triangularis’ and ‘Francis’, Zones 7–10), violet purple
- Canterbury bells (Campanula medium and cvs., Zones 5–8), royal purple
- Clustered bellflowers (Campanula glomerata and cvs., Zones 3–8), royal purple
- Corsican violet (Viola corsica, Zones 4–9), royal purple
- English lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Mitcham Gray’ and ‘Hidcote’, Zones 5–8), royal purple
- Glory bush (Tibouchina urvilleana, Zones 9–11), royal purple
- Jackman clematis (Clematis ‘Jackmanii’, Zones 4–11), royal purple
- New England asters (Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’ and ‘Hella Lacey’, Zones 4–8), royal purple
- Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus, Zones 9–11), royal purple
- Rocky Mountain beard-tongue (Penstemon strictus, Zones 3–8), royal purple
- Rose vervain (Verbena canadensis ‘Homestead Purple’, Zones 5–9), royal purple
- Salvias (Salvia × superba and cvs., Zones 5–9), royal purple
- Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii ‘Black Knight’, Zones 6–9), dark purple
- ‘Indigo Spires’ salvia (Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’, Zones 8–11), indigo
- ‘May Night’ salvia (Salvia × sylvestris ‘May Night’, Zones 5–9), indigo
Tom Peace is a contributing editor who divides his time between Texas and Colorado. He shares a birth date with Prince.
All photos, except where noted: Tom Peace
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