From childhood art classes, we’re taught the simple equation: red + blue = purple. Just like blue and yellow create green, and red and yellow blend into orange. But how often have you mixed red and blue paint only to find yourself with a muddy, disappointing color that’s far from a vibrant purple? You might have even started to doubt the old adage: do red and blue really make purple?
For artists, especially those striving for bright, clean colors, this can be a frustrating experience. Many painters struggle to mix a satisfying purple, often resorting to pre-mixed purple paints, sometimes even then feeling something is missing in their color palette. If you love purple, this challenge can feel like a major obstacle in your creative journey.
The good news is, achieving beautiful purples through mixing is absolutely possible! The secret lies in understanding a crucial concept: color bias. Once you grasp color bias – the underlying tint or lean within a primary color – you’ll unlock the mystery of mixing perfect purples, and a whole lot more in your color mixing adventures. For a deeper dive into color bias, you might want to explore resources like “Stop Using Warm & Cool Colors!” which explains this concept in detail.
Yes, red and blue do make purple. The key is choosing the right red and the right blue – specific tubes of paint that, when combined, will deliver the vibrant hue of purple you envision for your artwork.
Walk into any art store, and you’ll be met with a dizzying array of red and blue paints: Permanent Rose, Magenta, Thalo Red, Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, Cerulean Blue, and many more. This vast selection, while offering incredible possibilities, can also feel overwhelming when you’re just trying to mix a simple purple!
Faced with so many options, which red and blue will actually create that lovely, clean purple you desire? It’s a common question, and the answer is simpler than you might think.
The Purple Puzzle: Why Sometimes It Doesn’t Work
So, why the confusion? Why does mixing red and blue sometimes fail to produce purple? The main culprit is unknowingly using reds and blues that contain yellow undertones. Yellow is the complementary color to purple, meaning they sit opposite each other on the color wheel. When complementary colors are mixed, they neutralize or desaturate each other. In the case of yellow and purple, the result is a duller, less vibrant color, often leaning towards brown or gray.
Another factor contributing to mixing difficulties is relying on a limited or “standard” color palette that isn’t optimized for purple mixing. Many typical palettes include colors like Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Ultramarine Blue, and Cobalt Blue. While versatile for many mixes, this selection can hinder your purple aspirations.
Mixing red and blue from a palette like this often fails to create a true purple. To achieve a clean, bright purple, you need a red paint that leans towards blue in its bias – a “blue-red” – and absolutely avoids any yellow bias. Cadmium reds, for instance, are known for their yellow bias. Consequently, no matter which blue you pair them with, they will consistently produce a dull, grayish, or even blackish purple. The example below shows Cadmium Red mixed with Ultramarine Blue – the result is far from a vibrant purple.
Alizarin Crimson, another popular red, does have a blue bias. However, it’s inherently a more muted or desaturated red. While you can achieve a sort of purple with Alizarin Crimson, it will never reach the brilliance of a truly clean and vibrant purple. This is a primary reason why some artists choose to limit or avoid Alizarin Crimson in their palettes, as discussed further in articles like “Could You Toss Your Alizarin Crimson?”.
As you can see in the color swatch below, mixing Alizarin Crimson and Ultramarine Blue yields a muted, greyish purple, not a bright, lively hue. Adding white only lightens it to a grey-purple, still lacking vibrancy.
For watercolor artists seeking vibrant purples, Permanent Rose is often a secret weapon. Its strong blue bias makes it ideal for purple mixes, and it’s a versatile color for other applications too. Similarly, in acrylics and oils, “blue-reds” like Permanent Rose, Quinacridone Magenta, or Primary Magenta are excellent choices for purple mixing. Below, you can see the vibrant purple achieved by mixing Permanent Rose and Ultramarine Blue.
Notice that Ultramarine Blue is consistently mentioned as a good blue for purple mixes. This is because Ultramarine Blue itself has a red bias – it leans towards red rather than green or yellow. To further illustrate the point, experiment by mixing a Cadmium Red (yellow bias) with Phthalo Blue or Prussian Blue (both with yellow/green biases). The result will certainly not be purple, because both the red and the blue contain yellow, leading to neutralization rather than vibrant color mixing. Again, in these cases, red and blue don’t make purple – at least not the purple you’re aiming for.
Exploring Different Blues for Purple
Now for a fun twist! If you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing your “blue-red” like Permanent Rose with a “green-blue” like Cerulean Blue. The result might surprise you.
How do you like this purple? It’s softer, more muted, and slightly greyed, but it still retains a definite purple character. Adding a touch of white can further reveal its purple undertones. This demonstrates that even with “green-blues,” you can achieve interesting purples, albeit with a different character than those mixed with “red-blues.”
The best way to truly understand color mixing and unlock the secrets of purple is to experiment yourself. Create your own color charts, playing with different combinations of reds and blues.
Share your discoveries! What red and blue mixtures have you experimented with? Which combinations are your favorites for creating purple? Embrace the process of color exploration and enjoy the colorful discoveries along the way!
If you found this guide helpful, please share it with fellow artists and color enthusiasts. Let’s spread the word and demystify the art of color mixing!
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