How Do You Get the Color Violet?
Violet, a color often confused with purple, can be achieved in several ways, depending on the medium.
In the realm of light, like on computer screens or televisions that use the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model, violet is produced by mixing red and blue light, with a greater proportion of blue than red. This is because violet lies on the spectrum between blue and red.
Achieving Violet with Pigments (Subtractive Color Mixing)
Painters historically used the RYB (Red, Yellow, Blue) color model. In this system, violet is created by combining red and blue pigments. The precise ratios of red and blue will determine the exact shade of violet achieved. Note that the resulting violet will likely differ from what you see on a screen.
Practical Examples:
- Digital Art: In digital design software, you simply mix red and blue in the color picker, adjusting the ratio until you obtain your desired violet.
- Painting: Experiment with mixing different shades of red and blue paints to achieve various violet hues. A video tutorial on creating violet color step-by-step is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODGADcNe-t0.
- Hair Dye: Many hair dye brands offer a specific "violet" shade. One example is Punky Colour's Semi-Permanent Conditioning Hair Color in Violet: https://www.punky.com/semi-permanent-conditioning-hair-color-violet.html.
The Distinction Between Violet and Purple:
It's important to note that violet and purple are often used interchangeably, but there's a subtle difference. Violet is a spectral color, meaning it's a pure color found on the visible light spectrum. Purple, on the other hand, is often a mix of red and blue light or pigments and is not found in the pure spectrum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_(color)
The Rarity of Violet in Nature:
Violet hues are relatively uncommon in nature compared to other colors. This rarity contributed to the later recognition of violet as a distinct color. https://psyche.co/ideas/why-it-took-us-thousands-of-years-to-see-the-colour-violet
