You can create various shades of purple by adjusting the mixture of red, blue, white, and black.
Understanding Purple Shades
The base of any purple shade comes from mixing red and blue. However, to achieve different values, meaning how light or dark the purple is, you must incorporate white and black.
Lightening Purple
To obtain lighter shades of purple, like periwinkle:
- Add white: The more white you add to your base purple (red and blue mixture), the lighter the resulting shade will be.
Darkening Purple
To achieve darker purple hues, such as deep violet:
- Add black: Incorporating black will progressively darken your base purple mixture. The more black added, the darker the shade will become.
Creating Specific Purple Shades
Here is a table summarizing how to make different shades of purple:
| Shade | Description | Mixture |
|---|---|---|
| Light Purple | Paler and brighter | Base purple + more white |
| Medium Purple | Balance between light and dark | Base purple |
| Dark Purple | Deep, rich, saturated tone | Base purple + more black |
Practical Tips
- Start with a small amount of white or black and gradually add more until you achieve your desired shade.
- Mixing small amounts at a time prevents accidentally overdoing the tint you are trying to create.
- Keep track of the ratios you use to help you recreate specific shades again.
