What Colors Make Purple? Guide On How To Make Purple

Purple is a rich, versatile color that can add depth and elegance to any painting. From soft lavenders to deep royal purples, knowing how to mix the perfect shade is essential for any artist. In this guide, we’ll break down the science of color mixing, explore different ways to create purple, and show you how Drawlish Acrylic Paints and the Drawlish Paint Palette can help you achieve flawless results.

The Basics: How to Make Purple

At its core, purple is created by mixing red and blue. However, the type of red and blue you choose plays a major role in the final shade.

Choosing the Right Red and Blue

• For a bold, true purple: Mix magenta with ultramarine blue.
  

• For a deep, moody purple: Combine alizarin crimson with ultramarine blue.
  

• For a soft lavender: Blend cobalt blue with rose red and a touch of white.
  

• For a muted, earthy purple: Use cadmium red with cobalt blue (this mix will have brown undertones).

If your purple looks dull or muddy, it’s likely because your red contains yellow, which is purple’s complementary color. Avoid overly warm reds like cadmium red when aiming for vibrant purples.

Quick Red Mixing Cheat Sheet

How to Adjust Your Purple

Once you've created your base purple, you can refine it by making small adjustments:

• To lighten it: Add titanium white for a pastel or lavender shade.
  

• To darken it: Mix in a touch of black or ultramarine blue for a deeper tone.
  

• To warm it up: Add more red or a drop of pink to make a richer, warmer purple.
  

• To cool it down: Increase the amount of blue for a cooler, more bluish-purple.
  

Pro Tip: Use the Drawlish Paint Palette for Effortless Blending

The Drawlish Paint Palette makes it easy to experiment with different shades of purple. Its smooth surface is perfect for blending, helping you mix colors seamlessly without wasting paint.

The Best Paints for Mixing Purple

For professional-quality color mixing, Drawlish Acrylic Paints are the perfect choice. These premium paints provide high pigment concentration, smooth consistency, and excellent blending properties. To mix the perfect purple, we recommend:

• Magenta: The best red for vibrant, rich purples.
  

• Ultramarine Blue: A deep blue that pairs well with magenta for bold purples.
  

• Titanium White: Essential for creating soft pastel purples.
  

With Drawlish Acrylic Paints, you can achieve pure, vivid purples without the risk of dull or muddy tones.

Mixing the perfect purple is all about understanding color relationships and experimenting with different shades. Whether you want a deep royal purple or a delicate lilac, the right combination of red and blue will help you achieve the perfect hue.

FAQs About Making Purple Paint

Why does my purple look muddy instead of bright?

If your purple looks dull, it’s likely because you used a warm red like cadmium red, which contains yellow. Yellow and purple are complementary colors, meaning they neutralize each other. To get a vibrant purple, use magenta or alizarin crimson instead.

How do I make a neon or electric purple?

For a bold, high-energy purple, mix quinacridone magenta with phthalo blue and add a small amount of white to increase vibrancy. These high-chroma pigments create the brightest purples.

What’s the best way to make pastel purple?

To create a soft lavender or pastel purple, mix your base purple with titanium white. The more white you add, the lighter the shade will be. You can also add a touch of rose red for a warmer pastel purple.

How do I make dark purple without it looking black?

Instead of adding black, which can dull the color, try mixing your purple with ultramarine blue or deep violet. These will create a rich, dark purple while maintaining color depth.

What colors make purple pop in a painting?

If you want purple to stand out, pair it with its complementary color, yellow. A golden yellow background will make purple look more vibrant. You can also use greens and blues for a harmonious effect.