What Color Does Red and Purple Make? – Unique Purple Shades

Red and purple might seem like vastly different colors, as red is warm and energetic while purple is cool and calming. However, they have a lot in common. A red and purple combination might not be all that popular when used together in designs, however, purple mixed with red actually provides a unique and appealing color. What color does red and purple make, then? The answer might surprise you. Read further to find out!

What Color Does Red and Purple Make?

In general, purple mixed with red will create another shade of purple. The precise shade can vary due to the shades of red and purple used and also depends on the ratios used for each color. So, you can get a mixture that is either more purple-red or something that is reddish-purple. The color could also be deeper and richer like Tyrian purple or lighter like mauve.

However, since you are adding more red to the mixture, it will lean more towards a reddish-purple like the rose red or deep magenta.

Mixing Results for Different Shades of Red and Purple

Understanding Red and Purple As Colors

Red and purple take up different places in the world of color theory. When using the traditional, or RYB color model, red is classified as a primary color. This means red cannot be mixed and stands on its own, along with yellow and blue. Secondary colors are made when two of these colors are mixed. So, you will get orange if you mix red and yellow, while blue and yellow make green. The last secondary color is a mixture of red and blue, which makes purple. This color system is often used when mixing paints.

All colors also tend to have a color bias, meaning a color can either be warm or cool. Red, along with yellow, and orange are easily recognized as warm hues, while purple, green, and blue are cool colors.

On the other hand, certain types, or shades of red can also have warmer and cooler undertones, the same for different shades of purple. So, purple mixed with red will create another shade of purple that can have different undertones, depending on the specific colors and proportions used. Some might have more of a red undertone, while others may have more of a blue undertone. However, there will always be a certain amount between warm and cool.

In color theory and when viewing the color wheel, these cool and warm colors can be found on different sides. Red, yellow, and orange are on one side, and green, blue, and purple are all on the other side. A reddish-purple will sit closer to the color red, creating a less contrasting color combination than a cooler purple with a blue undertone. So, it can be considered more of an analogous color combination, which consists of neighboring colors.

Meaning of Red

Red is a very stimulating and energetic color that is strongly associated with love and passion. Since red has the longest color wavelength, it is one of the more visible colors. Red stands out and is often used as a warning color, for example, red traffic lights. An obvious warm color that is also perceived as strong, powerful, confident, motivating, and courageous. The color red can also have a physical effect by raising the heart rate and blood pressure.

Red is also known to help increase appetite and metabolism, which is why many restaurants incorporate the color into their business.

Red can be a dominating color that also has a few undesirable associations. Red can be a sign of aggression and anger. However, as with all colors, there can be different meanings. For example, in certain Eastern cultures, red is seen as a sign of happiness and luck. In other African countries, red may even be seen as a sign of mourning.

Meaning of Purple

Purple is a combination of red and blue, so it might also be associated with some of these color meanings. Red provides energy and stimulation, while blue balances things out with its calming properties. In general, purple is often associated with things like royalty and nobility, due to its use in history as a rare color of dye. However, it is also considered a mysterious and spiritual color that often inspires imagination and creativity.

Darker shades of purple provide a more luxurious effect, while light purple shades are more feminine and nostalgic.

Darker purples can also be associated with sadness, while too much purple in general can be perceived as being too emotional, immature, and sensitive. In certain European cultures, purple like black is a symbol of mourning. In the United States, purple is also seen as a color associated with courage and honor.

Mixing Red and Purple Paint

We have briefly dealt with red and purple, red being a primary color, while purple is a secondary color. This color model also uses subtractive color mixing, where certain color wavelengths are absorbed, and the color you see is the one being reflected. Moving on from mixing primary colors, you can take it a step further and mix a primary and secondary color to create a tertiary color. Others might prefer the term intermediate colors.

By doing this, you get red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green, yellow-green, yellow-orange, and red-orange. Instead of these descriptive colors, there are also specific color names.

• Red-purple is magenta
• Blue-purple is violet
• Blue-green is teal
• Yellow-green is chartreuse
• Yellow-orange is amber
• Red-orange is vermilion

When mixing red and purple combinations, you will need to experiment and create your own color palette as there are many shades of red, blue, and purple. You can choose a red and mix this with a purple you can get in a tube. However, each manufacturer has different formulas, so you are not guaranteed to get the results you are looking for. So, it is always best to mix individual colors from the start.

This means choosing colors, for example, a warm red like cadmium red and a warm blue like ultramarine blue, or a cool red like alizarin crimson and a cool blue like phthalo blue. Both these options will create a different shade of purple. You can also consider cobalt blue and cadmium red. Of course, you can also alter the colors by adding more red to create a red-purple or magenta. Also, take note that the magenta paint mixture might be different to the magenta displayed on the table provided above.

Creating Lighter and Darker Shades

To create lighter or darker shades, you can simply add white to the shade of purple. This is also known as a color tint, and you might have to add quite a bit of white to your purple before you begin to see a difference. In most cases, the shade of purple you create, unless you use a light red and blue, will be medium to dark to begin with. However, to create a shade, you can add very small amounts of black to darken the color more.

Adding more blue can also help to darken the blue more subtly but go slowly, as you do not want to shift the red-purple to blue-purple.

Meaning of Red-Purple

A red and purple combination is generally known as “magenta”, which combines the energy and warmth of red with the coolness of purple. Magenta is often associated with harmony and is a symbol of kindness and change. It is also seen as a more gentle and friendly color that can be perceived as a supporting and encouraging color. Magenta is also a color that represents spirituality, imagination, and creativity.

However, too much magenta can become irritating and can be associated with impatience and anger.

Understanding Red and Purple in Other Color Models

There is more than just one color model. The RYB color model we have been dealing with is the more traditional system. The more modern RGB color model is often used when combining various color lights, which can be seen on things like your cellphone screen. This uses additive color mixing, where colored lights are layered to produce a perceived hue. In this model, the primary hues include red, green, and blue.

The secondary options are a little different and include cyan, magenta, and yellow, and the tertiary colors are as follows.

• Blue and magenta make violet
• Cyan and blue make azure
• Magenta and red make rose
• Red and yellow make orange
• Yellow and green make chartreuse
• Green and cyan make spring green

Purple and violet are often used interchangeably, however, there is a slight difference. As you can see in the table, purple is made from half red and half blue, while violet contains slightly more blue than red. Maybe not much of a difference in theory, but it is noticeable when these colors are placed next to each other.

 In this model, purple is referred to as violet. So, red remains a primary color, while purple or violet is now a tertiary color. So, if you combine red and purple light, you should get a brighter magenta than the paint version. As you can see in the table below, magenta is a combination of 100 percent red and blue.

Printing Color Model

Another model that is used for printing purposes uses cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMYK) as the primary hues. The secondary hues include red, green, and blue. This color model also uses subtractive color mixing. However, to obtain red which is now a secondary color, you must mix magenta and yellow. The general purple with the hex code #800080 can be described as a dark magenta, which simply has black added to the magenta.

Best Uses for Red and Purple in Art and Design

Red and purple are two colors that grab your attention and can be used together to create an appealing color palette. In painting, red helps to establish a mood and is perfect for drawing a viewer’s attention. Purple can also be used to create contrast, but it can also provide depth to a painting. Many artists now also prefer to use the CMYK color model when painting, making magenta an essential part of the color process. Let us see what other uses these colors have in other industries.

Graphic Design and Branding

Colors have been used in advertising and branding for many years, to help encourage customers and clients to purchase products and services. Graphic designs and other means of advertising use the meaning of colors to create attractive websites, logos, and other materials. Red used alone can provide an exciting and energetic look that is often used as a call to action in many cases. For example, a red button on a webpage that goes through to a purchase. As mentioned, red is also an appetite stimulant, which is perfect for those in the food industry.

Purple can also be used for branding purposes, but its association is more with luxury and sophistication.

Lighter purples are perceived as being more fun and youthful. Magenta is a color that can help to inspire support and represents balance or harmony. The color is mainly aimed at female customers and creates a friendly and warm look. There are many other different shades and variations of these colors, which can have different meanings for different people. So, it is always best to do a lot of research before choosing your brand colors.

Fashion Design

Red and purple by themselves can create some appealing designs in fashion. However, red and purple used in combination can clash. Today, that does not seem to stop anybody who wants to create a new and eye-catching look. Again, there are different shades you can choose from, and you can provide a more subtle contrast by using these colors as accents.

Viva magenta is the chosen color for 2023. A vibrant and strong color that will definitely make a statement.

The color is popular because it is associated with energy, power, strength, and confidence. The color can easily be used for more formal attire or add a pop of color to a more casual look. For example, a pair of blue jeans, and a white shirt, with an added magenta color blazer.

Interior Design

Red and purple interior designs might seem like a bad idea, as the colors can clash. However, if used properly, you can create a nice balance between the warm and cool colors, and of course, you can choose a warmer red-purple that should go better with red. Consider choosing a neutral color scheme and adding pops of red and purple color. This can be achieved by including cushions, rugs, or other accessories. You can also consider using lighter or darker shades of these colors.

If you are looking to go bolder, you can consider using red or purple as your wall color. You can also bring magenta into the mix to create a striking color palette. Just remember, to help, consider following the 60, 30, and 10 rule when working with colors. 

Magenta is also a great color to use on its own, as it can provide an interesting accent color. Magenta works well with other bold colors like navy blue, teal, or even emerald green, but it always goes well with neutrals like white, gray, and brown. The color can easily be added as an accent color for bedding, soft furnishings, or drapes that can add a touch of luxury to any space. Magenta can also be used as a wall color, or if this is too much, consider an accent wall.

Purple mixed with red is a fairly easy combination, and you can most probably guess that it will result in another shade of purple. However, the red-purple or magenta color that is created can differ according to the shade and proportions used in the mixing process. So, if you are considering mixing red and purple, make sure to have fun with creating the many variations that are possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Color Does Red and Purple Make?

In the traditional color model, red is the primary hue while purple is considered a secondary hue. Mixing these two will produce a tertiary color, referred to as red-purple or magenta. When mixing these colored lights in the RGB color model, you will also get a brighter shade of magenta.

Are Purple and Violet the Same Color?

Purple is often the name used in the traditional color model when mixing paints, while violet is a spectral color that is used in the RGB color model. Purple appears darker than violet and contains equal amounts of red and blue. Violet is lighter and contains more blue than red. They also each have their own identifying color hex code.

Is Magenta a Cool or Warm Color?

In theory, the color magenta is found on the color wheel between blue and red. It is considered a red with a blue bias, which means that it is a cool color.

Charlene Lewis( Content Creator and Creativity Writer )

In 2005, Charlene completed her Wellness Diplomas in Therapeutic Aromatherapy and Reflexology from the International School of Reflexology and Meridian Therapy. She worked for a company offering corporate wellness programs for a couple of years, before opening up her own therapy practice. It was in 2015 that a friend, who was a digital marketer, asked her to join her company as a content creator, and this is where she found her excitement for writing.

Since joining the content writing world, she has gained a lot of experience over the years writing on a diverse selection of topics, from beauty, health, wellness, travel, and more. Due to various circumstances, she had to close her therapy practice and is now a full-time freelance writer. Being a creative person, she could not pass up the opportunity to contribute to the Art in Context team, where is was in her element, writing about a variety of art and craft topics. Contributing articles for over three years now, her knowledge in this area has grown, and she has gotten to explore her creativity and improve her research and writing skills.

Charlene Lewis has been working for artincontext.org since the relaunch in 2020. She is an experienced writer and mainly focuses on the topics of color theory, painting and drawing.

Learn more about Charlene Lewis and the Art in Context Team.