How to Make Purple with Acrylics vs Oil Paint

How to Make Bright Purple Paint

Color mixing can be a challenge for beginning artist and seasoned artist alike. Creating the perfect purple can be a challenge, whether you're using acrylics or oil paint. One minute you think you’ve mixed just the right combination of red and blue, only to realize that your purple appears too dull or muddy. So, what makes mixing purple so tricky? In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of the color purple, its history and symbolism, and how to achieve both subtle and vibrant tones using acrylic and oil paint.

Why Isn’t Your Purple Coming Out Right?

If your purple looks off, the issue may lie in the undertones of the colors you’re using. Not all reds and blues behave the same when mixed. For instance, blues with green undertones, such as phthalo blue, often result in a muted purple, while warmer blues like ultramarine produce richer, more vibrant purples. Similarly, reds with yellow undertones, such as cadmium red, tend to muddy your purple, while cooler reds like alizarin crimson lead to cleaner results. The type of paint also matters—acrylics may dry darker than expected, while oils retain their brilliance longer, giving you more flexibility in color blending.

Facts About the Color Purple

History

Purple has a fascinating history tied to luxury, spirituality, and power. In ancient times, the rare and expensive Tyrian purple dye was reserved for royalty and high-ranking officials, which gave rise to the association between purple and nobility. During the Renaissance, purple signified piety and devotion, commonly appearing in religious art. In modern art, purple has been used symbolically to explore themes of spirituality, transformation, and creativity.

Advancements in synthetic pigments during the 19th century introduced brighter and more accessible purples. Artists like Kandinsky and Mark Rothko embraced these new purples to create emotional depth and atmosphere in their works. Today, purple continues to captivate artists with its versatility, balancing both warm and cool tones to convey mystery, elegance, and emotion.

Famous Paintings with Purple

1. Vincent van Gogh – The Starry Night includes deep indigo and violet shades that contribute to its dreamlike atmosphere
2. Claude Monet – His Water Lilies series uses soft lavender to evoke calmness and serenity.
3. Mark Rothko – Rothko’s color field paintings often include rich purples to express introspection and emotional depth.
   
   

What Does Purple Mean in Psychology

Purple represents imagination, spirituality, and transformation. In art, it can evoke mystery and introspection. Light purples like lavender create a soothing effect, while deep purples such as violet convey richness, luxury, or melancholy. This duality makes purple a dynamic color for expressing both subtle emotions and bold statements in your paintings.

What Colors Make Purple?

Purple is created by mixing red and blue. The final hue depends on the specific pigments you use. A cool blue like Ultramarine combined with a cooler red, such as Alizarin Crimson, produces a clean, vibrant purple. In contrast, warm blues or reds can result in muted, earthy purples. Adding white will create lavender or lilac tones, while incorporating black deepens the purple into an indigo or plum.

How to Make Purple Acrylic Paint

Normal Purple

To achieve a standard purple using acrylics, follow these steps:

• Start with Ultramarine Blue, a primary blue, or Cobalt blue as your base color.

Add a cool red like Alizarin Crimson, Primary Red or Quinacridone Red.

• Gradually mix the two colors, adjusting the ratio to find your desired shade.
• Add Titanium White if you want a lighter lavender tone.
• Keep in mind that acrylics dry darker than they appear when wet, so aim for a slightly lighter shade than what you envision.

Pro Tip: Use a palette knife to mix your acrylic paints. This technique ensures even blending and reduces cleanup time.

Bright Purple

For a bold, bright purple:

• Use Dioxazine Purple or mix Magenta with Ultramarine Blue.
• Add a small amount of Titanium White to increase opacity without dulling the color.
• If you want a neon effect, incorporate fluorescent violet or purple into your mixture.

How to Mix Purple Oil Paint

Normal Purple

Creating a vibrant purple in oil paint requires careful pigment selection:

• Start with Ultramarine Blue and mix it with Alizarin Crimson or Permanent Rose.
• Use Zinc White if you want a softer, more translucent purple. Zinc White is less opaque than Titanium White, giving your purple a subtle glow.
• Take advantage of oil paint’s longer drying time by blending colors directly on the canvas to fine-tune your shade.
  
  

Bright Purple

For a luminous purple that stands out:

• Use a base of quinacridone magenta or permanent rose.
• Add Ultramarine Blue to deepen the hue and create a Vibrant Purple.
• Incorporate fluorescent pigments if you want an electric or neon purple effect.
• Apply the mixture in thin layers or glazes to enhance depth and radiance.
  
  

Tips for Vibrant Purples

• Avoid muddying your purple: Stay away from earth-toned reds and blues like cadmium red or phthalo blue. These pigments have yellow and green undertones, which can dull your purple.
• Use complementary colors strategically: Adding a hint of yellow to purple can neutralize overly intense shades, but placing yellow accents near your purple will enhance its vibrancy.
• Paint on a white or light-colored ground: Dark surfaces will absorb light, dulling the brilliance of your purple hues.

Check out this tutorial to learn more about color mixing. 

Mastering purple with acrylic and oil paint takes practice, patience, and an understanding of pigments. Whether you’re aiming for a soft lavender or a deep, regal violet, the key lies in selecting the right blue and red pigments and balancing white and black carefully. Small adjustments, such as adding fluorescent pigments or using complementary colors, can transform your purples from ordinary to extraordinary.

Color mixing is an essential skill for any artist, unlocking endless creative possibilities. To take your skills further, consider enrolling in our Mastery Program ****and gain the confidence to mix any hue with mastery.

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Embrace the challenge of perfecting purple in your work, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different mediums and techniques. The magic lies in your hands—let your creativity shine!