As we learned in “What Colors Make Blue?” there are many different shades of blue color beyond the primary option. They have wonderful names and uses, too.
I am an artist and teacher named Ms. Marshall who has spent many years doing experiments and hand-drawn illustrations to add to our giant color mixing chart. I hope this article is useful to you for picking the perfectly fitting shade.
Mixing for Color Options
In order to create pigments that diverge from the classic primary blue, we can add white to make it lighter (creating hues like baby blue — a pastel perfect for Easter egg drawing, an infant’s room, or anywhere that we want gentle softness).
If we mix in black, we can yield a darker shade like navy or midnight blue color that projects power and professionalism. Paint, fashion, art, and hair dye companies are brilliant at creating evocative names for different versions, from “Power Blue” to “Icy Frost.”
Meanwhile, the bright and bold intermediate colors teal and indigo are created by adding green or purple, respectively. Now, how do we create a more neutral, dusty, or muddy version of this color?
Less Bold Shades of Blue
Because the opposite of blue is orange in the RYB color model, when you mix any version of that into your blue, you’ll start cancelling out the boldness and turn things more gray or brown. Let’s see an in-depth chart of different kinds of blue to find the best for what you’re seeking…
Shades of Blue
There are so many different shades of blue color, and their names are delightful, too! See how to make each, with descriptions of what they can be used for, and click through to see more.
Indigo Blue
By adding purple to blue, you can get the gorgeous intermediate color called indigo. Adding a bit of black to it creates even more dark intensity. This color often has regal and mystical associations.
Teal Blue
Mixing blue with green yields a fantastic and versatile color called teal. I find this color to be excellent for fashion, design, and decor because it's playful and welcoming without being too flashy. As a cool color, it feels natural and calming: a combination of green hills and blue oceans and skies.
Azure Blue
You know that vibrant, clear blue that's the color of a perfectly clear midday sky? That's called azure blue! You can make it by mixing blue with a little bit of white to lighten the hue, then adding a tiny bit of yellow or green.
Navy Blue and Midnight
Navy blue is a dark shade of blue that is achieved by adding in black. It is fabulously versatile for art and clothing because it's professional-looking without being boring. If you continue adding in even more black, you'll get a blue so deep that it's nearly black -- the color of the night sky.
Periwinkle Blue
Swirl together blue with a dash of pink or light purple and you get the soft pastel purplish-blue color, periwinkle. This is an excellent hue for spring and winter fashion because it's soft and muted, but happy.
Dusty Blue
Want a softer brownish-gray blue? Add in different types of brown and you get comforting, earthy tones of darker blue or teal that are cozy for winter decor and fashion.
Slate Blue
The very dusty and muted gray-blue called slate blue can be achieved by mixing together the colors purple and green. The result is so muddy that it is hard to tell that it's even blue.
Shades of Blue, in Sum
Which were your favorite of these shades of blue? Do you enjoy azure color — the hue of a perfectly clear daytime sky? Or do you prefer more rare, unique, and new pigments?
I personally love teal and indigo — but I’m partial to bright colors. Other friends of mine prefer the dustier gray options in their decor and fashion. What are your preferences, and why? Do share!
Want more? Check out the many different shades of orange color out there…
The author and artist, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has been a public school educator since 2003, and an experienced Reiki practitioner since 2018. All art on this site is original and hand-drawn by Lillie. She launched DrawingsOf.com Educational Cartoons in 2020, building upon the success of her other sites, AroundTheWorldL.com (established 2009), TeachingTraveling.com (founded 2010), and ReikiColors.com. Subscribe to Lillie’s monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media to stay connected!
