Your Guide to Mixing Blue and Pink

Last updated: February 19, 2024

What color does pink and blue make? That's simple. Purple! But there's a lot more that goes into mixing blue and pink (or any other colors) than simply the end result. When you hear about color mixing, you might think about painting, but you can use this knowledge for crafts like knitting and coloring, or even something like soap making.

mixing blue and pink colored clouds blending into light purple

Mixing colors can enhance any craft or project you're working on, from a coloring book page to home decor. But you'll probably find more success if you understand the theory behind what colors pink and blue make.

Don't worry. It's not as complicated as it may seem. And there's one surefire way to find out what color pink and blue make - try mixing them yourself. It never hurts to experiment and see what happens. In this guide, we'll try to help out by explaining what colors pink and blue make, as well as what tones, tints and shades you can achieve, and how to use these colors in crafts, coloring, and your everyday life.

What Color Does Pink and Blue Make?

Short answer: Purple.

Long answer: It depends.

Mixing blue and pink can yield a whole range of exciting colors. Unlike blue and red (which will make a deep, vibrant purple), blue and pink will yield softer shades. Think lavender and lilac rather than violet. This is partially because blue and red are both primary colors, while pink is not a primary color - it's a shade of red. This results in a bunch of different and exciting lighter shades of purple.

But it isn't just the colors themselves that matter. The medium you use also plays a role. Paint mixes differently than colored pencils, for example. You also need to pay attention to how much of each color you apply. Adding a little pink to a lot of blue will give you a different shade than adding a lot of pink to a little blue or both colors in equal measure. You can always experiment by mixing small amounts slowly to see what color blue and pink make.

Which Purples Do Pink and Blue Make?

That depends on where you start. Using a very pale pink and adding just a little blue will result in a pale, warm color. However, mixing bright blue with pink will have far more vibrancy. You can try consulting a color wheel for guidance. Color wheels are helpful for visualizing different colors and judging how they might complement each other.

mixing blue and pink watercolor color wheel

Whether you take a more cautious approach or just dive in and experiment while crafting, you'll find mixing blue and pink can get you a ton of shades of purple. You might end up with a light lavender or a pink-y mauve. With a deeper blue, you might see shades like eggplant and amethyst. With bright colors, you could get something like magenta or orchid.

Tones, Shades, and Tints

There is a difference between a tone, a shade, and a tint. These values can impact the type of purple you get when mixing blue and pink. The question isn't just “what color do you get mixing pink and blue?” It's also “which tone, shade, and tint do you get mixing pink and blue?”

Tone: The tone is the lightness or darkness of a color. You can change the tone of your blue/pink mixture by adding gray or brown. This will create a more dull color than whatever you started with.

Shade: Shades are, as you might guess, for shadows. That means you're adding black to darken your color. This is good if, after mixing pink and blue, you discover the resulting purple is a bit brighter than what you really want. Just be careful, as it's difficult to make a color lighter again after you've gone dark.

Tint: Finally, tints are lighter colors. If you're painting or coloring, a tint is a good thing to use for a highlight. Just add a bit of white and you'll have a beautiful purple tint.

How to Mix Blue and Pink

First, you may want to refer back to your color wheel. Here, you'll see the three primary colors (red, yellow and blue) as well as the three secondary colors (green, purple and orange). Pay attention to the placement of these colors. For example, blue sits across from orange. That's because they are complementary. Blue and orange often go together, just as yellow and purple often go together.

What does this mean for mixing blue and pink? Blue is a primary color, but pink is a shade, or tertiary color. So when you mix them you aren't getting a brand new color; you're getting shades of blue and pink. You should mix them slowly to make sure you get the precise shade you're looking for.

mixing blue and pink light purple fabric swatches

How to Get the Perfect Purple by Mixing Blue and Pink

Looking for tips on how to mix blue and pink? Here are a few things to help you out, whether you're painting your house or coloring an adult coloring book.

First, it's always easier to make a color darker rather than lighter. Once a color has gotten too dark, you'll have trouble lightening it again. This also means you may not want to add black, even if you aren't getting a dark enough shade. It's better to stick to mixing pink and blue if possible.

Lilac and Lavender

These are pretty light colors, so make sure you start light as well. You should stick to light pink and light blue if you want to create lilac or lavender. Mixing blues and pinks that are too vibrant or dark can mean you don't get the result you want, and as noted above, it's hard to lighten a color after it's already gone dark.

Even Lighter Purples

If you want to go even lighter than lilac and lavender, search for a paler base. You can also add a bit of white. However, you should be careful of that approach since white, like black, can drastically change your colors as you mix them.

Why not try mixing blue and pink on a coloring book page or paint palette to test it out for yourself? If you have paint, colored pencils, or other crafty supplies around, you can do a bit of experimenting before committing to the real deal. This will show you all the interesting shades you can achieve, as well as how the medium affects the end result.

mixing blue and pink lavender and light purple home design

Using Lilac and Lavender in Your Everyday Life

Lilac and lavender aren't just beautiful to look at. They are also great for arts and crafts, as well as home decor. Perhaps you want to paint a cozy nook with a soothing color. Lavender might be just what you're looking for. Add in a lilac blanket, pillows, or even candles to enhance the ambiance.

You can make it more fun by designing your own bath bombs, soaps, or body scrubs that not only use lavender the color, but also lavender the plant. Pairing your creations with lavender towels or candles could set the stage for a cozy, relaxing bath.

But the sky is the limit with these soft purple colors that you mixed from blue and pink. You could use lavender as the basis of a crafty home project like a calendar to keep your household organized or a card for a special occasion. Let your imagination run wild and see what happens.

Use Light Purple on These Mandala Coloring Pages

Mixing blue and pink isn't just for painting. You can use crayons, markers and colored pencils to achieve many of the same effects. Light purples can evoke a tranquility that's perfect for meditation and clearing your mind. Why not try it out with these mandala coloring pages?