04/06/2024
Shades of Blue
As humanity's technology improves, so does our ability to harness and develop more color variations. We got our first blue dyes and pigments from woad and indigo in the past but now (as of writing this article) we have 23 true shades of blue.
One thing to note:
While the colors azure and cyan may seem like shades of blue, they aren't considered true shades of blue – so they won't be included here.
1. Periwinkle
Periwinkle, a.k.a lavender blue, is a very light purplish-blue. This color is derived from the periwinkle flower.
2. Ultramarine
Ultramarine is a vivid blue color derived from the precious stone lapis lazuli.

It was, at one point, considered the most expensive blue pigment known to artists in Europe.
3. Liberty
Liberty is a strong blue color. Its first recorded use as a blue color in English was in 1918.
4. Navy Blue
Navy is a vivid blue color.

This color got its name from its use by the Royal Navy in 1748.
5. Space Cadet
Space cadet is a dark blue and is one of the colors on the Resene Color List (popular in Australia and New Zealand). This color was formulated in 2007.
6. Blurple
There are two hues of blurple. The earlier one was a brilliant purplish-blue hue while the latter one is a vivid purplish-blue.
7. Cool Black
Cool black is a very dark shade of blue. It's one of the Pantone colors.
Paint Purchased after Viewing this Post
Modifying Blue Acrylic Paints
Now that you've got a better understanding of the color blue, from its history to its different variations, it's time to learn how to modify it yourself.
As artists, we usually look for the right shade of color to really make our painting pop. If you don't happen to have the exact shade of blue you need, here's how you can modify your blue acrylic paint to achieve your desired shade.
How to Create Warmer Shades of Blue
If you're looking to make a warm shade of blue, odds are you're already using ultramarine.

While this color is already warm, you c
