Blues with a violet hue, often used for shadows and gray mixes.
Color List
- Ultramarine Blue (PB29) ⭐ – also appears on Dark Blue, Earth Blue
- Cobalt Blue Deep (PB72 or PB74) – also appears on Earth Blue
- Indanthrone Blue (PB60) ⭐ – also appears on Dark Blue
Note: you will find a discussion of WN Smalt in my color spotlight for Ultramarine Violet (PV15).
My thoughts
Necessary slot? Yes, although there is potentially some scope to replace with another dark blue, since mixing darks is often the function of a violet blue. The great thing about violet blues is that they mix wonderful grays and blacks and browns when paired with orange or earth orange (using earth orange is easier in my opinion). Of course, they also mix great purples and add lovely violet-blue tones to shadows.
Favorites: DS Indanthrone Blue is my classic favorite, functioning equally as a violet-blue and a dark blue. Other brands’ indanthrenes are often a more cyan hue that is not as good. Ultramarine Blue is most people’s choice and is certainly an extremely good blue with a wide range of mixing ability, though I find it a bit of a show-stealer. IMO Cobalt Blue Deep is just expensive Ultramarine Blue.
See Also
- Indanthrone Blue vs. Indanthrene Blue
- What’s the difference between Cobalt Blue and Ultramarine Blue?
Similar Slots
- Violet
- Middle Blue
- Dark Blue
- Earth Blue
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