By combining the colors blue and red , we create purple. The precise hue of purple you achieve is totally up to you and totally dependent on the proportions of red and blue you use. A different purple can be achieved by adding more of either red or blue to the mix. Let’s take a closer look at what colors make purple and how you can create some of the many wonderful shades of purple that exist. You can use the colors created in this guide for any type of design work. We’ll show you which shades of red and blue paint to use, how to mix them up to create a true purple , and how to add different colors to make dark and light shades. If you’re ready to make purple paint, read on!