Artistic License
MQ5-39 · #453F56 · LRV 5 — cool blue tone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1Artistic License5
- 2Blue Nova17
- 3Gothic Purple24
What Color Is Artistic License, Really?
Artistic License reads as a cool blue tone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Behr MQ5-39 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Artistic License
Artistic License earns its keep as a statement: accent walls, a front door, cabinetry, a moody powder room, or exterior trim where you want sharp contrast. Purples range from restful (bedrooms) to dramatic (powder rooms) depending on depth.
How Lighting Changes Artistic License
At LRV 5, Artistic License is about as dark as paint gets — it reads near-black on a wall and reveals its character only in direct daylight or under warm bulbs. Its violet undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. In rooms with little natural light it can feel heavy, so reserve it for spaces you want to feel enveloping.
Most complaints about Artistic License are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Behr MQ5-39 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | Majestic PurpleSW 6545 · Sherwin-Williams | 4.0 | 5 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Plum Royale2070-20 · Benjamin Moore | 1.9 | 6 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Emperor8003-48G · Valspar | 3.6 | 6 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | BlackberryPPG1172-7 · PPG / Glidden | 3.0 | 6 | Color page → |
| Glidden | BlackberryPPG1172-7 · Glidden | 2.9 | 6 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Jellied342-7DB · Dutch Boy | 2.0 | 6 | Color page → |
Similar Behr Colors
The nearest shades to Artistic License within Behr's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #453F56 in HSL space. Pair Artistic License with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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