Color spec
| Brand | Behr |
| Name | Expressionism |
| SKU | MQ5-49 |
| Hex | #3A487E |
| RGB | 58, 72, 126 |
| HSL | 228°, 37%, 36% |
| LRV | 7 |
| Undertone | cool blue tone |
| Family | Blue |
About Behr Expressionism
At LRV 7, Expressionism 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 blue 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.
Expressionism earns its keep as a statement: accent walls, a front door, cabinetry, a moody powder room, or exterior trim where you want sharp contrast. Blues calm a room, which makes them popular in bedrooms, bathrooms and home offices.
Closest matches by brand
11 brands within ΔE 5The closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Only colors within ΔE 5 (close enough to substitute on a wall) are shown — brands with no real match are left off. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all blue from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Glidden
Dutch Boy
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Diamond Vogel
Hirshfield's
Kompozit
Similar Behr colors
closest in the Behr deckThe nearest shades to Expressionism within Behr's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #3A487E in HSL space. Pair Expressionism with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
Behr Expressionism Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Expressionism from a different paint counter? Below is the single closest color in each major US deck and how close it really is. Remember that any paint store can also custom-tint Behr MQ5-49 directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Expressionism
Sherwin-Williams's nearest match is Morning Glory (SW 6971), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.33). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 8 vs 7) and carries a cool blue undertone, so it substitutes for Expressionism without repainting risk. See the full Morning Glory swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Expressionism
At Benjamin Moore, the closest color to Expressionism is Basic Blue (CC-968) — very close at ΔE 2.04, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 8 vs 7) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Basic Blue swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Expressionism
At Valspar, the closest color to Expressionism is Merlin's Robes (8001-47G) — very close at ΔE 2.83, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 6 vs 7) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Merlin's Robes swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Expressionism
At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Expressionism is Daring Indigo (PPG1166-7) — very close at ΔE 2.01, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 7 vs 7) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Daring Indigo swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Expressionism
At Glidden, the closest color to Expressionism is Daring Indigo (PPG1166-7) — very close at ΔE 2.07, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 7 vs 7) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Daring Indigo swatch →
Dutch Boy Equivalent of Expressionism
Dutch Boy's nearest match is Rich Indigo (141-7DB), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.33). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 8 vs 7) and carries a cool blue undertone, so it substitutes for Expressionism without repainting risk. See the full Rich Indigo swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Expressionism
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams has no exact twin of Expressionism. The nearest is Quark (HGSW 1401) at ΔE 3.51 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 6 vs 7). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Quark swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Expressionism
Dunn-Edwards's nearest match is Indigo Night (DEA138), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.71). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 6 vs 7) and carries a cool blue undertone, so it substitutes for Expressionism without repainting risk. See the full Indigo Night swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Expressionism
At Diamond Vogel, the closest color to Expressionism is Florida Waters (0599) — very close at ΔE 2.25, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 7 vs 7) and carries a cool blue undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Florida Waters swatch →
Hirshfield's Equivalent of Expressionism
Hirshfield's has no exact twin of Expressionism. The nearest is Florida Waters (0599) at ΔE 3.62 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 8 vs 7). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Florida Waters swatch →
Kompozit Equivalent of Expressionism
Kompozit has no exact twin of Expressionism. The nearest is Florida Waters (0599) at ΔE 3.62 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 7 vs 7). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Florida Waters swatch →