Illusionist
MQ5-38 · #574F68 · LRV 9 — cool blue tone, very dark — reads black in most rooms.
- 1Liberty Blue1
- 2Illusionist9
- 3Blue Nova17
- 4Gothic Purple24
What Color Is Illusionist, Really?
Illusionist reads as a cool blue tone — very dark — reads black in most rooms. The notes below cover how Behr MQ5-38 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Illusionist
Illusionist 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 Illusionist
At LRV 9, Illusionist 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 Illusionist 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 MQ5-38 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 | Ripe BerrySW 9689 · Sherwin-Williams | 4.4 | 10 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Dark Lilac2070-30 · Benjamin Moore | 2.6 | 10 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | Magic SpellPPG1173-7 · PPG / Glidden | 1.4 | 8 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Magic SpellPPG1173-7 · Glidden | 1.5 | 8 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Pleasing Purple344-6DB · Dutch Boy | 1.7 | 9 | Color page → |
| Dunn-Edwards | Purple PotionDE5958 · Dunn-Edwards | 2.1 | 9 | Color page → |
Similar Behr Colors
The nearest shades to Illusionist 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 #574F68 in HSL space. Pair Illusionist with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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