Dorian Gray
T511 · #87817B · LRV 22.2 — neutral with no strong undertone, dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs.
- 1Black Fox7
- 2Pewter Green12
- 3Dorian Gray22.2
- 4Stardew43
- 5Quietude48
What Color Is Dorian Gray, Really?
Dorian Gray reads as a neutral with no strong undertone — dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs. The notes below cover how Valspar T511 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Grays like this read as a modern neutral and sit comfortably alongside both warm woods and cool metals.
How Lighting Changes Dorian Gray
With an LRV of 22.2, Dorian Gray is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Because it carries almost no measurable hue, it stays a true neutral and pairs cleanly with nearly any trim or floor. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
Most complaints about Dorian Gray 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 Valspar T511 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 | Going GreySW 9554 · Sherwin-Williams | 1.8 | 22 | Color page → |
| Behr | Chocolate ChiffonBNC-22 · Behr | 1.4 | 22 | Color page → |
| Benjamin Moore | Tweed CoatCSP-85 · Benjamin Moore | 1.9 | 22 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | SteamshipPPG0996-5 · PPG / Glidden | 3.7 | 22 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Grey Tweed30YY 22/059 · Glidden | 1.1 | 22 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Lab Gray447-4DB · Dutch Boy | 4.1 | 22 | Color page → |
Similar Valspar Colors
The nearest shades to Dorian Gray within Valspar'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 #87817B in HSL space. Pair Dorian Gray with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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