Black Russian
General Information about Black Russian (#18001B)
#18001B, also known as Black Russian, is a very dark, muted shade of purple or violet. It is composed of 9.41% red, 0% green, and 10.59% blue. In the RGB color space, it has the numerical values of 24, 0, and 27, respectively. It sits close to black on the color spectrum due to its low overall brightness. The color evokes feelings of mystery, sophistication, and perhaps even a bit of melancholy. It is a color that is rarely found in nature, further contributing to its sense of the unconventional. Its hexadecimal representation makes it easy to implement in digital design, although care should be taken to ensure adequate contrast with other elements for accessibility.
The hex color #18001B, also known as Black Russian, presents considerable accessibility challenges, especially for users with visual impairments. Its extremely low luminance makes it difficult to perceive text or graphical elements rendered in this color against a dark or even moderately light background. According to WCAG guidelines, it would fail most contrast ratio tests for normal-sized text. Therefore, it is highly discouraged to use this color for essential visual information. If it is used as a design element, ensure there is sufficient contrast with surrounding colors (at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text). Pairing it with very light colors like whites or light yellows is necessary to achieve adequate contrast. Alternatives should be considered whenever possible to promote inclusive design.
Shades
Digital Color Formats
Alternative colors
Applications
Web Design
In web design, #18001B can be used sparingly as a background color for sections where a dramatic or mysterious feel is desired. Due to its darkness, it should primarily be used with light-colored text or accents to ensure readability and accessibility. It might be suitable for headers or decorative elements in portfolios or websites related to art, music, or entertainment where a bold, unconventional aesthetic is valued. However, avoiding its use for main body text or crucial UI elements is important.
Fashion
In the fashion industry, #18001B can be used as a dominant color in evening wear, particularly in velvet or satin fabrics, to create a luxurious and sophisticated look. It can also be used as an accent color in accessories like handbags, shoes, or jewelry to add a touch of understated elegance. Its deep, rich tone makes it suitable for creating a bold and memorable statement, especially when paired with contrasting colors like gold or silver.
Interior Design
For interior design, #18001B can be used as an accent wall color in a room with ample natural light, or as a color for furniture upholstery to add depth and sophistication to a space. Consider it for home theaters or studies. It can be paired with lighter colors to balance the darkness. It’s crucial to balance this dark shade with adequate lighting and lighter complementary colors to prevent the space from feeling too enclosed or somber. The color works well on small surfaces like picture frames or vases.