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Grays
Artist’s Charcoal
Artist’s Charcoal is a very deep, cool neutral color with a faint blue undertone. Its estimated light reflectance value (LRV) is about 4.1, so it reflects roughly 4% of the light that hits it.
Color facts
| Hex | #37393E |
|---|---|
| RGB | 55, 57, 62 |
| HSL | 223°, 6%, 23% |
| Estimated LRV | 4.1 |
| Temperature | cool neutral |
| Text on it | White text, contrast 11.6:1 |
LRV here is estimated from the screen color (relative luminance). Paint brands publish measured LRVs on their own chips, which can differ.
How it reads on a wall
Close to black on the wall. Best for doors, window frames, cabinetry, a single accent wall or exterior trim. Needs strong light and careful sheen choice.
North-facing rooms get cool, indirect light that can push this color cooler and grayer. Test it there before committing, or pick a slightly warmer cousin.
South- and west-facing rooms get warm, strong light, which this cooler color can calm.
Rooms it suits
- Front doors and interior doors
- Cabinetry and built-ins
- Window frames and exterior trim
- One accent wall in a well-lit room
A 60-30-10 palette built on Artist’s Charcoal
Anti-Flash White
Artist’s Charcoal
Black Olive
The 60-30-10 rule splits a room into a main color, a secondary color and an accent. Swap in real paint and fabric samples before you buy.
Harmonies
Complementary
Black Olive#3B3C36Analogous
After Midnight#38393FAnalogous
Wet Concrete#353838Triadic
Dark Charcoal#333232Triadic
Black Olive#3B3C36Split complementary
Black Olive#3B3C36Tints and shades
Lighter tints work as a ceiling or adjoining-room color; deeper shades suit trim, doors or cabinets.
Similar named colors
Closest Colors of the Year
Getting Artist’s Charcoal in real paint
Artist’s Charcoal is a name from the open color-names list (MIT license), not a specific paint product. Most paint counters can mix a close match: bring a printed or physical sample, or use a brand color-match tool, then buy a sample pot and paint a 2 by 2 foot swatch on two walls. Screens and printers shift color.
On-screen colors are approximations. Pantone, Color of the Year and brand color names are trademarks of their owners.