Dock Blue vs Black Swan
Dock Blue (Little Greene) and Black Swan (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Dock Blue reads as blue, while Black Swan reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 4 vs 4 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Dock Blue leans blue, Black Swan reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 5.6 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Dock Blue vs Black Swan in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Dock Blue and Black Swan are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Black Swan brings more warmth to the space, while Dock Blue keeps things cooler and crisper.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Dock Blue reads more restrained here, while Black Swan adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Dock Blue vs Black Swan Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Dock Blue on one side and Black Swan on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Dock Blue comparisons
See how Dock Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 4), opening up a space where Dock Blue encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 4, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 4, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 4, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 4), opening up a space where Dock Blue encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 4), opening up a space where Dock Blue encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 4, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 4), opening up a space where Dock Blue encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 4), opening up a space where Dock Blue encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 4, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 4), opening up a space where Dock Blue encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 4), opening up a space where Dock Blue encloses it.
Pewter Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Duck Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 8 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 4), opening up a space where Dock Blue encloses it.
Vintage Vogue reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 4), opening up a space where Dock Blue encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 4, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.