Black red vs Artichoke
Where Black red belongs to RAL Classic's range, Artichoke is a Sherwin-Williams color. Black red reads as pink-red, while Artichoke reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Artichoke (LRV 21) reflects noticeably more light than Black red (LRV 5), a difference of 16 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 43.7, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Black red vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Black red and Artichoke in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
House
Seen across an entire facade, subtle tonal differences become pronounced. What reads as nearly the same on a chip often reads as clearly different at scale. Artichoke reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Black red.
Color Details
Black red vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Black red on one side and Artichoke 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 Black red comparisons
See how Black red stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
