RAL 640-3 vs Artichoke
RAL 640-3 (RAL Effect) and Artichoke (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 640-3 reads as blue, while Artichoke reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 11-point LRV gap — 21 for Artichoke vs 11 for RAL 640-3 — means Artichoke will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 50.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 640-3 vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 640-3 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.
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. Artichoke reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than RAL 640-3.
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. Artichoke returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Artichoke returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Artichoke returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Artichoke returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
RAL 640-3 vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 640-3 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 RAL 640-3 comparisons
See how RAL 640-3 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 11), opening up a space where RAL 640-3 encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 11, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 11, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 11, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 11), opening up a space where RAL 640-3 encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 11), opening up a space where RAL 640-3 encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 11, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 11), opening up a space where RAL 640-3 encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 11), opening up a space where RAL 640-3 encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 11, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 11), opening up a space where RAL 640-3 encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 11), opening up a space where RAL 640-3 encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 11, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 11 and 8, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 11), opening up a space where RAL 640-3 encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 11, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 11), opening up a space where RAL 640-3 encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 11, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
A 4-point LRV gap (11 vs 7) makes RAL 640-3 the marginally brighter of the two.