RAL 680-3 vs Artichoke
RAL 680-3 (RAL Effect) and Artichoke (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 680-3 reads as blue, while Artichoke reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 11-point LRV gap — 21 for Artichoke vs 10 for RAL 680-3 — means Artichoke will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 36.3 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 680-3 vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 680-3 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 680-3.
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 680-3 vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 680-3 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 680-3 comparisons
See how RAL 680-3 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 10), opening up a space where RAL 680-3 encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 10, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 10, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 10, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 10), opening up a space where RAL 680-3 encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 10), opening up a space where RAL 680-3 encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 10, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 10), opening up a space where RAL 680-3 encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 10), opening up a space where RAL 680-3 encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 10, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 10), opening up a space where RAL 680-3 encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 10), opening up a space where RAL 680-3 encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 10, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 10 and 8, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 10), opening up a space where RAL 680-3 encloses it.
With LRVs of 12 and 10, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 10), opening up a space where RAL 680-3 encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 10, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
A 3-point LRV gap (10 vs 7) makes RAL 680-3 the marginally brighter of the two.