RAL 820-2 vs Artichoke
RAL 820-2 (RAL Effect) and Artichoke (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. RAL 820-2 reads as blue-grey, while Artichoke reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 20-point LRV gap — 42 for RAL 820-2 vs 21 for Artichoke — means RAL 820-2 will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 25.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
RAL 820-2 vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing RAL 820-2 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.
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. RAL 820-2 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. RAL 820-2 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. RAL 820-2 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 820-2 vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see RAL 820-2 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 820-2 comparisons
See how RAL 820-2 stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 42, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reads slightly lighter (LRV 52 vs 42), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
RAL 820-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 30), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 42), opening up a space where RAL 820-2 encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 42, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 42 vs 27, RAL 820-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
With LRVs of 43 and 42, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 55 vs 42, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 44 vs 42), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 42), opening up a space where RAL 820-2 encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 42, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 42, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 42 vs 12, RAL 820-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 42 vs 8, RAL 820-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 42, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 42 vs 12, RAL 820-2 is decisively the brighter choice.
A 4-point LRV gap (45 vs 42) makes Saybrook Sage the marginally brighter of the two.
RAL 820-2 reads slightly lighter (LRV 42 vs 31), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
RAL 820-2 reflects far more light (LRV 42 vs 7), opening up a space where Pine Needle encloses it.