How to mix colours

Mixing colors is an essential skill in art and design, allowing you to create a wide range of hues, shades, and tones. Here’s a guide to help you master the basics of color mixing:
Primary Colors

The three primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. These are the base colors and cannot be created by mixing other colors.
Secondary Colors

When you mix two primary colors together, you create secondary colors:

Red + Blue = Purple
Blue + Yellow = Green
Yellow + Red = Orange

Tertiary Colors

Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color:

Red + Orange = Red-Orange
Yellow + Orange = Yellow-Orange
Blue + Green = Blue-Green
Red + Purple = Red-Purple
Blue + Purple = Blue-Purple
Yellow + Green = Yellow-Green

Color Mixing Techniques
1. Start with a Palette:

Use a clean palette, plate, or mixing surface to combine your paints. Make sure you have a separate area for each color.
2. Mixing Primary Colors:

Start by placing a small amount of two primary colors on your palette. Use a palette knife or brush to mix them together in the middle until you achieve a uniform color.
3. Adjusting Colors:

To lighten a color: Add white to the color (this creates a tint).
To darken a color: Add black to the color (this creates a shade).
To mute a color: Add a small amount of its complementary color (e.g., add a bit of green to red).

4. Creating Neutral Colors:

Mixing all three primary colors (red, blue, yellow) together in equal parts can create brown or gray.
Mixing complementary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel, like red and green) can also create neutral tones.

5. Experiment with Proportions:

The ratio of colors mixed together affects the final hue. For example:

More blue than yellow in a mix will give you a cooler, bluish-green.
More yellow than blue will result in a warmer, yellowish-green.

6. Blending Colors:

If you want to blend colors on your canvas or paper, apply the two colors next to each other and use a dry or slightly damp brush to blend them together where they meet.
Tips for Successful Color Mixing:

Clean Your Brush or Knife: Always clean your brush or palette knife between mixing different colors to avoid unwanted muddiness.
Test Your Colors: Before applying a mixed color to your artwork, test it on a scrap piece of paper or canvas to ensure it’s the right shade.
Understand Color Theory: Familiarize yourself with the color wheel and how colors interact with each other. This will help you anticipate the results of mixing.
Keep Track of Ratios: If you’re mixing a color that you’ll need to recreate later, note down the proportions of each color used.

Practical Exercises:

Mixing a Color Chart: Create a color chart by mixing the primary colors in different ratios to see the range of secondary and tertiary colors you can produce.

Creating Gradients: Practice creating gradients by mixing a color with increasing amounts of white to create tints or with black to create shades.

Experimenting with Complementary Colors: Mix complementary colors to explore how they neutralize each other, creating browns and grays.

By practicing these techniques and experimenting with different combinations, you’ll become more confident in mixing colors and achieving the exact hues you need for your artwork.