Colour Mixing Fundamentals: A Painter's Essential Guide

Understanding colour mixing transforms your painting. Rather than relying on pre-mixed colours, you'll create exactly the hues you envision while developing a deeper understanding of colour relationships.

The Colour Wheel

The foundation of all colour theory:

Primary Colours

Cannot be mixed from other colours:

• Red (Cadmium Red, Pyrrole Red)
• Yellow (Cadmium Yellow, Hansa Yellow)
• Blue (Ultramarine, Phthalo Blue)

Secondary Colours

Mixed from two primaries:

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

Tertiary Colours

Mixed from primary and adjacent secondary:

• Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange
• Yellow-Green, Blue-Green
• Blue-Purple, Red-Purple

Colour Properties

Hue

The colour itself (red, blue, yellow, etc.)

Value

Lightness or darkness:

• Add white to create tints (lighter)
• Add black to create shades (darker)
• Add grey to create tones (muted)

Saturation

Intensity or purity of colour:

• High saturation = vivid, pure
• Low saturation = muted, grey
• Reduce by adding complement or grey

Practical Mixing Tips

Start with the Lighter Colour

Dark colours overpower light ones. Add dark to light gradually.

Mix More Than You Need

Matching a mixed colour exactly is nearly impossible. Mix plenty.

Test Before Applying

Colours look different wet vs dry, on palette vs canvas. Always test.

Keep Colours Clean

Dirty brushes create muddy colours. Clean between mixes.

Creating Harmonious Palettes

Complementary

Opposite colours on wheel (red/green, blue/orange):

• High contrast and vibrance
• Use one as dominant, other as accent

Analogous

Adjacent colours on wheel:

• Harmonious and unified
• Low contrast, peaceful feeling

Explore quality paints in our painting guides for best mixing results.