Are you struggling with mixing watercolor paints? You’re not alone! Many artists find color mixing confusing, but once you understand the basics, you’ll be able to mix any color with confidence. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to mix watercolors like a pro.
Understanding the Basics of Color Mixing
Before diving into mixing techniques, let’s go over the basics of color families.
The Three Main Color Families
In watercolor painting, the primary colors are:
- Blue
- Red
- Yellow
While in printing, you often hear about cyan, magenta, and yellow as primary colors, in painting, this system can be limiting. That’s because there are many different shades of blue, red, and yellow, each with unique properties.
When you buy a watercolor set, you’ll usually find two versions of each primary color—one warm and one cool. Understanding the difference between these will help you achieve vibrant or muted colors depending on your needs.
Warm vs. Cool Colors: What’s the Difference?
Each primary color leans towards either a warm or cool tone:
- Cool primary colors (lean towards cool secondary colors, like green) tend to be bright and almost neon-like.
- Warm primary colors (lean towards warm secondary colors, like orange) appear softer and less intense.
For example, not all blues are the same! Some blues have a warmer tone, while others have a cooler undertone. The same applies to reds and yellows.
If you’re unsure how to tell warm and cool colors apart, don’t worry! It takes time to train your eye, so keep observing and practicing.
How to Create a Color Mixing Chart
A color mixing chart is a great tool for understanding how different colors interact. Here’s how to make one:
- Create a grid on your watercolor paper – The number of rows and columns should match the number of colors in your set, plus an additional row and column for labeling.
- Label the rows and columns with your paint colors.
- Mix the colors where they intersect – Each square in the grid should contain the color formed by mixing the corresponding row and column colors.
- Keep the color intensity even – If one color overpowers another, adjust the ratio so you can see the true mixed color.
- Add water to see value changes – If you want to take this exercise further, dilute each mix with water to create a gradient.
By using a color mixing chart, you’ll have a clear visual reference for how different colors combine.
How to Darken Colors Without Using Black
Many artists struggle with making colors darker without losing vibrancy. While adding black might seem like the easiest option, it often results in dull, flat colors. Instead, try using complementary colors!
Using Complementary Colors to Darken Paints
Complementary colors are colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel:
- Red & Green
- Blue & Orange
- Yellow & Purple
When mixed together, these colors neutralize each other, creating rich, deep hues instead of muddy or flat colors.
How to Create a Complementary Color Mixing Chart
- Draw a small grid of squares.
- Pick a complementary color pair (e.g., red and green).
- Start with one color and gradually add more of its complement.
- Continue adjusting the ratio until you reach the center, where the colors balance out into a deep, neutral shade.
This technique helps you create more natural, dimensional shadows and richer dark tones.
How to Adjust Color Intensity and Tone
If you want to fine-tune your colors, understanding how to control saturation and tone is essential.
To desaturate a color (make it less vibrant):
- Mix it with a touch of its complementary color.
- Use pre-mixed greens and browns from your palette to mute vibrant hues.
To lighten a color:
- Add more water instead of white paint (since watercolors are transparent, white isn’t typically used for lightening).
Fine-Tuning Your Color Mixing Skills
If you need multiple variations of a color, such as different shades of green or orange, you can create a separate mixing chart just for those colors.
For example, if you’re mixing orange:
- More red = red-orange
- More yellow = yellow-orange
The same applies to greens:
- More blue = blue-green
- More yellow = yellow-green
This method allows you to fine-tune your mixes and create custom colors tailored to your painting.
Choosing the Right Watercolors for Mixing
Since some watercolor pigments are more staining than others, they may overpower mixes. Check the labels on your watercolor pans or tubes to understand their properties and adjust your mixing ratios accordingly.
Get Your Free Color Mixing Cheat Sheet!
Want a quick reference guide for mixing watercolors? Download my free color mixing cheat sheet to help you create stunning color combinations with ease!
Final Thoughts
Mastering watercolor mixing takes time and practice, but with the right techniques, you’ll be able to create any color you need.
If you’re wondering which watercolor set is best for beginners, grab your FREE guide where I'll give you an overview on the essential supplies and techniques you need to know to start with your watercolor painting journey!!
Happy painting!