You make color by mixing colors by combining different pigments or light wavelengths, based on principles of color theory. The specific color you achieve depends on the colors you mix, their proportions, and the medium you're using (e.g., paint, light, ink).
Understanding Color Mixing Principles
There are two primary color mixing systems:
-
Subtractive Color Mixing: This applies to physical pigments like paints, inks, and dyes. When you mix colors subtractively, each pigment absorbs certain wavelengths of light and reflects the rest. The colors you see are the wavelengths that are not absorbed. Mixing more colors results in more wavelengths being absorbed, leading towards black. The primary colors in subtractive mixing are cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY), plus black (K) in printing (CMYK).
- Example: Mixing cyan and yellow paint creates green.
-
Additive Color Mixing: This applies to light. When you mix colors additively, you are adding more wavelengths of light, resulting in a brighter color. The primary colors in additive mixing are red, green, and blue (RGB). Mixing all three primary colors of light results in white light.
- Example: Mixing red and green light creates yellow light.
Practical Color Mixing with Pigments (Subtractive)
Here's how you can achieve specific colors by mixing pigments:
-
Primary Colors: Red, yellow, and blue are traditionally considered the primary colors in pigment mixing, although modern color theory favors CMY. You cannot create these colors by mixing other colors.
-
Secondary Colors: These are created by mixing two primary colors.
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Yellow + Blue = Green
- Blue + Red = Violet (Purple)
-
Tertiary Colors: These are created by mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color.
- Red + Orange = Red-Orange
- Yellow + Orange = Yellow-Orange
- Yellow + Green = Yellow-Green
- Blue + Green = Blue-Green
- Blue + Violet = Blue-Violet
- Red + Violet = Red-Violet
Factors Affecting Color Mixing Outcomes
-
Color Temperature: Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) tend to advance and feel energetic, while cool colors (blues, greens, violets) recede and feel calming. Mixing warm and cool versions of a color can lead to different results. For example, a warm red mixed with a warm yellow makes a bright warm orange, while a cool red with a cool yellow creates a muted cool orange.
-
Pigment Quality: The quality and purity of pigments affect the resulting color mix. Higher-quality pigments generally produce cleaner and brighter colors.
-
Mixing Ratios: The proportion of each color you use significantly impacts the final color. Experiment with different ratios to achieve the desired hue.
-
Medium: Whether you are using acrylics, oils, watercolors, or another medium will affect the mixing process and the final result. Each medium has unique properties.
Tips for Successful Color Mixing
- Start with a small amount of color: It's easier to add more color than to remove it.
- Mix thoroughly: Ensure the colors are completely blended for a uniform result.
- Keep a color journal: Record your color mixtures and their ratios for future reference.
- Use a clean palette and tools: Avoid contamination from other colors.
- Practice: Experiment with different color combinations to develop your understanding and skill.
By understanding the principles of color mixing and practicing diligently, you can create a vast range of colors to express your artistic vision.
