To mix colors to make colours (different hues), you typically combine primary colors, or combinations of primary and secondary colors, in varying proportions.
Here's a breakdown of how color mixing works:
Primary Colors
The foundation of color mixing involves understanding the primary colors:
- Red
- Yellow
- Blue
These colors are considered primary because they cannot be created by mixing other colors together. However, they can be mixed together to create all other colors.
Secondary Colors
Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors:
| Primary Color 1 | Primary Color 2 | Secondary Color |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Yellow | Orange |
| Yellow | Blue | Green |
| Blue | Red | Purple (Violet) |
Tertiary Colors
Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color. The name of the tertiary color is typically a combination of the primary and secondary color names, with the primary color usually listed first. Examples include:
- Red-Violet (Red + Purple)
- Red-Orange (Red + Orange)
- Yellow-Orange (Yellow + Orange)
- Yellow-Green (Yellow + Green)
- Blue-Green (Blue + Green)
- Blue-Violet (Blue + Purple)
Achieving Different Shades
The exact shade you achieve depends on the proportions of each color you use. For instance:
- More red than blue will result in a redder purple.
- More blue than red will result in a bluer purple.
You can also influence a colors' value (how light or dark it is) by adding white (to lighten) or black (to darken). Adding gray (a mix of black and white) will dull the color's intensity.
Important Considerations:
- The quality of the paint matters: Using high-quality pigments will result in brighter, cleaner mixes.
- Mix thoroughly: Ensure the colors are completely blended to avoid streaks.
- Start with small amounts: Add color gradually to avoid overshooting your desired shade.
In summary, mixing colors involves understanding primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, and carefully adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired hue, value, and intensity.
