Mixing neon green oil paint requires a specific approach, as "neon" colors are inherently difficult to replicate purely through mixing. You need to aim for a vibrant, bright green, and then potentially enhance it with additives or consider pre-made neon pigments.
Here's how to approach mixing a bright green, the closest you can get to neon, and some considerations for achieving a true neon effect:
1. Start with the Right Pigments:
- Base Green Mixture: The best starting point for a bright green is a combination of a vibrant yellow and a cool blue. As noted in the provided reference, lemon yellow (or a similar bright, cool yellow) and phthalo blue (or a similar intense cyan blue) will give you the closest to a neon green base.
2. The Mixing Process:
- Gradual Addition: Add the blue very gradually to the yellow. Blue pigments are typically much stronger than yellow, so adding too much blue at once will result in a dark, dull green.
- Thorough Mixing: Ensure the pigments are thoroughly mixed to achieve a uniform color. Use a palette knife to scrape the mixture and combine it completely.
- Adjusting the Hue:
- To make it more yellow-green (lighter): Add more lemon yellow.
- To make it more blue-green (cooler): Add a tiny amount more phthalo blue. Be very careful!
3. Achieving a "Neon" Effect (Considerations):
- Fluorescent Pigments: True "neon" colors are fluorescent, meaning they glow under ultraviolet (UV) light. You cannot achieve this effect with standard oil paint pigments. You'd need to purchase fluorescent pigments specifically designed for mixing into oil paint mediums. Note: Fluorescent pigments can have different lightfastness properties.
- Adding a Glaze: Once you have a bright green, you could create a glaze using a transparent oil medium. Adding a tiny amount of white to the glaze and painting this over a white primed canvas can give the illusion of "glow."
- Layering: Layering your bright green over a bright white underpainting can increase its apparent vibrancy.
4. Colors to Avoid (Generally):
- Earthy Yellows and Blues: Cadmium Yellow and Ultramarine Blue will create a duller, more muted green, unsuitable for a neon effect.
In Summary:
While you can't directly mix "neon" oil paint with standard pigments, you can create a vibrant bright green using lemon yellow and phthalo blue. Layering techniques and the addition of fluorescent pigments (with caution) can help you get closer to the desired "neon" look.
