Mixing indigo paint involves creating a dark, purple-leaning blue. The fundamental process is to start with a primary blue, add purple to it, and then darken it.
Here's a breakdown of how to achieve this:
General Approach:
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Start with a Blue: Begin with a strong blue pigment. Phthalo blue or ultramarine blue are excellent choices.
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Add Purple: Introduce a touch of purple or violet to shift the blue towards the characteristic indigo hue. Quinacridone violet is a good option.
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Darken: Incorporate a black pigment to deepen the color. Carbon black or lamp black are commonly used.
Specific Paint Brand Recipes (According to Reference Information)
| Paint Brand | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Winsor & Newton | Phthalo blue, ultramarine blue, and carbon black. |
| Michael Harding | Phthalo blue, quinacridone violet, and lamp black. |
Detailed Steps
While the specific ratios depend on the pigments you use and the exact shade you desire, here's a general approach:
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Prepare Your Palette: Squeeze out small amounts of your chosen blue, purple/violet, and black pigments onto your palette.
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Mix Blue and Purple/Violet: Start by mixing a small amount of purple/violet into your blue. Gradually add more until you achieve a slightly purplish blue. Remember to mix thoroughly.
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Darken the Mixture: Add a tiny amount of black to the blue-purple mixture. Black is a very strong pigment, so add it incrementally and mix well after each addition to avoid over-darkening.
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Adjust as Needed: If the color is too purple, add more blue. If it's not dark enough, add more black. If it's too dark, add more of the blue/purple mixture.
Example:
Let's say you're using phthalo blue, quinacridone violet, and lamp black:
- Start with a small amount of phthalo blue.
- Add a tiny amount of quinacridone violet (perhaps 1/4 the amount of blue). Mix thoroughly.
- Add a very small amount of lamp black (even less than the violet). Mix thoroughly.
- Evaluate the color and adjust the amounts of each pigment as needed to achieve your desired indigo shade.
Tips:
- Keep Records: It's a good idea to note the ratios you use so you can recreate the color later.
- Mix Small Batches: Start with small amounts of paint to avoid wasting pigment. You can always mix more if needed.
- Consider the Medium: The mixing process is the same for oil, acrylic, and watercolor paints, but the binders and drying properties will differ.
