To make pink with watercolor, you'll primarily mix red with white, but the specific shade and vibrancy will depend on the red you choose and how much water you use.
Mixing Pink Watercolor: A Detailed Guide
Creating the perfect pink involves a few crucial steps and understanding the nature of your watercolors. Here's a detailed breakdown:
Understanding the Basics
- Red and White: The fundamental mixture is red and white. However, most watercolors do not include white paint, so you will need to use white from another medium, or lots of water.
- Water is Key: Watercolor is all about water control. The amount of water will affect the lightness and transparency of the pink. Adding more water to a red will lighten it, although it may be more effective to use white.
- Pigment Concentration: Start with a small amount of red pigment and gradually add water or white to achieve the desired shade.
Step-by-Step Mixing Process
- Choose your red: Select a red that you like. A rose red will create a bright, clear pink, while other reds may make slightly different pinks when mixed.
- Prepare Your Palette: Squeeze a small amount of your chosen red onto your palette.
- Add White or Water: If you have white gouache or another medium, add a tiny amount next to the red, and mix the two paints together with a clean wet brush. If you are working with traditional watercolors you can use the brush to add water instead to the paint to dilute it, creating a paler pink.
- Mix Thoroughly: Mix the color until the shade is uniform, making sure there are no streaks of one color.
- Test: Test the mixture on scrap paper to see the final color and adjust as needed. Add more red for a deeper pink, or more white or water for a lighter pink.
Choosing the Right Red
The reference video suggests using a permanent rose red as it is "perfect for mixing." The type of red will greatly affect your final pink:
- Rose or Carmine Reds: These will create bright, vibrant pinks.
- Crimson Reds: They might give you a more muted or cooler pink.
- Other Reds: Using a red with a yellow tone will create a peachy pink. According to the video, " I use [a warmer] yellow and not lemon yellow because it feels so much warmer. As you will see later it is perfect for mixing peach."
Adjusting Your Pink
- For a Deeper Pink: Add more red pigment. Do this in very small increments.
- For a Lighter Pink: Dilute your red with more water or white.
- For a Warmer Pink: Add a very small amount of a yellow, such as "a warmer yellow and not lemon yellow," to your mix.
Troubleshooting
- Muddy Pink: Avoid mixing too many colors. If you're using a limited palette, keep the primary colors clean.
- Uneven Color: Ensure that the paint and water are thoroughly mixed on your palette.
- Too Pale: Add more red to bring the color forward.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Base Colors | Red and white or water |
| Key to success | Water control |
| Deeper Pink | Add more red |
| Lighter Pink | Add water or white |
| Warmer Pink | Add a very small amount of yellow |
| Reference Red | Permanent rose |
