To make purple with watercolors, you simply need to mix red and blue watercolors together.
Understanding Color Mixing
Purple is a secondary color, meaning it's created by combining two primary colors. In the case of purple, those primary colors are red and blue. The specific shade of purple you achieve will depend on the ratio of red to blue and the specific types of red and blue you use.
Steps to Mix Purple
Here's a simple guide to mixing purple with watercolors:
- Gather your supplies: You'll need red and blue watercolors, a palette or mixing surface, a brush, and water.
- Start with a small amount of each color: Place a small dab of red and a small dab of blue on your palette.
- Mix equal parts: Using your brush, mix approximately equal parts of red and blue together. This will usually result in a fairly balanced purple.
- Adjust for desired shade:
- For a redder purple, add more red.
- For a bluer purple, add more blue.
- Experiment with different reds and blues: Different shades of red and blue will produce different purples. For example, a warm red (like a scarlet) and a cool blue (like a phthalo blue) might make a brighter purple than a cool red (like a crimson) and a warm blue (like ultramarine).
- Add water to adjust the value: Add water to the mixture to lighten the purple.
Tips for Mixing the Best Purple
- Keep your palette clean: A clean palette will prevent muddy colors.
- Mix thoroughly: Ensure the red and blue are completely mixed for an even color.
- Test the color: Before applying the purple to your painting, test it on a scrap piece of paper to make sure it's the shade you want.
- Consider using a color wheel: A color wheel can help you understand color relationships and create different shades of purple.
- Practice makes perfect: Don't be afraid to experiment! The more you practice, the better you'll become at mixing the perfect purple.
By following these simple steps, you can easily create a wide range of beautiful purples using watercolors.
