Mixing colors in Acrylic or Oils – some basic tips

Useful colors – pigments make a difference – some of ours are ‘hues’ because the actual pigment would be either too expensive or it might be toxic…

White – titanium – in oil paint ‘lead white’ is nice, but as you can guess toxic

Cobalt blue – actual cobalt is toxic (and expensive) – so we have a hue

Cadmium Red Medium hue – again cadmium is toxic and very expensive

Cadmium Yellow hue – again ….

Sap green

Burnt Sienna – an ‘earth tone’ brown – there is also a raw sienna – a lighter brown

Burnt Umber – an ‘earth tone’ darker brown – there is also a raw umber – a lighter brown

• Key idea in mixing ---- BRING COLOR TO WHITE – DO NOT BRING COLOR TO WHITE
• Sap green and cad red brought to white will make a flesh color – adding yellow for warm and blue for cool
• Burnt sienna and cobalt blue brought to white will make a beige
• Shadow with compliments!
• Stay away from black paint – make darks with blues, purples and dark reds