How Do Artists Mix Colors in Watercolor?
The processing of mixing watercolors is complicated. There are many color rules that must be followed when mixing colors to achieve clear results. However, there are some basic principles that all watercolor artists use to create beautiful colors for their paintings. Anyone interested in painting like a professional should also follow these rules.
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Basic Colors
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For basic watercoloring, only six base colors are necessary to make almost any other color. These colors are: ultramarine blue, carmine red, bright yellow, dark blue, dark yellow and vermillion. These colors can be mixed to make a large combination of colors, if different amounts of each color are used. Using a base of six colors only helps the beginning watercolor artist find what colors go together, and what colors he uses most often. Supplemental colors can be purchased at a later date.
Color Wheel
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When mixing colors, the three most complementing colors should be mixed. It is not wise to mix colors on the opposite of the color wheel, because mixing these colors will usually result in a mottled brownish color. Basically there are three segments of the water color wheel, going along with the three primary colors. Warm colors are the oranges, reds and yellows. Cool colors are the blues, purples and greens. Bright oranges should not contain any blue. Bright greens should not contain any red. Bright purples should not contain any yellow. For best results, mix colors that have complementing colors (for example, yellow and red have the complementing color of orange).
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Dark to Light
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When mixing colors, start with the lightest color as the base. Add the darker colors to it. Typically you do not want to mix any more than three colors together, with two being ideal. You can either mix the paint in the palette, or mix it right on the page. Professional artists will do it both ways.
Proportion
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The proportion of the colors is important for the final color result. Pay special attention to what ratios of each color you use to make each color. For example, mixing a large amount of yellow, with small amounts of red and blue will make a yellow-brown color. Mixing equal amounts of each color will produce a much darker brown. Proportion is one of the most important aspects of watercolor mixing.
Warning
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It is important not to over-mix the paints. If over-mixing occurs, the paints will become muddy and unrealistic. Watercolor painting is all about creating the impression of light and color, and so it is perfectly fine, and encouraged, to leave a little bit of unmixed paint with each stroke. This adds character to the painting, and the paint is further mixed with the water anyway.
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References
- Photo Credit watercolors image by ulga from Fotolia.com
