How to Get Shades of Gray Using Watercolors

Painting with watercolors is a pastime enjoyed by both novice and advanced painters. Although the color gray isn't the most exciting color by itself, it is versatile and can be mixed in a variety of shades to suit an array of backgrounds. Stone, seascapes and storm clouds are just a few items an artist may wish to use grays on. Gray can be obtained by mixing the colors black and white.

Instructions

1. Squeeze a generous portion of black watercolor paint onto the palette.

2. Squeeze white paint onto the palette.

3. Dip the brush into the black paint and paint a section of the canvas.

4. Clean the brush and dip it into the white watercolor paint, then paint that color onto the canvas.

5. Mix a small amount of black paint and white paint -- slightly heavier on the black side -- on the palette and then paint it onto the canvas.

6. Continue mixing black and white paint on the palette in varying ratios of dark to light and light to dark to obtain different shades of gray.

7. Add varying amounts of water with the colors to lighten the colors to an ashy gray and to obtain the effect of gray storm clouds.

References

• Real Color Wheel: Gray Scale Color Wheels
• "Color Harmonies: Paint Watercolors Filled with Light"; Rose Edin, et al.; 2010