How to Make Red Paint More Brown

Reddish brown goes well with yellow and orange hues.

Red makes for a brilliant paint color, but sometimes it can be too bright and garish. Changing the hue of red paint can make it easier on the eyes and create a more harmonious color palette for your project or painting. Creating a reddish brown color from red paint makes a rusty and earthy hue. Mixing another color to the red paint can help tone the color and achieve your desired hue.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic cup or container
• Paint stirrer (optional)
• Paint brush
• Water
• Paper towel
• Black paint

Instructions

1. Place the red paint in a plastic cup or container. Use a paintbrush or paint stirrer to mix the red paint thoroughly.

2. Rinse the paintbrush and dry with a paper towel.

3. Pour or squeeze a small amount of black paint into the cup with the red paint. You can also add the black paint with a paint brush. Blend well with a paintbrush or paint stirrer. Add only a small amount of black.

4. Add more black paint to the red if the paint is not brown enough. Add small amounts until your desired hue has been achieved.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid placing your contaminated brush in the black paint. Rinse the paintbrush well and dry with a paper towel if you are using the same brush to blend and add the black paint.

References

• The Carving Bench: Mixing and Painting Colors
• Elizabeth Reoch; Mixing Paint Colours, What Colours Make Brown; April 3, 2011