How to Make a Turquoise Color Paint

Because it is not a primary color, turquoise paint requires a mixture of colors.

The color turquoise, named for the turquoise gemstone, is a shade of cyan visible in certain bodies of water. Shades of turquoise are also visible naturally in the northern and southern polar lights. Because turquoise is not a primary color, painters mix blue and green to make this striking shade. The fundamental rules of color mixing apply no matter what type of paint you're working with: acrylic, oil or watercolor.

Things You'll Need

• Blue and yellow paint
• Paint brush
• Palette

Instructions

1. Mix together equal parts of yellow and blue paint. Stir until the colors combine into an even shade of green.

2. Place a dab of blue paint on your palette. Place a dab--half the size of the blue--of the mixed green paint next to the blue paint. Blend the blue and green paints with your brush until they are evenly mixed.

3. Repeat this process until the mixture is the shade of turquoise you want.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different ratios of blue to green paint to produce different shades of turquoise.

• You can buy different shades of turquoise paint from an art supply store.

References

• Dig a List: How to Mix colors
• Durango Silver: Turquoise Color Examples
• Turquoise Guide: Turquoise History of the Name

Resources

• Golden Paints: Color Mixing Guide