How to Mix Cobalt Blue

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Things You'll Need

  • Ultramarine blue paint

  • Turquoise blue paint

  • Paintbrush

  • Water or appropriate thinner for the type of paint

  • Mixing containers

  • Teaspoon or cup

Mix cobalt blue for bright skies in your paintings.

Learning the art of mixing colors is a necessity for any artist. Most artist painting kits come with a selection of basic colors. The kits typically contain cadmium yellow, cadmium red, phthalo green, ultramarine blue, titanium white and mars or ebony black. Most artists need a wider range of colors for paintings or crafts. If you want to make a color like cobalt blue, purchase ultramarine blue or a kit, and buy a separate tube of turquoise blue. When you mix these colors correctly, the paint turns a bright cobalt blue.

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Step 1

Thin the ultramarine blue in one mixing container, and thin the turquoise blue in another mixing container. If you use water-based paint, thin it with water. If you use another type of paint, use the appropriate thinner for the medium you use. Make it thin enough so it is easily mixed.

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Step 2

Add three parts ultramarine blue paint to the container, and add one part turquoise blue. Add the paint in any order, as long as you keep the ratio correct. If you mix the paint in a small batch, use teaspoons for measuring the colors. If you mix a large batch, use a cup. Stir the paint thoroughly. If it isn't light enough, mix in a little bit of turquoise blue.

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Step 3

Test the paint on a piece of paper. Let it dry thoroughly. Check the color. If it's too dark, add more turquoise blue. If it's too light, add a little more ultramarine blue.

Tip

See how many colors of blue come from ultramarine blue and turquoise blue. Put a piece of paper on a table. Put a dab of ultramarine blue and a dab of turquoise blue on the paper, and write a plus sign between the two. Write an equal sign after the second color. Mix one part ultramarine blue to one part turquoise blue, and put a dab of the color after the equal sign. Add another dot of turquoise, stir and put a dot of color on the paper. Continue adding dots of turquoise and putting dots of the color on the paper. Start a second line under the mixed colors. Mix one dot of ultramarine blue and turquoise blue. Add a dot of ultramarine blue at a time, and put a dab of each color across the line.

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