Mixing colors is a fun and interesting science experiment that can help teach children of all ages about color theory. By combining different colored paints or other pigments, we can create new shades and discover how the primary colors interact. In this article, we’ll examine the question: can mixing two colors create the color red?
The Basics of Color Mixing
Before looking specifically at mixing colors to make red, it’s helpful to understand some color basics. There are three primary colors – red, yellow and blue. By mixing the primary colors in different ratios, all other colors can be created. For example:
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Yellow + Blue = Green
- Blue + Red = Purple
The secondary colors orange, green and purple can’t be created with a single primary color – they must be mixed. Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color together. For example, red (primary) + orange (secondary) = red-orange.
When mixing colors, adding more of one color will change the final result. For example, mixing a lot of yellow with a little blue will create a light green. Mixing the colors in equal amounts will create a vivid, saturated color. Changing the ratios mixes shades and tints of colors. Now let’s look specifically at mixing colors to create red.
Can 2 Colors Make Red?
Red is a primary color, meaning it can’t be created by mixing other colors. However, you can mix two colors together to create different hues and shades of red by adding red to another color. For example:
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Yellow | Red-orange |
| Red | Blue | Red-purple |
As you can see, mixing red with another primary color creates a reddish secondary color. The more red is used in the mix, the more saturated and vivid the final red shade will be. Tints of red can also be made by mixing red with white paint or color. So while pure red can’t be created through mixing, many shades of red can be made by blending it with other colors.
Mixing Complements
Another interesting way to mix colors that results in a shaded red is to use complement colors. Complementary colors are located opposite each other on the color wheel. When mixed, they neutralize each other while also creating a more muted, shaded color. The complement of red is green. Mixing red and green creates a brownish, earthy red tone. Other red complements include:
- Red + Purple = Red-brown
- Red + Blue = Muted red
- Red + Green = Brownish red
Using complement colors is a fun way to experiment creating different versions of red. Start with a vivid red and add small amounts of the complement color until you achieve the desired shade.
Mixing Analogs
Analogous colors are located right next to each other on the color wheel. They create pleasant, harmonious color combinations. Some examples of analogs for red include:
- Red + Orange = Red-orange
- Red + Violet = Red-violet
Mixing analogous colors is a good way to create monochromatic red palettes with subtle variations in shade and tint. Rather than mixing complement colors to dull red, analogs can be blended to accentuate red in different ways.
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Orange | Vivid, warm red-orange |
| Red | Violet | Rich red-violet |
Even though orange and violet are different colors, combining them with red produces harmonious results. The red remains vivid while taking on subtle changes in hue.
Tinting to Make Light Reds
So far we’ve looked at mixing red with other vibrant colors to create reddish shades. But you can also mix red with white, black or gray to lighten or darken its shade. Adding white to red makes different tints of red, with more white creating a paler pink shade. Here are some examples of tinting red with white:
| Red | White | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10 parts | 2 parts | Light red |
| 10 parts | 5 parts | Medium pink |
| 10 parts | 8 parts | Pale pink |
You can make a wide range of pinks by incrementally increasing the white mixed with red. Other tinting options include off-whites, grays and creams for subtly softened reddish tones.
Shading to Dark Reds
The opposite of tinting, shading involves adding black, gray or complementary colors to red to create darker red tones. Some examples include:
| Red | Black | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 10 parts | 1 part | Dark red |
| 10 parts | 3 parts | Deep red |
| 10 parts | 5 parts | Very dark red |
Adding increasing amounts of black darkens the red shade. You can also substitute black with grays, blues, greens or browns when shading reds.
Mixing Mediums
So far we’ve discussed mixing red paint pigments, but you can blend colors using any medium that allows mixing. Here are some options:
- Paint – mix acrylic, oil, watercolor or gouache paints
- Chalk – blend pastel or colored chalk
- Playdough – mix modeling compounds
- Crayons – melt and mix colors
- Colored pencils – overlay and blend
- Light – combine colored gels
- Digital – use design software
- Fabric – dye or paint textiles
The mixing principles remain the same across any medium. Consider transparency, saturation and blending capabilities when choosing supplies. Mixing colors digitally provides the most flexibility and options for revising until you achieve the perfect shade.
Color Mixing Activities
Trying hands-on color mixing is the best way for kids to learn color theory. Here are some fun activities to explore creating different reds:
- Liquid watercolors – Mix drops of watercolor on wet paper and watch colors blend and bleed.
- Color paddles – These tabletop paddles allow kids to twist and blend color drops.
- Paint pouring – Mix colored paints in cups then pour together on canvas to merge.
- Spinners – Spinning color mixers split primary colors to quickly blend new shades.
- Color mixing trays – sectioned trays keep paints separate then brush together.
- Droppers on paper – Use eyedroppers to release drops of food coloring or watercolor to mix.
Set out primary colors along with white and black paint and encourage kids to see what shades they can create. Have them mix red with different colors and observe how it changes the red hue. Combining color mixing with painting projects allows kids to immediately apply what they learned.
Science of Mixing Pigments
On a chemical level, mixing pigments combines different molecules and wavelengths of light. Red pigment absorbs green and blue wavelengths, and reflects back red. Adding yellow (which reflects red and green) creates orange from the combined reflected wavelengths. Differing pigment properties and opacity also affect the final color.
Understanding pigment properties helps predict color mixing results. For example, mixing transparent glazes of red and blue makes purple, but mixing opaque paints makes brown due to scattered light rays. The order paints are mixed can also impact the color. Mixing principles apply to light, dyes, inks and digital color as well as paint.
Color Mixing for Art Projects
Mastering color mixing helps any artist create the exact hues needed for paintings, designs or other media. Below are some tips for successfully mixing colors for art projects:
- Use the highest quality paints possible for pure, intense colors
- Start with small amounts and add more as needed
- Mix enough combined paint to maintain consistency
- Add white or black sparingly to avoid over-tinting
- Clean brush or swap colors to avoid muddying
- Remember complements will dull/neutralize color
- Analogs will harmonize while retaining vibrancy
- Allow test swatches to fully dry to see actual color
Taking detailed notes for color mixing recipes allows artists to replicate specific hues for paintings. When working on a large project over time, recording the specific pigments and ratios used to create colors ensures consistency across the entire piece as paints are remixed.
Advanced Color Theory
Once the basics of color mixing are understood, there are more advanced concepts to explore for endless color variations. These include:
- Color temperature – warm vs cool undertones
- Color schemes – monochromatic, complementary, etc.
- Color psychology – how color impacts moods
- Color harmony – creating pleasing combinations
- Simultaneous contrast – illusion of enhanced differences
- Chiaroscuro – dramatic contrast of light and shadow
- Impasto – using thick paint for texture
- Glazing – thin, transparent layers
There are many nuances that can take color application from basic to more skilled. But a solid grasp of the foundations of mixing colors serves as the groundwork. From there, artists can unleash their creativity exploring color in all its dimensions.
Mixing Color Matching Recipes
In addition to mixing colors for art, you can also blend specific recipes to match colors for design, decor or printing projects. Finding or creating the perfect color palettes allows the use of consistent colors across different mediums. Below are some tips for color matching:
- Use a consistent base – matching white paper or neutral gray
- Match samples in same light conditions
- Start with approximate color ratios
- Make small sample batches
- Brush out samples to compare
- Add increments until match
- Record each addition and final recipe
It may take trial and error with test strips to finally achieve an accurate color match. Having a controlled process with detailed notes helps recreate specific colors on demand.
Changing Properties by Mixing
In addition to changing the hue, mixing colors can also modify other properties of the pigments. These include:
- Value – lightness/darkness
- Shade – mixing with black
- Tint – mixing with white
- Saturation – intensity of color
- Temperature – warm or cool tone
- Transparency – opacity/translucency
- Gloss/Matte Finish – reflective quality
- Texture – thickness and brush strokes
Mastering mixing techniques gives full control over both color and other attributes when painting. For example, thick impasto paint can add dramatic texture, while thin glazes create luminous transparency.
Mixing Colors in Digital Design
While traditional paint mixing is hands-on fun, digital mixing allows complete flexibility, control and easy revisions. Color can be blended in programs like:
- Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator
- Procreate
- GIMP
- Canva
Digital tools open up possibilities like:
- Eyedropper to sample colors
- Color picker to select hues
- Adjustment layers to refine
- Brush tools to blend and paint
- Effects to shift color properties
- Undo to quickly revert steps
- Color libraries to save palettes
Designers can match Pantone swatches, tweak RGB values, use hex codes and have full access to a spectrum of color options. Mixing can be done across layers non-destructively. The ability to try endless variations with the click of a mouse makes digital an extremely flexible color mixing medium.
Why Learning Color Mixing is Useful
There are many benefits gained from exploring hands-on color mixing including:
- Understand color theory – primary, secondary, complements
- Discover properties of pigment – transparency, opacity, permanence
- Recognize color relationships – harmonious or discordant
- Master mixing techniques – layering, blending, effects
- Match desired colors accurately – through controlled recipes
- Develop an intuition for color – how to achieve the envisioned hue
- Inform own unique color sense – through hands-on experience
Color mixing gets us in touch with the science, emotion, design and experience of color. It’s challenging but also extremely rewarding to gain command of color through practice.
Conclusion
Mixing two colors to make red is not possible since red is a primary color that can’t be created from other pigments. However, you can blend a multitude of reddish hues by mixing red with analogous, complementary or primary colors. Adding white makes tints while black creates shades. With an understanding of color theory, you can mix an endless spectrum of reds tailored to your every need. Mastering basic color blending is essential for any painter or designer working in pigment. The quest of mixing colors is a lifelong learning process but tremendously benefits artistic skills and intuition.