Making pink paint darker pink is a common desire for many DIYers and painters. Whether you want to get the perfect shade of pink for your walls or create a custom color, there are simple ways to darken pink paint without compromising the pink hue. In this article, we’ll go over the methods and materials needed to easily deepen pink paint shades. Read on for tips from expert painters and color specialists!
Assess The Current Shade
The first step is to assess the exact shade of pink you’re starting with. Examine the paint chip, swatch, or wet paint sample and take note of how light or dark it is. Very pale pinks will require more tinting than brighter pinks. This will determine how much colorant or deepening agent needs to be added. For a ballpark estimate, the lighter the pink, the more you’ll need to add to darken it.
Add Black Paint
Adding a small amount of black paint is the most straightforward way to make pink darker. Start by putting a sample of the pink paint into a separate container. Then, add drops or spoonfuls of black paint and mix thoroughly. Keep adding black gradually until you achieve your desired darker pink shade.
Too much black will make the paint start to look purple, so add conservatively and check the color after each addition. For lighter pinks, start with a 1:4 black paint to pink paint ratio. For hot pinks, use a 1:8 ratio as a starting point. Increase the black as needed.
Deepen With Complementary Color
Instead of using pure black, you can darken pink paint by adding its complementary color – green. Start with a few drops or teaspoons of green paint and mix it into your sample pink. Greens will neutralize and darken pink nicely without dulling it down too much.
Try adding different greens like forest, mint, or sage to see nuanced effects on the pink. Just like with black paint, add conservatively and mix fully to gauge the color change. Too much green will start to make the pink look muddy.
Use Colorants And Tints
For professional, paint-perfect results, use colorants and tints specifically designed to alter paint shades. Here are some options:
– Pink colorant: A few drops of concentrated pink colorant will enhance pink paint and make it richer without lightening the hue.
– Red colorant: Adding red will boost pink’s intensity and makes it appear darker. Start with just 1-2 drops per 1 cup of paint.
– Purple tint: Since purple is a blend of pink and blue, adding small amounts of purple tint will create a deeper, more sophisticated pink.
– Gray or charcoal tint: For muted, dusty pinks, stir in a touch of gray or charcoal tint. This natural method will tone down brightness.
Always experiment on paint samples before adding tints to the entire can, as a little goes a long way.
Deepen With Intermixable Paint Colors
Many major paint brands now offer intermixable paint lines. These allow you to effortlessly blend paint colors to make custom shades. To darken pink intermixable paint:
– Add a small amount of red, purple, or magenta paint
– Add a neutral tone like gray, taupe, or beige paint
– Mix in complementary green paint
Start with a few tablespoons or ounces of the deepening colors for a 1-quart paint sample. Combine with pink paint and test colors until you land on your ideal custom pink.
Thin With Mediums
For anyone using pink craft paints or acrylics, try adding paint mediums to deepen the color. Here are some options:
– Painting medium: Adds transparency and subdues brightness to create darker shades.
– Gel mediums: Thickens paint for intensity and richer hues.
– Glazing medium: Makes sheer layers to naturally deepen colors.
Start by mixing 2 parts pink paint with 1 part medium. Adjust ratios until the paint reaches your desired intensity.
Add Brown, Yellow Or White
Some unconventional paint colors can also be blended with pink to create lush, customized hues:
– Brown: Adds a natural, muted effect. Use mud, rust, or ochre shades.
– Yellow: Warm yellow brings vibrancy. Avoid primary yellows which may look neon.
– White: Contrary to intuition, a touch of white can dilute brightness for softer pinks.
Always do test patches since these colors can react very differently with different pink tones. Start with a small amount of the secondary color first when mixing.
Deepen With Dye For Fabric
To darken pink fabric dyes or clothing pigments, use these effective options:
– Rit DyeMore: Liquid dye made to darken and intensify existing fabric colors
– Rit Color Remover: Removes pale pink color so fabric can be re-dyed a darker shade
– Clothing dye: Derived from natural ingredients like plants, berries, and minerals
– All-purpose fabric dye: Works on most fabric types including cotton, linen, silk
Follow package instructions carefully based on your fabric material. Test dyes in an inconspicuous area first before applying to the entire garment.
Purchase Darker Pink Paint
When making a large batch of pink paint for a big project, it may be easiest to simply purchase premixed paint in the exact dark pink hue you want. Pick out paint swatches in person or order custom paint samples online to preview colors.
Here are some popular deep pink paint colors to consider:
| Paint Brand | Dark Pink Paint Colors |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Moore | Pink Blush, Summer Vacation, Pink Froth |
| Sherwin-Williams | Magenta Purple, Razzle Dazzle Pink, Purely Pink |
| Behr | Frosted Cranberry, Cheerful Pink, Mystical Magic |
Buying the precise shade outright can save you hassle and guesswork so your project turns out perfectly pink.
Test On Paint Sample Boards
No matter which technique you use to darken pink paint, always test out shades on sample boards before committing to a whole wall or project. Paint stores can provide you with free blank paint chips, plastic sample sheets, and other tester materials.
Dab on the deepened pink paint colors and move the boards around the room at different times of day to see the true color. This avoids a situation where the shade doesn’t look quite right on the full wall.
Consider Lighting
The way lighting hits paint impacts how we perceive its color. Pink can look very different in natural daylight, indoor lighting, or shadow. As you test darkened pink paint shades, view paint samples in the same lighting conditions that the finished project will be seen in.
Certain types of lighting like fluorescents can cast a blue tone that skews pink. Incandescent bulbs warm up shades. Daylight is considered the most color-accurate. Choose your lighting wisely.
Conclusion
With the techniques above, you can easily learn how to make pink paint darker – no matter what specific pink tone you’re starting with. Small additions of complementary colors, darkening agents, or dyes will all deepen pink paint or fabric reliably. Always mix, test, and adjust until you land on your perfect custom pink.
The next time your latest pink paint color is just too soft, pale or bright, you’ll know exactly how to transform it into a rich, deeper pink that makes your project pop. So embrace your inner pink lover and start experimenting with shades today. With a few simple tweaks, you can make any pink paint darker and more stunning.