Cream is a pale tint of yellow that is made by combining white with small amounts of yellow or brown pigments. There are a few different options for making a cream color depending on the specific shade you are trying to achieve. Let’s explore some of the most common color combinations that result in a creamy off-white hue.
Adding White to Yellows
One of the simplest ways to make a cream color is by starting with a bright, lemony yellow and adding white to it. The more white you add, the paler the yellow will become until it reaches a cream shade. Some specific yellow pigments that work well for this technique include cadmium yellow, lemon yellow, and hansa yellow.
These warm yellow tones provide a rich base that can be lightened considerably with white while still retaining a hint of golden color. Too much white will result in a flat, dull color so start with 2-3 parts yellow pigment to 1 part white paint or ink. Test your mixed cream color on a palette to judge the hue before applying it. Adjust the ratio until you achieve your desired creamy yellow tone.
Combining White and Browns
In addition to yellows, various earthy brown pigments can also be combined with white to produce cream colors with subtle warm undertones. Raw sienna, raw umber, and burnt sienna are examples of brown pigments that work well to make creamy neutrals.
Start with 1-2 parts brown pigment to 2-3 parts white. The brown hue will act as a subdued ground that brings in an earthy quality while the white lightens it to a pale cream shade. Too much brown will result in an overly tan color so use a light hand and build the depth gradually.
Organic pigments like raw umber will create a warmer, richer cream while inorganic pigments like burnt sienna result in a cooler, more neutral cream tone. Experiment with the type of brown to affect the undertone of your mixed cream color.
Combining Complementary Colors
You can also mix complementary colors together in various ratios to produce a muted, creamy pastel shade. Common complementary color pairs that work well for this include:
| Orange + Blue |
| Red + Green |
| Yellow + Violet |
Start with about a 2:1 ratio of your main hue to its complement. For example, two parts orange to one part blue. Adjust the percentages gradually to tone down the color intensity and arrive at a creamier neutral.
Since color opposites naturally tone each other down, this is an effective way to mute pure hues into softer pastel versions. Just take care not to overmix or the colors will end up greying each other out. Creamy pastels work best when hints of both parent colors are still visible.
Tinting with White or Black
Another handy option for adjusting any hue into a cream version is by tinting it with either white or black. By lightening a color with white or darkening it with black, you de-saturate the original hue into a more neutral cream shade.
Start by adding 10-20% white or black to your base color. Pure cadmium red lightened with white makes a peachy cream. Forest green darkened slightly with black becomes a rich avocado cream. Monitor the color shift as you add white or black until you achieve the right creamy pastel tint.
This technique offers great flexibility since you can alter any color of your choosing into a custom cream version. Match your cream tint to an interior design scheme, fabric swatch, or other creative vision.
Using Soft Pastel Pigments
Certain pigments naturally possess a soft, creamy quality straight from the tube. Pastel paint colors are formulated to have a lighter tint and lower saturation. Some inherently creamy pastel pigments to look for include:
– Zinc white: A very clean mixing white with creamy undertones.
– Titanium buff: A pale warm cream pigment.
– Quinacridone gold: A lush pastel yellow with creamy beige tones.
– Permrose: A creamy soft pink.
– Cream: Despite the name, this pigment is actually more of a buttery orange pastel.
You can use these pigments as-is for an instant creamy color. Or mix them with other colors to tone down intensity and impart a creamy softness. Their inherently pale tint means you don’t have to add much white to achieve a delicate cream shade.
Layering Translucent Glazes
With watercolors, colored pencils, markers or other translucent media, you can layer colors on top of each other to blend hues into new cream shades. Start with a yellow glaze, allow it to fully dry, then follow up with a thin white glaze on top. The layers will interact to produce a creamy pastel result.
You can do the same technique starting with any light color and finishing with white or zinc white as the final translucent glaze. The light color peeking through the white overlay desaturates the hue into a delicately blended cream. This is an easy way to mix new cream shades without having to physically combine paints.
Using Neutral Gray as a Base
For an easy shortcut to creamy shades, start by mixing a neutral gray base first. Combining complementary colors like French ultramarine blue and burnt sienna will quickly produce a neutral dark gray. From there you can add small amounts of brown, yellow, pink or other colors to shift the gray into a related cream hue.
The neutral gray foundation helps tone down the intensity of any color you layer over it. You can make creamy beiges, taupes, mushroom colors, and more this way without having to extensively blend multiple pigments. Just be careful not to add too much color on top or the cream will become too saturated.
Choosing Cream Color Palettes
Once you have mixed your desired cream color, choosing harmonious shades to go with it is important. Cream and beige act as versatile neutral backdrops that pair nicely with both warm and cool palettes.
Here are some examples of palettes that coordinate beautifully with cream:
Warm neutrals:
Browns, tans, golds, light yellows
Peach, coral, brick red, burnt orange
Moss green, sage, ochre
Cool neutrals:
Grays, charcoal, taupe, stone
Sky blue, periwinkle, slate blue
Seafoam, sage, olive green
Soft pastels:
Lavender, baby blue, mint, strawberry, melon
Earth tones:
Ochre, sienna, umber, sepia, rust
Terracotta, adobe, clay
The creamy base helps soften and unify any assortment of accent colors. Keep saturations low for a cohesive look. Monochromatic, analogous, and triadic color schemes work nicely for cream palettes.
Uses for Cream Colors
The warm yet delicate aesthetic of cream makes it suitable for all design environments. Consider using cream colors in these elements:
Walls: Cream walls serve as a soft, elegant backdrop in living rooms, bedrooms and offices. The versatility works with any style.
Furniture: Upholster furniture or use cream painted finishes for a light and airy look.
Accessories: Cream is beautiful in pillows, throws, lampshades, rugs, and decor accents.
Kitchens: Cream cabinets, walls and decor create a warm and welcoming kitchen space.
Bathrooms: Cream is soothing and spa-like in bathrooms when used in tiles, paint colors, or linen hues.
Weddings: Cream suits weddings for dresses, flowers, and reception decor.
Wardrobe: Cream clothing serves as elegant neutrals that can be worn year-round.
So whether you are aiming for a cozy cottage vibe or modern elegance, cream is a versatile hue that suits any style. The soothing softness pairs beautifully alongside bolder accents and colors. With endless options for making the perfect creamy shade, you can handcraft a custom neutral that complements your creative vision.
