Canary yellow is a bright, warm yellow color that got its name from canary birds. It’s often described as being between lemon yellow and golden yellow on the color wheel. There are several ways to mix other colors together to create a canary yellow hue. In this article, we’ll explore what colors can be combined to make this cheerful shade.
Primary Colors
The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. These are the 3 basic colors that can be mixed together to create all other colors. To make canary yellow using only primary colors:
| Yellow | 100% |
| Red | 0% |
| Blue | 0% |
As you can see, since canary yellow is a pure shade of yellow, it requires 100% yellow from the primary color wheel. Adding any amounts of blue or red would start shifting it towards a green or orange tint.
Secondary Colors
The secondary colors are green, orange, and purple. They are created by mixing two primary colors together. For example:
| Green | Blue + Yellow |
| Orange | Red + Yellow |
| Purple | Blue + Red |
To make canary yellow from secondary colors:
| Orange | 100% |
| Green | 0% |
| Purple | 0% |
Since canary yellow sits between lemon yellow and golden yellow, using pure orange from the secondary color wheel will achieve that bright, warm yellow tone. Adding any green would give it a lime tint, while purple would start to mute it towards tan.
Tertiary Colors
Tertiary colors are made by mixing one primary color with one secondary color. For example:
| Yellow-orange | Yellow + Orange |
| Yellow-green | Yellow + Green |
| Red-orange | Red + Orange |
| Red-purple | Red + Purple |
| Blue-green | Blue + Green |
| Blue-purple | Blue + Purple |
To make canary yellow from tertiary colors:
| Yellow-orange | 100% |
| Yellow-green | 0% |
| Red-orange | 0% |
| Red-purple | 0% |
| Blue-green | 0% |
| Blue-purple | 0% |
Again, since canary yellow contains more yellow than orange, using pure yellow-orange will create that vibrant, sunny hue. Adding any greenish tints from yellow-green or blue-green would dull it down.
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors are any two colors located directly across from each other on the color wheel. They create the highest contrast when placed next to each other. The complementary color of yellow is purple.
To make canary yellow using complements:
| Yellow | 100% |
| Purple | 0% |
Adding any amount of purple would quickly turn canary yellow into a mud-like, brown tone. So complements are not the best for mixing a clean, bright yellow.
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors sit directly next to each other on the color wheel. They create harmony and gradient hues. The analogous colors of yellow include yellow-orange and yellow-green.
To make canary yellow using analogues:
| Yellow | 100% |
| Yellow-orange | 0% |
| Yellow-green | 0% |
Using pure yellow maintains that lemony brightness. Adding any yellow-orange would shift it towards a golden shade, while yellow-green would give it a lime tint.
Specific Color Mixes
Now that we’ve looked at the color wheel groups, here are some specific color mixes that can create a canary yellow:
| Yellow + Lemon Yellow | 50/50 ratio |
| Yellow + Orange | 75/25 ratio |
| Lemon Yellow + Orange | 60/40 ratio |
| Yellow + Cadmium Yellow | 75/25 ratio |
Mixing pure yellow with a lemon or cadmium yellow will lighten it. Adding a small amount of orange introduces warmth without muting the brightness.
Light vs. Dark Colors
Keep in mind that mixing a canary yellow with any darker colors will quickly turn it into an olive or brown shade. These include:
| Brown | 0% |
| Black | 0% |
| Navy Blue | 0% |
| Forest Green | 0% |
| Burgundy | 0% |
Stick to lighter tints of analogous colors like orange, yellow-green, and lemon yellow to keep the bright canary color from getting muddy.
Warm vs. Cool Colors
Canary yellow is considered a warm color, meaning it has a yellowish golden undertone. Mixing it with other warm hues such as:
| Orange | Good |
| Peach | Good |
| Magenta | Good |
| Marigold | Good |
Will enhance that cozy brightness. On the other hand, mixing it with cool colors like:
| Mint Green | Not good |
| Robin Egg Blue | Not good |
| Violet | Not good |
| Teal | Not good |
Will create a high-contrast, vibrant look instead of a sunny glow.
How Different Mediums Affect Color Mixing
The colors required to make canary yellow will vary slightly depending on the painting or drawing medium used:
| Paint | Use a lemon yellow base with a touch of cadmium yellow and orange |
| Colored Pencils | Layer a yellow pencil base with orange and yellow-orange pencils |
| Markers | Blend a lemon yellow marker with a pure yellow marker |
| Chalk/Pastels | Blend a bright yellow pastel with a hint of orange pastel |
| Crayons | Use a pure yellow crayon base with minimal orange |
The waxier the medium, the less secondary colors are needed to tint the base yellow. Very translucent mediums like markers require more mixing to desaturate the lemon shade.
Tinting Canary Yellow with White
Another way to mix canary yellow is by tinting a pure yellow base with white. This lightens the shade for a softer, pastel effect.
| Yellow | 75% |
| White | 25% |
Adding more white beyond 25% quickly turns canary yellow into a pale banana shade. Use a 3:1 ratio for a vibrant, yet softened yellow.
Toning Down Canary Yellow with Grey
When you want to subdue the brightness of canary yellow without shifting the hue, mix in small amounts of grey:
| Yellow | 85% |
| Grey | 15% |
This creates a calm, elegant version of canary yellow. Adding black has the same muting effect, but also introduces a slight green bias.
Shading Canary Yellow
To shade canary yellow while keeping consistent color harmony, mix the hue with brown, orange, or yellow ochre.
| Canary Yellow + Brown | Warm, golden shadows |
| Canary Yellow + Orange | Richer, glowing shadows |
| Canary Yellow + Yellow Ochre | Natural, earthen shadows |
Burnt umber and raw sienna also create pleasant shadows. Avoid black, navy, or violet for shading.
Highlighting Canary Yellow
To highlight canary yellow, mix in lemon yellow, yellow, or white.
| Canary Yellow + Lemon Yellow | Vibrant highlights |
| Canary Yellow + Yellow | Bright, warm highlights |
| Canary Yellow + White | Soft, pale highlights |
This keeps the highlights within the same yellow family for cohesion. Avoid greens, blues, or purples which might look discordant.
Canary Yellow Color Palettes
Some pleasing color palettes that include canary yellow:
| Canary yellow, caramel, burgundy, slate blue |
| Canary yellow, avocado green, terracotta, walnut brown |
| Canary yellow, baby blue, carnation pink, charcoal grey |
| Canary yellow, French blue, clementine, vanilla |
Choose rich earth tones, warm neutrals, and harmonious shades of orange, green, pink, or blue to make canary yellow pop.
Canary Yellow in Interior Design
In interior spaces, canary yellow evokes feelings of joy and energy. It works best as an accent in small doses.
| Living Room | Yellow throw pillows or vase |
| Dining Room | Yellow table runner |
| Bedroom | Yellow headboard or chair |
| Kitchen | Yellow appliances or decor |
Pair it with neutral walls, flooring, and furniture to let it shine. Canary yellow complements many wood tones and natural materials.
Canary Yellow Fashion
In clothing and fashion, canary yellow flatters a wide variety of skin tones. It’s a bold statement shade that suits many styles.
| Light Skin | Pair with blue denim and ebony |
| Fair Skin | Complement with dove grey and blush |
| Medium Skin | Mix with muted blues and tans |
| Olive Skin | Blend with rich greens and browns |
| Dark Skin | Stunning on its own or with white |
From sundresses to shoes to purses, canary yellow infuses cheerfulness into any outfit. It looks great with silvers, whites, blues, browns, and blacks.
Canary Yellow in Branding
In business branding, canary yellow represents joy, optimism, and creativity. It stands out from across the room and leaves a memorable impression.
| Logo Color | Pops against black, white, blue, gray |
| Packaging | Grabs attention on shelves or displays |
| Promotional Items | Mugs, pens, bags, wears well |
| Brand Messaging | Fun, cheerful, energetic tone |
This shade helps brands connect on an emotional level and build affinity. Use it to spark enthusiasm and delight.
Conclusion
Canary yellow is one of the happiest, most uplifting colors you can mix. It provides a burst of cheer and optimism wherever it goes. Follow the tips in this article to mix up this lively hue using primary, secondary, and tertiary colors from the yellow family. Add just a touch of orange and white to create a clean, radiant canary yellow. Use color theory to pick the perfect palette and make this color sing. With endless applications from painting to interior design, canary yellow is a joyful addition to any project.
