Orange is a secondary color that is made by mixing two primary colors together. When it comes to crayon colors, there are a couple different color combinations that can be blended together to create an orange hue. By understanding color theory and knowing which crayons mix well, you can easily achieve a bright, vibrant orange color for your art projects and coloring pages.
Primary Colors
The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These are the core colors that all other colors are derived from. When you mix any two primary colors together, you get a secondary color as a result.
For example, mixing red and yellow makes orange. Mixing blue and red makes purple. And mixing blue and yellow makes green. So to make orange with crayons, you need to blend a red crayon color with a yellow crayon color.
Red-Orange Crayon Combos
Here are some red crayon and orange crayon color combinations that result in an orange hue:
| Red Crayon | Yellow Crayon |
|---|---|
| Scarlet | Lemon Yellow |
| Maroon | Laser Lemon |
| Brick Red | Sunshine |
| Cherry | Goldenrod |
| Cranberry | Dandelion |
As you can see, pairing a red crayon like Scarlet or Maroon with a yellow crayon like Lemon Yellow or Laser Lemon will give you a nice bright orange when blended together.
The red crayons with more pinkish undertones like Cranberry will create a more peachy orange when mixed with yellow. While red crayons with a deeper, richer tone like Brick Red will make an earthier, pumpkin orange color.
So the exact shade of orange you get depends on the specific red and yellow crayon shades you combine.
Yellow-Orange Crayon Combos
You can also blend yellow and orange crayon colors together to create orange shades. Here are some options:
| Yellow Crayon | Orange Crayon |
|---|---|
| Sunshine | Tangerine |
| Goldenrod | Peach |
| Banana Mania | Apricot |
| Lemon Yellow | Orange |
| Laser Lemon | Burnt Orange |
Mixing a bright yellow like Lemon Yellow or Laser Lemon with a vibrant orange like Tangerine or regular Orange will give you a vivid orange tone.
Muted yellows like Banana Mania will create a more mellow orange when combined with peachy tones like Peach or Apricot. While deep oranges like Burnt Orange blended with lemony yellows makes an earthy, rustic orange.
So you can achieve both bright and muted orange shades by selecting the right complementary yellow and orange crayon colors.
Best Crayon Color Combos for Orange
Based on color theory, these crayon color combinations will produce the richest, brightest orange hues:
– Scarlet + Lemon Yellow
– Red + Laser Lemon
– Maroon + Tangerine
– Brick Red + Orange
These pairings give you a pure orange without too much of a pink or red undertone. The intensity of the red and yellow tones gets balanced out, leaving you with a vibrant secondary orange.
For a more pastel, peach-toned orange, go for:
– Pink + Peach
– Tickle Me Pink + Melon
– Cranberry + Apricot
And for an earthy, fall-themed orange:
– Chestnut + Goldenrod
– Brown + Dandelion
– Burnt Sienna + Sunshine
So with the right complementary crayon colors, you can mix and match to create all kinds of orange shades – from neon bright to muted mellow.
Tips for Blending Crayons
Here are some tips for blending crayon colors to make orange:
– Pick crayons with bright, intense hues for the most vibrant orange. Pale or washed-out crayons won’t mix as well.
– Start with one color and apply heavy pressure to create a waxy base. Then layer the second color on top.
– Alternate between the two colors in strokes or small circular motions to gradually blend them together.
– Try different angles, ratios, and blending techniques to achieve different shades.
– Add white to lighten the orange or black to darken and mute it.
– Use colorless blender crayons or baby oil to seamlessly mix crayon colors.
– Experiment on scrap paper first to test color combinations before drawing.
– Use high-quality crayons, waxes, or oil pastels instead of cheap brands for optimal blending.
With practice and the right color pairings, you’ll be able to create any kind of orange hue you want for art projects, coloring books, or crafts.
Proportion Tips for Mixing Colors
The exact proportion of the two colors you use will impact the final orange shade you get. Here are some blending ratio guidelines:
– For a vibrant reddish-orange, use 3 parts red to 2 parts yellow
– For a bright golden orange, do 2 parts yellow to 1 part red
– For a muted orange, use equal parts red and yellow
– Add more yellow for brighter orange tones
– Add more red for deeper, darker orange hues
– Add a small amount of blue to dull the orange if it’s too neon
You can adjust the color ratios as you blend to get the right hue and saturation of orange. Don’t be afraid to experiment and tweak the proportions until you achieve your desired shade.
Crayon Brands for Best Color Selection
For the widest range of crayon colors to mix oranges with, use these top-quality crayon brands:
| Crayon Brand | Number of Colors |
|---|---|
| Crayola | 120 |
| Prismacolor | 132 |
| Staedtler | 100 |
| Faber-Castell | 120 |
| Caran d’Ache | 84 |
Crayola has iconic, vibrant colors perfect for mixing bright oranges. Prismacolor and Caran d’Ache offer soft, highly pigmented crayons for blending rich hues. Staedtler and Faber-Castell make high-quality crayons with even coverage for seamless blending.
Invest in a large crayon set from one of these trusted brands. That way, you’ll have a huge spectrum of colors to mix and match until you achieve your ideal orange tone.
Conclusion
Mixing the right red and yellow crayon colors makes it easy to create vibrant orange hues. Bright primaries like Scarlet and Lemon Yellow combine to make neon oranges. Earthier shades like Chestnut and Dandelion blend into more muted, retro oranges.
Adjust the ratios and play with different color pairings until you get your perfect tint. Use high pressure and stroke blending to mix the colors evenly. With quality crayons and a basic understanding of color theory, you’ll be able to achieve any orange color you desire through mixing.
