Pink is a beautiful and versatile color that can add a soft, feminine touch or a bright pop of color. But pink isn’t a primary color – it’s actually made by combining other colors together. So what ink colors can you mix to make different shades of pink? Let’s take a look!
Primary Colors
The three primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These are called primary colors because they can’t be created by mixing other colors – all other colors are derived from some combination of these three.
To make secondary colors, you combine two primary colors:
| Red + Yellow | Makes Orange |
| Yellow + Blue | Makes Green |
| Blue + Red | Makes Purple |
As you can see, mixing primary colors gives you the secondary colors orange, green, and purple. Pink, however, is not a secondary color. To get various shades of pink, you need to mix a primary color with a secondary color.
Making Pink with Red + White
The simplest way to make pink is to start with the primary color red and add white to it. White is not technically a primary color, but it’s needed to lighten and desaturate colors.
Here’s a look at pink shades you can make by mixing red ink with white ink:
| Mostly Red + Small Amount of White | Bright Pink |
| Equal Parts Red + White | Medium Pink |
| Mostly White + Small Amount of Red | Light Pink |
As you increase the ratio of white to red, the pink becomes lighter and more pastel. With mostly red and just a touch of white, you get a vivid fuchsia-type pink.
This simple red + white combination gives you quite a wide range of pink shades!
Making Pink with Red + Blue
Another way to produce pink is by mixing the primary colors red and blue. When blended together in different ratios, these two colors make lovely cool-toned pinks.
| Mostly Red + Small Amount of Blue | Raspberry Pink |
| Equal Parts Red + Blue | Bubblegum Pink |
| Mostly Blue + Small Amount of Red | Blush Pink |
Going from predominantly red to mostly blue takes the pink from a vivid berry shade to a soft baby pink. Combining these primary colors is a great way to access pinks with a subtle cool undertone.
Making Pink with Red + Purple
You can also mix the primary color red with the secondary color purple to produce girly pink tones. Purple contains red already, so adding more red pushes the color towards pink.
| Mostly Red + Small Amount of Purple | Cerise Pink |
| Equal Parts Red + Purple | Fuschia Pink |
| Mostly Purple + Small Amount of Red | Orchid Pink |
These red-purple mixes yield rich pinks that lean slightly cool or warm depending on the ratios. It’s fun to play with the blend to get hues ranging from bold magenta to soft lilac-tinted pink.
Making Pink with Orange + White
Pink can also be mixed from the secondary color orange when white is added. Orange contains red already, so diluting it with white brings out a pink undertone.
| Mostly Orange + Small Amount of White | Salmon Pink |
| Equal Parts Orange + White | Peach Pink |
| Mostly White + Small Amount of Orange | Apricot Pink |
These orangey pinks offer a warmer, more summery feel. The white softens the orange shades, making them sweeter and more delicate.
Making Pink with Yellow + Red
Believe it or not, you can also mix yellow with red to produce certain shades of pink! Adding yellow to red brings out a warmer, tropical feeling.
| Mostly Red + Small Amount of Yellow | Coral Pink |
| Equal Parts Red + Yellow | Melon Pink |
| Mostly Yellow + Small Amount of Red | Peachy Pink |
From vibrant coral to peachy pink, this combo yields fun, summery hues. The yellow transforms the red into sassy, sun-kissed pinks.
Making Pink with Magenta + White
Magenta is a secondary color made from red + blue, but you can also use it as a pink base when mixed with white:
| Mostly Magenta + Small Amount of White | Vivid Fuchsia |
| Equal Parts Magenta + White | Ballet Slipper Pink |
| Mostly White + Small Amount of Magenta | Pastel Pink |
The magenta gives these colors a bolder pop of pink that white then softens into tamer pastel shades. This lets you span the range from dramatic to dainty pinks.
Making Pink with Rose + White
For dusty vintage pink tones, you can mix a dark crimson “rose” color with white:
| Mostly Rose + Small Amount of White | Old Rose Pink |
| Equal Parts Rose + White | Mauve Pink |
| Mostly White + Small Amount of Rose | Antique Pink |
These aged pinks have a lovely faded elegance about them. Mixing in white gives the rose color a softened, nostalgic beauty.
Making Pink with Purple + White
Finally, the secondary color purple can be lightened with white to form pretty girly pinks:
| Mostly Purple + Small Amount of White | Lilac Pink |
| Equal Parts Purple + White | Lavender Pink |
| Mostly White + Small Amount of Purple | Ballet Pink |
Diluting purple with increasing amounts of white produces delicately sweet pinks, like the pink of a ballerina’s tutu. They have a lovely romantic vibe.
Key Takeaways
– Pink is made by mixing primary colors red and blue with white or other colors.
– Combining red + white makes bright, vivid pinks.
– Red + blue creates cooler raspberry pinks.
– Orange + white yields warm peachy pinks.
– Red + purple makes rich fuschia pinks.
– Yellow + red produces tropical coral and melon pinks.
– Magenta, rose, and purple are darkened pink bases that white softens into lighter pastel pinks.
– Explore mixing different color ratios to access a wide range of beautiful pink shades!
Conclusion
As you can see, pink is a versatile color that can be mixed from several different color combinations. While red + white is the simplest way to make basic pink, bringing in other primary and secondary colors allows you to blend more nuanced shades. From bold hot pinks to soft pastel pinks, play around with the different pink recipes to find your perfect hue!
