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What is the color brownish green?

What is the color brownish green?

Brownish green is a color that combines the earthy tones of brown with the bright vibrancy of green. It’s a rich, natural shade that can be found in nature and brings a sense of organic harmony. As a tertiary color, brownish green mixes three primary colors – yellow, red, and blue – resulting in a muted, complex hue.

Defining Brownish Green

In simple terms, brownish green is what you get when you mix the color brown with the color green. It sits between these two distinct shades on the color wheel, inheriting qualities from both parents. Brown grounds the color with earthiness and a feeling of stability. Green contributes vibrancy and a sense of renewal. Together, they strike a natural balance.

There are many shades of brownish green depending on the specific ratio of brown to green. More brown yields an olive shade while more green results in a mossy or forest green. Brownish greens may also take on grayish or yellowish hints depending on the mix.

Brownish greens are considered tertiary colors or intermediate hues. This means they are created by combining the three primary colors – red, blue and yellow. Primary colors cannot be created by mixing other colors but all other colors can be formed using primaries. To make brownish green, you would mix:

  • Yellow for the brownish, earthy quality
  • Red for subtle hints of russet or orange in the brown
  • Blue for the greenish tones

By adjusting the proportions of each primary, you can create different shades of brownish green.

Brownish Green in Nature

Brownish green is a color commonly found in the natural world. Many plants, trees and landscapes exhibit different shades of brownish green hues.

Forest canopies often appear a lush green from afar but up close, the leaves show subtle brownish undertones. Mosses and lichens covering tree trunks and forest floors also display brownish greens. These colors allow plants to blend in with tree bark and soil, providing camouflage.

Olives are a prime example of a brownish green color in nature. Unripe olives are green but as they ripen, they turn a brownish shade of green, eventually becoming black. Avocados follow a similar pattern, shifting from green to brownish green as they mature.

Many gemstones also naturally exhibit brownish green hues including:

  • Emerald – A highly-prized green gemstone with a slightly brownish green color
  • Jade – Ranges from light green to deeper brownish greens
  • Tsavorite – A brownish green garnet
  • Malachite – A striking mineral with swirling patterns in green and brownish green

Animal species are often brownish green as well to aid their camouflage in forests and jungles. The green tree python, green sea turtles and some frogs and insects all display brownish green coloration.

Shades of Brownish Green

There are many shades of brownish green ranging from darker, earthier hues to light, bright greens with just a hint of brown. Here are some common shades:

Shade Name Hex Code
Dark Olive #556B2F
Laurel Green #A9BA9D
Moss Green #8A9A5B
Hazelnut #8E806A
Drab #967117
Avocado #87A96B
Spruce #0A5F38
Fern #71BC78

Olive green is one of the most common brownish green shades. It mixes more brown than green and has an earthy, muted appearance. Moss green includes a bit more green for a brighter effect while hazelnut amps up the brown. Spruce evokes the rich greenish brown of evergreen trees.

How Lighting Affects Brownish Greens

Lighting plays a key role in how brownish greens are perceived. Natural light often brings out the green undertones while incandescent or candle light emphasizes the brownish notes.

Green pigment reflects green light waves while absorbing other colors. In bright natural light, the green wavelengths are most intense so greens appear vivid. Under dim, artificial light, the muted brown undertones come through because there is less green light to reflect.

This effect can be seen on evergreen trees and shrubs. On a sunny day, the foliage looks bright green. At night, streetlights and house lights cast the trees in a drab olive shade.

When using brownish greens in design or decor, be aware of how the lighting affects the look. Display brownish green fabrics, paints or accessories in both daytime and artificial light to get the full spectrum of shades.

Cultural Associations

Brownish green shades carry many cultural associations:

  • Nature – Brownish greens are strongly tied to the natural world – forests, plants, trees, moss and gems.
  • Camouflage – Olive green and drab shades are associated with camouflage and military combat uniforms.
  • Health – As a mix of brown and green, brownish greens represent healthy natural foods like avocados, herbs and vegetables.
  • Relaxation – Mossy, peaceful greens evoke relaxation and harmony with nature.
  • History – Olive greens bring to mind antiquity and ancient cultures like Greece, Rome and the Middle East.
  • Masculinity – Earthy olive and brownish green shades have traditionally been associated with masculine design and style.

These associations can be used intentionally to evoke certain moods or themes when using brownish greens in design and branding.

Using Brownish Greens in Design

Brownish green is a versatile, nature-inspired color that can be incorporated into designs in many ways:

  • Branding – For an earthy, natural brand image, use brownish greens in logos, packaging and collateral.
  • Home decor – Paint walls in olive green or use brownish green accent pieces like throw pillows, rugs and curtains.
  • Nature photography – The color pops when surrounded by blue skies, water and yellow/orange landscapes.
  • Jewelry – Emeralds, jade and other brownish green stones make striking jewelry.
  • Weddings – Brownish green wedding color schemes are on trend, along with green foliage decor.

When using greenish browns in any design, carefully choose your shades based on lighting conditions and desired mood. Dark olive green may suit a bold, masculine design while a light mossy green conveys peacefulness and relaxation. Stay mindful of cultural associations as well.

Complementary Colors

Certain colors pair exceptionally well with brownish green to create vibrant, pleasing color schemes. Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel, creating maximum contrast when combined. For brownish greens, excellent color partnerships include:

  • Red – A vibrant, energetic color that pops against brownish green.
  • Yellow – Cheery and optimistic, yellow brings light to muted greens.
  • Blue – Cool, calming blue creates balance with earthy greens.
  • Purple – Regal purple adds a sense of luxury when paired with olive and mossy greens.

In addition to color wheel complements, brown, beige and other neutral shades also complement brownish greens nicely in earthy, natural color schemes.

Conclusion

Brownish green is a dynamic, flexible color that connects us to nature and history. It comes in many shades but all evoke a sense of the organic world. Use brownish greens when you want to create a relaxing yet stimulating mood. This muted, rich color works wonderfully in nature photography, home decor, jewelry, design and branding.