Color mixing is the process of combining different colored pigments or light together to create new colors. The ratio of color mixing refers to the proportions of each color used to make a new shade. Understanding color ratios is key for artists and designers looking to accurately mix custom colors.
Primary Colors
In painting, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These are the core pigments that can’t be created by mixing other colors. Secondary colors are made by combining two primary colors in equal ratios:
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Yellow + Blue = Green
- Blue + Red = Violet
Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and secondary color together. For example, red and orange make red-orange. The ratio is usually 1 part primary color to 2 parts secondary color.
Complementary Colors
Complementary colors sit opposite each other on the color wheel. Common complementary pairs include:
- Red & Green
- Yellow & Purple
- Blue & Orange
These combinations create high contrast when placed side-by-side. Complementary colors are often used at full saturation to make elements stand out on a page.
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors are groups of three colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. They always contain one primary color and two secondary colors. For example:
- Red, red-orange, orange
- Yellow, yellow-green, green
- Blue, blue-violet, violet
Analogous color schemes are often found in nature and are very harmonious and pleasing to the eye. They are commonly used for backgrounds.
Triadic Colors
A triadic color scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. This creates a vibrant look with strong visual contrast. Common triads include:
- Red, yellow, blue
- Orange, green, violet
- Yellow-orange, blue-violet, red-violet
Triadic colors tend to clash when used in equal proportion, so one color is often dominant with the others used for accents.
Tetradic & Square Colors
Tetradic color schemes use four colors arranged into two complementary pairs. This creates a balanced, dynamic effect. Tetrads are also known as square and rectangular color schemes. Some examples include:
- Red, green, blue, orange
- Yellow, violet, green, red-orange
- Blue, orange, yellow-green, red-violet
The tetradic scheme provides maximum contrast, but can be jarring if not carefully balanced. Often one color dominates, with the others used sparingly.
Monochromatic Colors
Monochromatic color schemes use variations in lightness and saturation of a single base hue. This creates a minimalist, elegant look. For example:
- Dark blue, medium blue, light blue
- Pale orange, burnt orange, red orange
- Light purple, medium purple, dark purple
Adding white and black to a color creates tints and shades. Increasing saturation takes a color towards its full intensity. Monochromatic schemes are easy to balance and coordinate.
Color Mixing Ratios
Understanding basic color mixing ratios helps artists blend consistent colors. Here are some common formulas:
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Ratio | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Yellow | 1:1 | Orange |
| Yellow | Blue | 1:1 | Green |
| Blue | Red | 1:1 | Violet |
| Red | Orange | 1:2 | Red-orange |
| Yellow | Green | 1:2 | Yellow-green |
| Blue | Violet | 1:2 | Blue-violet |
Tinting Colors
Tinting involves adding white to a color to lighten it. Common tinting ratios include:
- 10% white to 90% color = 10% tint
- 25% white to 75% color = 25% tint
- 50% white to 50% color = 50% tint
Tinting by 25% is a good starting point for pale shades. Darker tints use less white (10% or less).
Shading Colors
Shading involves adding black to darken a color. Some standard shading ratios:
- 10% black to 90% color = 10% shade
- 25% black to 75% color = 25% shade
- 50% black to 50% color = 50% shade
A 25% shade is a good base for medium dark tones. Lighter shades use less black (10% or so).
Saturating Colors
Increasing the saturation makes colors more vivid and intense. Common saturation ratios:
- 25% increase = 1.25x original saturation
- 50% increase = 1.5x original saturation
- 100% increase = 2x original saturation
Doubling saturation (100% increase) yields completely saturated colors. Start with 25-50% increases for bolder but not overpowering shades.
Understanding Color Mixing
Mixing colors is both a science and an art. Mastering the foundational ratios provides a helpful starting point. But practice makes perfect – keep mixing and testing colors to gain an intuitive feel for blending. Experiment with different ratios and color combinations. The more you work with pigments and light, the better you’ll get at mixing custom colors.
Conclusion
Color mixing ratios provide guidance on blending primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Equal parts primary colors make secondaries. Mixing primaries and secondaries creates vibrant tertiaries. Tinting, shading, and saturating offer more variations. But cultural associations and personal preferences also influence how we perceive color interactions. Mastering mixing involves learning the fundamentals as well as exploring how colors interact according to your own artistic vision.