Grey is a neutral color that can be created by mixing complementary colors on the color wheel. The most common combination of colors that creates a grey are blue, red, and yellow – the primary colors. When mixed together in equal parts, these three colors produce a medium neutral grey. Other combinations are possible as well, using primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. In this article, we’ll explore what three colors make grey and provide examples of color mixing to create different shades of grey.
The Basics of Color Mixing
Before looking at specific color combinations, it’s helpful to understand some basic principles of color theory. The primary colors are red, blue and yellow. These are the only colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors. Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors – green (blue + yellow), purple (blue + red), and orange (red + yellow). Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a secondary color next to it on the color wheel, like red-violet and yellow-orange.
When it comes to mixing colors, using paint, colored pencils, or other physical media – the more colors you mix together, the murkier and darker the color becomes. Mixing all three primaries results in a dark brown or black. But mixing colors of light, like on a computer or TV screen, works differently. Combining all the colors of light results in white.
With both light and paint mixing, using complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel) produces grey tones. Complementary pairs are red & green, blue & orange, purple & yellow. Mixing complements mutes the brightness of each color, resulting in a neutralized grey.
Mixing Primary Colors Makes a Medium Grey
The most common combination of colors that makes a neutral grey is the three primary colors – red, yellow and blue. When mixed together in equal amounts, these colors create a medium grey with no strong color cast.
Here is an example of mixing primaries to make a grey with paint:
| Red | Yellow | Blue |
| 33% | 33% | 33% |
And here is an example mixing light primaries to make a digital grey:
| 255 Red | 255 Green | 255 Blue |
In RGB color mixing, equal parts red, green, and blue makes a neutral medium grey. In print design, using 33% cyan, magenta, and yellow ink also produces a true grey.
Tertiary Color Mixing for Grey
While the primary colors make the most common grey, other combinations of tertiary colors can make grey tones as well. Mixing adjacent colors on the color wheel results in muted, greyed-out versions of those colors.
For example, mixing the tertiary colors red-orange and blue-violet makes a warm, reddish-grey. The exact ratio can vary to control the warmth or coolness of the grey.
Here is an example tertiary mix for a warm grey:
| 60% Red-orange | 40% Blue-violet |
Cooler grey tones can be mixed using the tertiary pair of yellow-orange and blue-violet:
| 40% Yellow-orange | 60% Blue-violet |
Adjusting the ratio controls the temperature of the grey. Adding more yellow-orange makes it warmer, while more blue-violet creates a cooler grey.
Grey from Complementary Colors
Complementary colors are directly opposite each other on the color wheel. Common complements are red & green, blue & orange, and purple & yellow. When mixed, they neutralize each other’s brightness, producing a muted grey tone.
For example, you can mix the complements blue and orange to make a neutral grey:
| 50% Blue | 50% Orange |
The exact ratio can be adjusted to control the warmth or coolness of the grey. Adding more blue makes it cooler, while more orange gives it a warmer cast.
Different complements make grey with different undertones. Here are some examples:
| Red + Green | Neutral grey |
| Purple + Yellow | Slightly cool grey |
| Blue + Orange | Slightly warm grey |
Mixing complements is a great way to neutralize a color and turn it to grey. Useful for subtly shading or highlighting an image.
Mixing Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colors
More complex greys can be created by mixing primary, secondary, and tertiary colors together. Selecting adjacent colors on the color wheel will result in muted, greyed-out versions of those colors.
Here is an example mixing multiple color families:
| 20% Red (primary) | |
| 15% Orange (secondary) | |
| 10% Yellow-orange (tertiary) | |
| 40% Blue-violet (tertiary) | |
| 15% Violet (secondary) |
This combination creates a complex, slightly warm grey tone. The red family brings warmth, while the blue family adds coolness. Adjust the percentages to fine-tune the exact grey shade.
## Conclusion
Conclusion
There are many possible color combinations that can make shades of grey. The most common and purest grey involves mixing equal parts of the primary colors – red, yellow and blue. Complementary pairs like blue and orange can also create grey tones when combined. Tertiary mixes like red-orange and blue-violet are another option. Adjusting the ratios results in warmer or cooler greys.
The key is to mix adjacent colors on the color wheel, which neutralizes their hues and results in muted, greyed-out versions. Mixing all three primaries results in the most neutral medium grey with no strong color casts. But many combinations are possible by selecting primary, secondary, and tertiary color families. Understanding these basics allows you to mix custom grey tones for any design needs.