Bianca Learns to paint at Paint 'n' Sip Studios in Christchurch with FAS Student Acrylic.

As a novice artist, grasping the harmonious interplay of colours is a fundamental skill to master. Though initially intimidating, the art of paint mixing can empower you to create the artwork you'll take pride in and bolster your confidence for more intricate colour combinations.

​In this tutorial, we'll guide you through the process of paint mixing across various mediums, including acrylic and oil. Additionally, we'll delve into colour theory, enabling you to discern which colours to blend in order to produce new shades and hues. Prepare to unlock a realm of possibilities that await your artistic vision!

Before embarking on the journey of mixing paint colours, it's essential to grasp the fundamental principles of colour. Colour theory serves as a guiding framework for artists to make informed colour choices. As you delve into colour theory, you'll encounter key phrases and concepts such as:

1. Hue: Refers to the specific shade of a colour, like blue or red.
2. Primary Colour: Red, blue, and yellow are the primary colours, and they cannot be created by mixing other colours. All other colours are formed by combining primary colours in different proportions.
3. Secondary Colour: A colour produced by blending two primary colours together. Examples include orange, green, and purple.
4. Tertiary Colour: Colours formed by mixing a secondary and primary colours. For instance, yellow-green is a tertiary colour.
5. Complementary Colours: Colours situated opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as red and green. Complementary colours create a striking contrast and can enhance the depth and vibrancy of your paintings.

By familiarising yourself with these foundational colour concepts, you'll gain a solid understanding of colour theory, allowing you to make informed decisions when mixing and working with colours in your artwork.

When learning the art of paint mixing, it's beneficial to have a colour wheel within reach for reference. Developed by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666, the colour wheel organizes the entire colour spectrum into a circular format. Colour theory builds upon the principles presented in the colour wheel, revealing the relationships between colours and assisting artists in identifying harmonious or contrasting combinations. Even experienced artists frequently consult the colour wheel before embarking on new projects.
​
Which colours can you mix to create other colours? To obtain a secondary colour, you'll need to blend two primary colours together. Purple is formed by combining red and blue, orange results from mixing red and yellow, and green is created by blending yellow and blue. The resulting shade depends on the proportions or ratios of each primary colour used in the mixture. From there, you can continue mixing secondary and primary colours to produce tertiary colours.

If you're learning how to create brown paint by mixing colours, start with the primary colours (red, blue, yellow) and blend them together. This combination will produce a darker shade of brown. To achieve lighter tones, experiment with complementary colours. For example, mixing orange and blue will give you a brown with a subtle touch of green, while purple and yellow will result in a brighter brown shade. With paint mixing, there are endless possibilities, so feel free to test different combinations on scrap paper until you achieve the desired colour.

You may also wonder how to create red paint by mixing colours but remember that red is a primary colour, which means it cannot be obtained by mixing other colours. While exploring paint mixing, you can combine red with secondary colours to create deeper shades such as burgundy or lighter hues like pink. However, pure red cannot be achieved through mixing.
Now that you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of colour theory, it's time to put your knowledge into practice with your chosen paint medium. You don't necessarily need to mix all your paints before starting your painting session, but make sure to take note of the ratios if you do mix colours, allowing you to recreate them if necessary.