What Colors Do You Mix To Make Brown?
Brown is an earthy, natural color that is made by mixing other colors together. To understand how to make brown, it’s helpful to first understand the basics of color theory and how colors mix. There are primary colors, which can’t be made by mixing other colors, secondary colors made by mixing two primary colors, and tertiary colors made by mixing a primary and secondary color. By mixing certain colors in different ratios, you can create various shades of brown.
The primary colors are red, blue and yellow. When you mix any two primary colors, you get a secondary color – for example, mixing red and yellow makes orange. When you mix a primary color with a secondary color that doesn’t contain that primary, you get a tertiary color.
Primary Colors
The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These are the three pigment colors that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these three hues.
Red is the color of fire and blood. It’s associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power, determination, as well as passion, desire, and love. Red is a very emotionally intense color.
Yellow is the color of sunshine and gold. It represents joy, happiness, intellect, and energy. Yellow produces a warming effect and arouses cheerfulness. However, it can also suggest cowardice.
Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth, stability, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and tranquility. Dark blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, and seriousness.
Secondary Colors
Secondary colors are created by mixing two primary colors together in equal proportions. The three secondary colors are green, orange, and purple.
Green is made by mixing the primary colors blue and yellow. When you combine these two paint colors, the resulting secondary color is green. On the color wheel, green sits between its parent colors blue and yellow.
Orange is made by mixing the primary colors red and yellow. When you mix together red and yellow paint, the resulting secondary color is orange. On the color wheel, orange sits between red and yellow.
Purple is made by mixing the primary colors red and blue. When you combine red and blue paint, the resulting secondary color is purple. On the color wheel, purple sits between its parent colors red and blue.
Tertiary Colors
Tertiary colors are made by combining a primary color with a secondary color adjacent to it on the color wheel. For example:
- Red + Orange = Red-orange
- Orange + Yellow = Yellow-orange
- Yellow + Green = Yellow-green
- Green + Blue = Blue-green
- Blue + Purple = Blue-purple
- Purple + Red = Red-purple
Tertiary colors have more complex names like reddish-orange, greenish-yellow, etc. They represent the transitional stages between each of the six main hues. With 12 tertiary colors, the color wheel is complete with primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
Shades of Brown
Brown comes in many different shades, from very light tan to very dark brown. The shade of brown depends on what colors are mixed together and in what proportions. Some of the most common shades of brown include:
Light Brown
Light shades of brown include colors like beige, tan, and fawn. These browns have a soft, muted appearance and include only a small amount of black or blue mixed with orange/yellow. Light browns are commonly used for paint colors, clothing, and home decor.
Medium Brown
Medium browns are more saturated versions of light brown. They may include a slightly higher proportion of black or blue mixed into the orange/yellow base. Medium shades like taupe and chestnut are commonly seen in wood stains, leather goods, and fall foliage.
Dark Brown
Dark browns have a richer, deeper tone thanks to higher concentrations of black or blue pigment. Dark browns include chocolate, coffee, mahogany, and other shades that verge on black. Dark browns are used for many wood finishes, leather, and as a neutral color in interior design.
Mixing Primary Colors
When you mix the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue), you create secondary colors. By combining two primary colors in equal amounts, you get:
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Red + Blue = Purple
- Blue + Yellow = Green
The secondary colors are orange, green, and purple. Understanding these basic combinations is key to learning how to mix the array of colors we see. When you combine primary colors, you are engaging in subtractive color mixing, which refers to the process of starting with white light and absorbing certain wavelengths to produce colors.
Adding Black or White
Adding black or white to a color is one of the easiest ways to modify the shade. Adding black will darken the color, while adding white will lighten it. This works for any color, not just when mixing colors to make brown.
When mixing paint colors, adding a small amount of black paint will create a darker shade, while adding white paint will lighten the color. Start with small amounts, like a couple drops or spoonfuls, then increase as needed to achieve the desired shade.
For example, if you start with a golden yellow color, adding white will take it towards a pale creamy yellow. Adding black will shift it towards an earthy olive green brown. The more black added, the darker the shade becomes.
Black and white are useful for subtly adjusting the darkness or lightness of any mixed color. They allow you to dial in the exact shade of brown you are trying to achieve.
Mixing to Make Brown
Brown can be made by mixing complementary colors on the color wheel. The two main complementary color combinations that create brown are:
- Red + Green
- Orange + Purple
When you mix a primary color with its complementary secondary color, a brown tone is created. Red and green are complementary, as are orange and purple. Combining these colors results in a brown color.
For example, mixing red paint with green paint will make a brown. Adding orange paint to purple paint will also create a brown tone. The specific shade of brown depends on the proportions of each color used.
On the traditional RYB color wheel, red’s complement is green and orange’s complement is purple. When mixed, they neutralize each other’s hue and lower the saturation, producing a brown color.
Proportions for Different Browns
The specific ratio of primary colors used when mixing paint to make brown will result in subtle variations in hue and shade. Here are some guidelines for achieving different brown tones:
For a reddish brown, use more red paint in the mixture. Aim for a 2:1 ratio of red to yellow. Adding a small amount of blue will tone down the redness.
For an earthy brown, use equal parts red, yellow, and blue paint. The balanced combination will create a rich, natural brown.
For a greenish olive brown, use more yellow and blue paint than red paint in the mix. A 1:2:1 ratio of red to yellow to blue will push the tone toward an olive hue.
To make a deep chocolate brown, use more blue paint, less red, and very little yellow. The higher proportion of blue will create a darker, cooler brown.
Add white paint to lighten any brown mixture. Add black paint to produce deeper, darker browns approaching black.
Conclusion
To summarize, the color brown is created by mixing complementary colors from opposite sides of the color wheel such as red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple. The most common way to make brown is to mix red, green, and blue in varying proportions. Adding more red brings the brown closer to a reddish-brown, while adding more green creates an olive or yellow-toned brown. Different shades of brown can also be created by adding white, black or grey to the color mixture. Some key tips for mixing custom browns are to start with small amounts of paint or dye, keep track of color ratios for replication, and adjust as needed by adding more of the constituent colors or neutral white/black/grey. With some practice mixing paints or dyes, you can create an endless variety of brown tones and shades for any project.
