Making Black Paint: 5 Easy Color Mixing Methods
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 6 min read

Contents

  1. Mixing Blue and Brown
  2. Combining Red, Blue, and Yellow
  3. Blending Blue and Orange
  4. Adding White to Dark Blue
  5. Mixing Green and Red

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your black paint has run dry, and the stores are closed? Don't fret! This guide is here to help you make your own black paint at home. These five easy color mixing methods will teach you the art of making black paint. You'll be surprised at how simple it is!

Mixing Blue and Brown

Let's start with the first method on how to make a black: mixing blue and brown. This might sound odd, but trust me, it works like a charm.

Choosing the Right Shades

The key to getting this right is picking the right shades of blue and brown. Darker shades work best — think navy blue and dark brown. These colors have a lower brightness level, which makes them ideal for creating black.

Mixing the Paint

  1. First, squeeze a dollop of blue paint onto a palette.
  2. Next, add an equal amount of brown paint.
  3. Now, the fun part: Mix these two colors together until you get a dark, rich black. It's that easy!

Remember: If your mixture isn't dark enough, don't be afraid to add more brown. This will deepen the color and bring it closer to black.

Checking the Result

Once you've mixed your colors, it's always a good idea to test the result. Use a paintbrush to apply a stroke of your new black paint onto a piece of paper. If it's not as dark as you want, add more brown and mix again. You'll know you've nailed it when you see the perfect shade of black staring back at you from your palette.

And there you have it — you've just learned how to make a black using blue and brown! Isn't it great when you can solve problems using things you already have at hand?

Combining Red, Blue, and Yellow

Our next stop in this journey on how to make a black is by mixing red, blue, and yellow. Yes, you've guessed it — we're using the primary colors. It may seem like an art class throwback, but stick with me, it's worth it.

Proportions Are Key

When it comes to mixing primary colors, getting the proportions right is crucial. Too much of one color can throw the whole mix off. So, here's a simple rule to remember: always use equal parts of each color.

Stirring it Up

  1. Start by placing an even amount of red, blue, and yellow paint onto your palette.
  2. Then, stir these colors together until you achieve a uniform color.
  3. The result should be a deep, rich black. If it's not quite there yet, don't worry. Just add a little more of each color and keep stirring.

Note: It's important to mix thoroughly, as any unmixed colors can make your black look uneven.

Reviewing Your Work

Once you've mixed your colors, take a moment to review your work. Apply a small amount of paint onto a piece of white paper to see how it looks. If it's more of a very dark gray than a black, just add a little more of each color and mix again. Repeat this until you get your desired black.

Before you know it, you'll have created a beautiful black paint from red, blue, and yellow. It's like magic, right? But it's not — it's just the science of color mixing at work!

Blending Blue and Orange

Right, let's move onto our third method of how to make a black. It's time to blend blue and orange. These are complementary colors, so when mixed together in the right proportions, they can create a pretty convincing black.

Getting the Proportions Right

When blending blue and orange, remember this simple guide: use more blue than orange. A good starting point is to use twice as much blue as orange. This will help you achieve a pleasing, deep black.

Mixing It Up

  1. Begin by squeezing out twice as much blue paint as orange onto your palette.
  2. Next, blend these colors together until you can't see any streaks of the original colors.
  3. Inspect the color. If it's not quite black enough, add a bit more blue and mix again.

Tip: Blue is a stronger color than orange, so adding more blue to your mix will help deepen the black.

Evaluating Your Black

Take your time to evaluate your black. Apply a bit of your mixed paint onto a white surface. Does it look black enough to you? If it's still a bit on the brown side, add more blue and mix again. Keep adjusting until you achieve the black you're after.

And there you have it — a simple method on how to make a black using just blue and orange! It's a bit like creating a culinary masterpiece, isn't it? Only instead of impressing your taste buds, you're pleasing your eyes.

Adding White to Dark Blue

For our fourth method on how to make a black, we shall venture into the realm of adding white to dark blue. Though it may sound counterintuitive, this method can end up producing a black color that has an intriguing depth to it.

Choosing Your Blue

The first task is to choose your blue. The darker the blue, the better. You could use a shade like Prussian Blue or Midnight Blue - both are dark enough to give you a nice deep black when mixed with white.

Adding White: The Process

  1. Start by placing a large dollop of your chosen dark blue paint onto your palette.
  2. Add a small amount of white paint to the blue. Remember, it's easier to add more white later than to try and remove it once it's mixed in.
  3. Blend the paints together until they're fully mixed. As you mix, watch as the color gradually darkens.

Note: The goal here is to create a very dark blue, almost black. You're not aiming for a light blue or gray color.

Assessing Your Black

Once you've mixed your paints, apply a bit of the resulting color onto a white surface. Check to see if it's as black as you wanted. If it's not, add a tiny bit more white and mix again. Continue this process until you reach the desired black tone.

This method of how to make a black is a testament to the power of subtlety. With just a whisper of white added to a dark blue, you can achieve a rich, deep black. It's a reminder that sometimes, less is indeed more.

Mixing Green and Red

As we approach the last method on our journey of how to make a black, we find ourselves mixing two colors that might not seem like a natural pair: green and red. Don't let the holiday connotations of these colors fool you — together, they can produce a black that is as rich as it is unique.

Choosing Your Red and Green

Just as in cooking, the ingredients matter in color mixing. For this method, it's best to use a deep, vibrant red like Alizarin Crimson or Cadmium Red. For the green, go for a rich, dark hue like Hooker's Green or Viridian.

Mixing Red and Green: The Steps

  1. Start with equal parts of red and green on your palette. The exact ratio isn't critical, but a 50/50 mix is a good starting point.
  2. Blend the two colors together thoroughly. As you mix, the colors will combine to create a dark brown.
  3. Continue to add more green to the mix. As you do so, you'll notice the color gradually shifting towards black.

Note: The resulting black might have a slightly warm or cool undertone, depending on the specific shades of red and green you used. This is a feature, not a bug — it adds a unique personality to your black!

Evaluating Your Black

Finally, apply a bit of your freshly mixed black to a white surface. Observe the color in different lights — you might be surprised by the depth and complexity you see. If it's not quite black enough, don't hesitate to experiment with adding more green or even a touch of blue.

The magic of learning how to make a black is in the discovery that black is not just one color. It's a world of colors, a symphony of shades and tones. And who knows? The perfect black might just be a mix of green and red away.

If you enjoyed learning about making black paint and are interested in exploring the world of black and white in another medium, check out the workshop 'Intro To Black & White Photography' by Caleb Stein. This workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of black and white photography, helping you to create stunning monochromatic images that showcase the power of contrast and tonality.