To make black paint by mixing colors, you generally combine primary colors or complementary colors to achieve a dark, neutral tone. Here are some effective methods:
Basic Method: Mixing Primary Colors
- Mix equal strengths (not necessarily equal amounts) of red, yellow, and blue paint. Because paint mixing is subtractive, combining these three primaries absorbs most light, resulting in black or a very dark color.
- Adjust the proportions to balance the undertones; for example, if the mix looks too purple, add a bit of yellow to neutralize it.
- Test by mixing some white with your dark mixture—if it turns gray, you have a true black
Using Complementary Colors
- Mix pairs of complementary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel), such as:
- Red and green
- Blue and orange
- Yellow and purple
- These combinations can create a rich black, and you can tweak the temperature (warm or cool) by adjusting the ratio
Specific Color Combinations for Chromatic Black
- Cadmium dark red + Viridian (greenish) for a neutral black with a red-green harmony.
- Burnt Sienna + Ultramarine Blue for a warm or cool black depending on the mix.
- Burnt Umber + Ultramarine Blue for a very good black with transparent colors.
- For the darkest blacks, mix three colors like Prussian Blue, Alizarin Crimson, and Burnt Sienna or Burnt Umber
Quick and Easy Black Mixes
- Transparent oxide red + Ultramarine Blue yields a nice inky black; add more oxide red to warm it or more ultramarine blue to cool it.
- Alizarin Crimson + Viridian also produces a cool black
Summary
- Mixing your own black allows control over undertones and color harmony in your artwork.
- It helps avoid "muddy" colors by using the right pigments and proportions.
- Experimentation is key to achieving the desired black tone tailored to your painting
In essence, black paint can be made by mixing primary colors (red, yellow, blue) or complementary colors in the right proportions, with adjustments to achieve warm or cool blacks suited to your artistic needs.
