Black is a widely used color in painting, but it can happen that you don't have it at hand or you want a black shade that changes to another shade. You can achieve this by mixing red, yellow and blue equally on a palette, but also by mixing complementary colors such as blue and orange, red and green, or yellow and purple. Even by combining blue and brown, you can get a very intense black.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Mixing the Primary Colors
Step 1. Get red, blue and yellow paint
Black is the darkest color, but you can achieve various shades by mixing different colors. The red, blue and yellow tones you choose will determine the final effect. You can use oil paints, watercolors or acrylics.
- By using cobalt yellow, lacquer and cobalt blue, you will get a very soft shade, while mixing a vibrant yellow, alizarin crimson and phthalo blue will give you a deep black.
- If you have a basic color palette, any kind of red, blue, and yellow will do. Magenta and cyan are the most commonly used shades of red and blue.
Step 2. Put the colors on a palette in separate patches
It is preferable to place them side by side before mixing them. Pour each walnut of tempera about 1.5 cm apart. If you want a classic black, use each color equally.
- To get a slightly different hue, use more of one or two colors.
- If you use a brush to put paint on the palette, change it for each color so it doesn't mix with the others. This should only be done on the palette.
- Since you probably won't be able to get the same black every time, make sure you do enough to get your job done.
Step 3. Mix the paint
Use a brush to mix the colors. Some mix better if you use a palette knife or metal spatula. Distribute them for about fifteen seconds to obtain a uniform shade without streaks of various colors.
If you are using a brush to mix the paint, turn it gently without pressing too hard. You could ruin it if you push it too hard on the palette
Step 4. Correct the black gradation
The shade you intend to achieve will depend on the use you need to make of it. You could add a hint of white to lighten it slightly, or add a drop of blue to create a black that you will need to paint the sky at night.
- If you have the time and paint, experiment. Add a little brown or green to the black to paint a pine night landscape, or a little yellow to create the reflection of the sun on a black metal object.
- If you mix the paint with your hands, you will not get a pure black, but it will certainly be much more personalized.
Part 2 of 3: Mixing Complementary Colors
Step 1. Combine the red and green
By mixing the shades that are opposite each other in the color wheel, you will cancel the chromatic properties of each of them and get a dark shade. You can choose any red or green, depending on which black you want. Phthalo green and naphthol red are great for creating a basic black.
Step 2. Merge the blue and orange
Put one nut of blue (for example, cobalt blue) and one of orange (such as translucent orange) on the palette. Blend them gently until you get a vibrant black. If mixed in equal parts they don't create a very deep black, add a little more blue.
Step 3. Combine the yellow and purple
Create a blend of approximately 60% purple and 40% yellow and adjust the amounts to get the black you want. Cadmium yellow is a widely used pigment that is always good. Try mixing it with a violet.
Part 3 of 3: Mixing Blue and Brown
Step 1. Start with ultramarine blue
Place a small walnut of ultramarine on the palette or other surface used for your project. Blue should make up roughly half of the final color, so use the amount you need for the subject you want to paint.
Step 2. Place a smaller walnut of burnt umber next to the blue
Do not pour the two colors in the same place. Instead, place them about 1cm apart. Then mix them gently in circular motions. Adjust the quantities to get the black you want.
Step 3. Add a pinch of Prussian blue
If you want to make the black you get more intense, add a drop of Prussian blue. This blend is excellent for painting the deep black of the darkness of the night.
wikiHow Video: How to Make Black
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