To create a darker shade of blue, simply mix the blue you already have with another color. By learning to combine pigments, you will have a wider choice of colors for your creations. To get a deeper blue, try mixing it with various colors that allow you to more accurately control the hue you want to achieve.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Add Black to Blue
Step 1. Pour the amount of blue needed for your project onto the palette
Make sure you have enough color to complete the picture with the hue you are going to get. Once you have found the right shade, it will be difficult to achieve it a second time, so you may want to have more paint than you need rather than run out of it before you have finished your work.
- If you don't finish the project in a day, you can store the leftover paint in an airtight container, such as food-grade plastic.
- Consider moistening a paper towel or sponge and placing it in the bottom of the container or using a damp palette to prevent the color from drying out.
Step 2. Put a walnut of black next to the blue on the palette
Do not overlap it on the blue. By placing it next to it, you can correct the hue a little at a time and better control the result you intend to obtain.
Step 3. Dip the brush into the black patch, bringing a small amount onto the blue one
Don't take too much the first time. Black is a very intense color, so with a pinch you will get a great effect.
Step 4. Mix black and blue a little at a time
Mix the two pigments using a special tool or making cross-hatching with the brush. Do not load too much black, otherwise the final color may be less vivid. Then, combine them just enough for you to evaluate the hue you are getting.
Step 5. Add more black and, if necessary, blend until you reach the desired shade of blue
You will likely have to repeat this several times, but keep going gradually to avoid the risk of getting a darker shade than you need.
If you accidentally add too much black, correct the mistake by putting some blue
Method 2 of 3: Combining Complementary Colors
Step 1. Print a chart of the color wheel
This scheme shows the primary colors of red, yellow and blue, but also all those that can be created by combining the primaries with each other. Surely you will find more basic color wheels, which use only the primary and primary secondary colors. Consider using a more complete one that includes various tints, shades and shades.
Step 2. Find the exact hue to start from on the color wheel
To find the complementary color, you need to know the exact location of blue on the color wheel. Instead of being guided by the name, pour some blue on a sheet of white paper and let it dry. Compare it to the shades on the printed chart to see which one comes closest.
Step 3. Find the shade of orange that is complementary to the shade of blue you intend to start with
The complementary term refers to the color that is on the opposite side of the one chosen within the color wheel. In your case, it should be an orange which, when mixed, will allow you to darken the blue.
- For example, you might start mixing burnt sienna with ultramarine blue.
- Alternatively, try combining cadmium orange with cobalt blue.
Step 4. Place enough blue on the palette to complete your project
In these cases, it is better to be abundant than to be scarce to avoid repeating the operation in an attempt to obtain the same shade a second time.
You may want to keep some blue in case you need to correct the mixture as you have used too much orange
Step 5. Add a dab of orange next to the blue
It is best to place it next to it and mix a little at a time, because the amount you need is less than that of blue.
Step 6. Dip the brush or palette knife on the edge of the orange patch and then dip it into the blue one
Avoid taking too much the first time. By adding it gradually, you will have the opportunity to study the transformation.
Step 7. Blend orange into blue
Mix the two pigments using a special tool, such as a palette knife or a brush to make cross-hatching. The advantage of complementary colors is that they allow you to obtain a dark blue with a very vibrant shade, so you shouldn't mix them too much, except in the quantities that allow you to evaluate the shade that is gradually being created, avoiding lightening it.
Step 8. Add the orange a little at a time until you reach the shade of blue you want
Do not overdo it. If the orange overcomes the blue, the final effect will move away from the dark shade you want to achieve and turn into another shade of orange. Continue to aggregate it in small amounts and evaluate the effect until you have the ideal shade of dark blue.
If you accidentally add too much orange, correct the mistake by putting some blue
Method 3 of 3: Mixing Analogous Colors to Create a Color Combination
Step 1. Pour a dab of blue and a dab of purple onto the palette
Purple is an analogous and close color to blue in the color wheel. Make sure you have enough paint to finish your work. You will need to use more blue as a base color than purple.
Step 2. Mix some purple with blue
To mix them, you can use the brush or a palette knife. Add a pinch of purple at a time to keep the gradation in check and create a violin blue.
Step 3. Test the color you got
Many colors, including acrylics, darken as they dry. Acrylics dry quickly, so you can do a quick check by brushing a few strokes on a canvas and letting it dry. You won't have to wait more than 15 minutes to see the final effect and decide if it's the right shade for your work.
If you are not satisfied with the color once it dries, pick up the palette and correct the amounts of blue and purple
Advice
- Clean the palette well after mixing and using the colors.
- Don't forget to work in a well-lit place so you can see the color you are creating.
Warnings
- If you are a beginner, you may have some difficulty getting the same color again, so be sure to mix the pigments in sufficient or larger quantities than you need. As you gain practice and experience, it will be easier to reproduce a color you have already created.
- When mixing and painting, always work in a well-ventilated area.
