Colour Mixing Basics: Understanding Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Colours

Colour mixing is one of the most important skills an artist can develop, and it all starts with understanding the basics: primary, secondary, and tertiary colours. By mastering these fundamental concepts, you’ll gain greater control over your palette, allowing you to mix vibrant, harmonious colours in your acrylic paintings. Let’s dive into the basics of colour theory and how you can apply it to your artwork.

1. Primary Colours

The primary colours are red, blue, and yellow. These three colours cannot be mixed from any other colours, and they serve as the foundation for all other colours. When mixed together in different combinations, they create a full spectrum of secondary and tertiary colours.

Try this: Start by familiarising yourself with your primary colours and experiment with mixing different ratios of two primary colours to see what new hues you can create.

2. Secondary Colours

Secondary colours are created by mixing two primary colours. The secondary colours are:

• Orange: Created by mixing red and yellow.

• Green: Created by mixing blue and yellow.

• Purple: Created by mixing red and blue.

Try this: Mix your own secondary colours rather than relying on pre-mixed tubes of paint. This will give you more control over the exact hue and vibrancy of the colours.

3. Tertiary Colours

Tertiary colours are created by mixing a primary colour with a secondary colour. The tertiary colours are more complex and include hues like red-orange, yellow-green, and blue-violet.

Try this: Use tertiary colours to add subtle variations to your palette. They can add richness and depth to your painting by creating more nuanced tones.

4. Keep Colour Temperature in Mind

As you experiment with mixing colours, remember that every colour has a temperature—warm or cool. Warm colours, like red and yellow, can bring areas forward, while cool colours, like blue and green, help areas recede. Understanding colour temperature is essential when mixing to achieve the right mood and depth in your paintings.

Try this: When mixing secondary and tertiary colours, consider whether you want them to be warm or cool. For example, a warm green can be made by mixing a yellow with a warmer base.

5. Use Subdued Tones for Balance

It’s easy to get caught up in creating vibrant, bright colours, but subdued tones are just as important for balance. When mixing your colours, don’t be afraid to experiment with desaturated hues for quieter areas of your painting. These tones can help balance the boldness of your colours and provide areas where the viewer’s eye can rest.

Try this: Mix a small amount of the complementary colour into your primary hue to create a subdued version. This technique allows you to neutralise the colour without losing its richness.

Final Thoughts

By understanding and practising primary, secondary, and tertiary colour mixing, you’ll gain more control over your acrylic palette and be able to create harmonious, vibrant, and expressive paintings. Keep experimenting with different combinations and remember that colour mixing is both a science and an art—so have fun with it!

Before you go, dream it, paint it!