Our Colour Mixing 101 series continues with another step by step tutorial for artists of all levels!
This week, Stephen dives into the art of mixing this shade of green-toned grey. While grey may seem straightforward, there’s a lot more to it than just blending black and white! By understanding undertones and working with complementary colours, you can achieve rich greys that add depth to your artwork.
1. Start with Green
For this particular shade of grey, Stephen begins with green as the base colour. Adding green as a starting point creates a grey that feels more lively and complex than a simple black-and-white mix.
2. Add Complementary Colours
To achieve a balanced grey, Stephen explains how to combine green with its complementary colours — typically reds or warmer tones. This blending neutralises the intensity of the green, creating a beautiful, mid-tone grey with a hint of green.
3. Adjust the Tone
Like all colours, grey can be warm or cool. For this mix, Stephen demonstrates how to subtly alter the tone, creating a cooler or warmer grey based on your artwork’s needs. When colour mixing ask yourself, Does this grey have a warm or cool undertone? The answer will guide your choice of colours to tweak the mix.
4. Refine and Test
As always, test your mix on a scrap of paper or canvas to see how it dries. Adjust as needed by adding more green, red, or even a touch of blue to achieve your desired shade.
Understanding Grey in Colour Theory
Mixing your own grey gives you control over the exact undertone, allowing you to create greys that complement specific elements in your painting. Learning to see the subtle nuances in grey — whether warm or cool — can elevate your artwork, making your colours more cohesive and harmonious.
Stephen’s insights on undertones and complementary colours will help you approach colour mixing with confidence, making grey one of your new favourite hues to mix!
Stay tuned for the next video in our Colour Mixing 101 series as we continue exploring the fascinating world of colour.
3. Adjust the tone
Like all colours, grey can be warm or cool. For this mix, Stephen demonstrates how to subtly alter the tone, creating a cooler or warmer grey based on your artwork’s needs. Does this grey have a warm or cool undertone? The answer will guide your choice of colours to tweak the mix.
4. Test and Refine
As always, test your mix on a scrap of paper or canvas to see how it dries. Adjust as needed by adding more green, red, or even a touch of blue to achieve your desired shade.
Understanding Grey in Colour Theory
Mixing your own grey gives you control over the exact undertone, allowing you to create greys that complement specific elements in your painting. Learning to see the subtle nuances in grey — whether warm or cool — can elevate your artwork, making your colours more cohesive and harmonious.
Stephen’s insights on undertones and complementary colours will help you approach colour mixing with confidence, making grey one of your new favourite hues to mix!
Stay tuned for the next video in our Colour Mixing 101 series as we continue exploring the fascinating world of colour.