This is the second instalment in our new Colour Mixing 101 series! After our turquoise mixing tutorial, we’re moving on to the earthy, warm tones of burnt orange — also known as a type of orange-brown. This shade is perfect for autumnal landscapes, rustic scenes, or whenever you need a pop of warmth and depth in your paintings.
In this video, Stephen demonstrates the simple yet fascinating process of mixing the perfect burnt orange. This could also be classified as a type of brown! You can easily use this technique to mix ANYTHING!
1. Start with Primary Colours
To mix burnt orange, you’ll primarily use red and yellow as your base colours. In the video, Stephen recommends starting with a strong, vibrant cadmium red and cadmium yellow. These two together will give you a bright orange, which is the foundation of burnt orange.
2. Add a touch of blue
The secret to deepening your orange to a burnt, earthy hue lies in adding a tiny bit of blue. Adding blue neutralises the intensity of the orange, giving it that brownish, burnt undertone. Be cautious here ⚠️ too much blue will overpower the mix and turn it muddy.
3. Adjust with White (optional)
If you’re looking for a lighter burnt orange or a more subtle brownish tint, Stephen demonstrates how adding a bit of Titanium White can help tone down the intensity. This step is optional, depending on the shade you’re going for.
4. Test and Refine
As always, test your mix on paper or canvas to see how it dries. If you need it to be more vibrant, add more red and yellow. If you want it deeper, a touch more blue or even a bit of burnt sienna can help achieve the perfect balance.
We encourage all students to try this process out for themselves! You’ll gain confidence and clarity with every mix, especially when learning how to achieve specific hues like burnt orange. Plus, it’s a fun exercise in colour theory that will improve your overall painting skills.
Watch the full video to see the exact steps and stay tuned for more exciting tutorials in our Colour Mixing 101 series! Next up, Stephen will show you how to tackle mixing green toned grey.