Mixing green can be one of the trickiest things for artists to get just right. Whether you’re using acrylics, oils, watercolours, or even pastels, getting that perfect shade of green can be very tricky. The problem? It’s not just the green you’re using, but the neighbouring colours that come into play.
In this tutorial, Jess dives deep into mixing greens accurately using a simple yet powerful tool: the colour wheel. If your greens are turning out too bright or unrealistic, there’s a good reason for that, and this trick will help you understand why!
What Makes Mixing Green So Tricky?
Did you know that primary colours aren’t as “pure” as we might think? Take lemon yellow, for example. It’s not just yellow—it actually has a bit of green in it already! This subtle shift makes a huge difference when you mix colours.
By using the colour wheel, we can see how neighbouring colours influence each other. Those “noisy” neighbours—like the slight green undertones in yellow—impact how our greens turn out when mixing with blue.
The Colour Wheel Trick
In this video, Jess shows you how to adjust your greens depending on whether you want a cooler or warmer shade. You can also use this technique with acrylics and oils. With a bit of practice and this handy trick, you’ll be mixing greens like a pro in no time!
Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning! We’ll be diving further into colour theory and mixing in upcoming blog posts, but for now, grab your paints and give this colour wheel trick a try.