When it comes to mixing paint, most people want to know if you can mix other colors together to make white paint. The short answer is yes, you can mix colors to create white paint. However, the specific combinations of paint colors required to make white paint depend on the type of paint you are working with. In this article, we will look at how to mix different kinds of paint – acrylic, oil, and latex/emulsion – to create white.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a fast-drying water-based type of paint that is commonly used by artists. Acrylic paints come in a wide range of colors, but no single tube of acrylic paint is pure white. So to get white acrylic paint, you need to mix colors together. Here are some combinations you can use to mix acrylic paint to create white:
– Yellow + Blue = White
– Magenta + Cyan (Aqua) = White
– Yellow + Magenta + Cyan = White
– Titanium White + Zinc White = Bright White
The easiest way is to mix equal parts of yellow and blue paint. Combining the primary colors yellow and blue makes green. Add more yellow and blue to the green and you will eventually get white. For the brightest white, use cadmium or lemon yellow along with ultramarine or phthalo blue.
You can also mix magenta and cyan (aqua) acrylic paints to make white. Magenta and cyan are the secondary colors on the RYB color wheel. Add more magenta and cyan until the paint mixture turns white.
Another option is to mix together the three primary colors yellow, magenta and cyan. Start with equal parts of each color and add more until white is achieved. This takes a bit more paint but also works.
For the brightest, most titanium-like white, you can mix titanium white acrylic paint with zinc white. Use a ratio of approximately 3:1 titanium white to zinc white. The zinc white gives the titanium white a bit more brightness and opacity.
Oil Paint
Oil paint is a slow drying paint made by mixing pigments with linseed oil or other oils. Like with acrylics, mixing colors is necessary to make white oil paint. Here are some combinations that work:
– Titanium White + Zinc White
– Cadmium Yellow or Lemon Yellow + French Ultramarine Blue
– Cadmium Red or Vermillion + Phthalo Blue or Cerulean Blue
– Yellow Ochre + Flake White or Lead White
The most common approach is to mix titanium white with zinc white. Use approximately 3 parts titanium white to 1 part zinc white for a brighter, more opaque white.
You can also mix cadmium yellow or lemon yellow oil paint with an opaque blue like French ultramarine. The combination of a warm yellow and cool blue makes a nice bright white.
Mixing a warm red like cadmium red or vermillion with a cooler blue like phthalo blue or cerulean blue also produces white. Adjust the ratio until you achieve a pure white.
For a more natural oil paint white, combine yellow ochre with flake white or lead white. Lead white has excellent hiding power but contains toxic lead. Flake white is safer but not as opaque. Mix around 3 parts yellow ochre to 1 part white.
Latex/Emulsion Paint
Latex or emulsion paint has a water-based acrylic polymer binder. It is commonly used as indoor or outdoor house paint. Making white latex paint is easiest done by mixing pure white latex paint with latex tint. Here are some combinations:
– Titanium White Latex + White Latex Tint
– Bright White Latex + Pure White Latex Tint
– Extra White Latex + White Latex Colorant
Start with pure white or bright white latex wall paint. Then add in some white tint, colorant or pigment. This strengthens the white color and makes it brighter and more opaque. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the white tint.
You can also add a very small amount of yellow, red or blue colorant to white latex paint. This neutralizes undertones and makes the white more pure. But only use a tiny bit – too much will make the paint look off-white.
For the best results making white latex paint, get the purest white paint you can and reinforce it with white liquid tint. This gives you maximum coverage and hiding power.
How to Mix Paint Colors to Make White
Here is a quick summary of how to mix different paint types to create white:
| Paint Type | Color Combinations |
|---|---|
| Acrylic | Yellow + Blue |
| Acrylic | Magenta + Cyan |
| Acrylic | Yellow + Magenta + Cyan |
| Oil | Titanium White + Zinc White |
| Oil | Cadmium Yellow + French Ultramarine Blue |
| Oil | Cadmium Red + Phthalo Blue |
| Latex | Titanium White + White Colorant |
| Latex | Bright White + Pure White Tint |
As you can see, different paint types require different mixing strategies to create white. Oil and acrylic paints can be mixed from other colors, while latex paint is best mixed with white pigment.
Pro Tips for Mixing White Paint
Here are some expert tips to help you succeed when mixing paint colors to create white:
– Use opaque, dense pigments – Transparent colors let underlying colors show through so pick opaque pigments.
– Add white pigment or paint – White pigments like titanium white, zinc white, and flake white help brighten mixtures.
– Neutralize undertones – Add a tiny bit of the opposite color to neutralize yellow, red or blue undertones.
– Mix slowly and test – Add colors gradually and test the mixture to ensure you don’t overshoot white.
– Disperse evenly – Stir or mix thoroughly so all pigment particles are evenly distributed.
– Check consistency – Make sure the paint consistency doesn’t become too thin when mixing.
– Mix more than needed – Start with more paint than you need in case you make mistakes.
– Use quality paints – Artist grade paints have more pigment for truer colors.
Following these tips will help you successfully mix custom white paint. Test out mixes in small batches first to get a feel for the process. Once you know how colors interact, you can scale up and mix larger quantities of custom white paint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about mixing paint colors to create white:
What two colors make white paint?
The most common color combination to make white is mixing yellow and blue paint. This combines colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. Other options are magenta and cyan, or red and blue.
Can you make white with primary colors?
Yes, combining the three primary colors yellow, magenta, and cyan will eventually form white if you use enough paint. This is because the primary colors together create the full spectrum of visible light.
Is white a primary color when mixing paint?
No, white is not considered a primary color for mixing paints. The primary colors are red, blue, and yellow for painting. White contains all colors and is made by mixing primaries.
What oil paints make white?
Common combinations to make white oil paint include titanium white + zinc white, cadmium yellow + French ultramarine blue, and cadmium red + phthalo blue. Opaque whites like zinc white help brighten mixtures.
What two colors of latex paint make white?
You can reinforce bright white or pure white latex paint by adding white liquid tint. This gives maximum hiding power. Avoid mixing latex paint colors to create white as it will appear dull or off-white.
Conclusion
In summary, it is possible to mix colors and create white paint for acrylics, oils, and latex paint. Different paint types require different strategies. Acrylics and oils can mix primaries or opposites, while latex paint needs white pigment added. Follow the tips outlined and test mixes to find your perfect custom white for any painting project.
