When it comes to mixing paint colors, green and red make brown. This is because green and red are complementary colors on the color wheel. When complementary colors are mixed together, they neutralize each other and create a muddy, brownish color. However, the exact resulting shade of brown depends on the specific shades of green and red used.
The Basics of Mixing Paint Colors
Mixing paint colors is based on color theory and the color wheel. The color wheel shows the relationship between colors. There are primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors.
The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These are called primary colors because all other colors can be created by mixing these three colors together in different combinations and ratios.
When you mix two primary colors together, you get a secondary color. For example:
- Red + Yellow = Orange
- Yellow + Blue = Green
- Blue + Red = Purple
When you mix a primary color with a secondary color, you get a tertiary color. For example:
- Red + Orange = Red-Orange
- Yellow + Green = Yellow-Green
- Blue + Purple = Blue-Purple
On the color wheel, complementary colors are located directly across from each other. Common complementary color pairs include:
- Red & Green
- Yellow & Purple
- Blue & Orange
When complementary colors are mixed together, they cancel each other out and create a neutral, muddy color. This neutral color is usually some shade of brown, gray, or black.
Mixing Green and Red Paint
Green and red are complementary colors on the color wheel. This means when green and red paint are mixed together, they neutralize each other and make a brown color.
However, the specific resulting shade of brown depends on the exact shades of green and red used. For example:
- Mixing a lemon yellow green + crimson red will make a reddish, orangey brown.
- Mixing a forest green + fire engine red will make a very dark, neutral brown that’s closer to black.
- Mixing a light mint green + cherry red will create a soft tan brown.
This is because not all greens and reds are the same. There are warm and cool shades within each color family. Mixing a warm shade of one color with a cool shade of its complementary will always result in a more neutral, muddy brown.
Color Wheel Basics
To understand how complementary colors like green and red mix, it helps to look at a color wheel:
| Primary Colors | Red | Yellow | Blue |
| Secondary Colors | Orange | Green | Purple |
| Tertiary Colors | Red-Orange | Yellow-Green | Blue-Purple |
| Complementary Color Pairs | Red & Green | Yellow & Purple | Blue & Orange |
As you can see, green and red are located opposite each other on the color wheel. This means they are direct complementary colors.
Mixing direct complements results in the most neutral brown. But you can also get brown by mixing near-complementary colors that are located close together on the color wheel, such as red-orange and blue-green.
The Science Behind Complementary Colors
The science behind complementary colors mixing to make brown has to do with the way our eyes perceive color.
There are special cells in our eyes called cone cells that detect color. There are three types of cone cells:
- Red cones that detect long red wavelengths of light
- Green cones that detect medium green wavelengths
- Blue cones that detect short blue wavelengths
The way the brain interprets color is by comparing the relative stimulation of the red, green, and blue cone cells. Complementary colors stimulate these cone cells in opposite ways.
For example, red light stimulates the red cones strongly but the green cones weakly. Green light stimulates the green cones strongly but the red cones weakly. When red and green light enter the eye together, the red and green cones are stimulated evenly and no color dominates. The brain interprets this as a neutral brown or gray.
The same principle applies when mixing red and green pigments. The pigments absorb and reflect different wavelengths, causing complementary stimulation of the cone cells and a neutral brown color perception.
Tips for Mixing Brown
Here are some tips for mixing different shades of brown by combining green and red paint:
- Mix a lemon or lime green with a crimson red for a bright, warm tan or ochre brown.
- Mix a forest or emerald green with a fire engine or crimson red for a very deep, almost blackish shade of brown.
- Mix a mint or seafoam green with a cherry or pinkish red for a soft beige-brown.
- Add more red to make a reddish or rusty brown; add more green for an olive or mossy green-brown.
- Use white or black paint to lighten or darken the brown to your desired shade.
Always start with a small amount of paint and add more as needed. It’s easier to lighten or darken the brown than to dilute it if you overmix the green and red.
Test your mixed brown color on a paint palette before applying it directly to your project. This allows you to adjust the color before committing it to canvas or paper.
Brown Color Psychology and Symbolism
In color psychology and symbolism, brown often represents:
- Earthiness
- Reliability
- Supportiveness
- Simplicity
- Neutrality
Since brown is made by mixing complementary colors, it represents balance and neutrality. It is the color of earth and provides a solid, reliable foundation. Brown is supportive and simple in a comforting, nurturing way.
In design, brown can create a warm, natural look. It works well for background colors. Light tans provide a subtle base that lets brighter colors pop. Dark browns have classic, timeless appeal.
In marketing, brown can promote an eco-friendly, earthy brand image. It is often used for natural, organic products. Brown conveys stability and durability for big ticket items like furniture, vehicles, and homes.
Famous Works Featuring Browns
Many great paintings feature shades of brown prominently:
- The Scream by Edvard Munch – The bridge and railing are brown.
- Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci – She wears a simple brown dress.
- The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt – A dark brown mast is the focal point.
- The Night Watch by Rembrandt – Brown is used for shadows and details.
- The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali – The desert landscape is brown.
Browns help provide an earthy, grounded feel in these paintings. They represent simplicity, subtlety, and solemnity in many classic works of art.
Everyday Uses for Mixed Browns
Browns created by mixing green and red paint or pigments are useful for:
- Painting natural elements like earth, rocks, trees, animals
- Making realistic portraits with skin tones and shadows
- Providing neutral backgrounds behind brighter colors
- Crafting projects where an earthy color is desired
- Dyeing fabrics and clothing in subdued, vintage shades
- Staining wood crafts and furniture
Mixed browns work any time you want to represent something organic and natural. They add cozy warmth to any space or project.
Conclusion
When green and red paint are combined, they make a brown color. This is because green and red are complementary colors that neutralize each other. However, the specific resulting shade of brown depends on the exact hues and shades of green and red used.
Mixing paints, understanding color theory, and leveraging the psychological effects of different colors allows artists to strategically craft the perfect shades for their work. Brown may be an overlooked color, but subtle browns mixed from green and red paint play an integral role in many great works of art.
