Making brownish yellow paint is a simple process that involves mixing primary paint colors together. The specific ratio of paint colors needed will determine the exact brownish yellow shade. With some basic color theory knowledge, acrylic or oil paints, and a palette for mixing, you can easily create the perfect warm, golden brownish yellow paint for your project.
Determine the Yellow and Brown Paint Colors
The first step in making a brownish yellow paint is choosing which yellow and brown paints to use. For the yellow, a warm or reddish-yellow hue like cadmium yellow or yellow ochre works best. Cool yellows like lemon yellow will make the paint look dull or olive-toned. For the brown, an earthy brown like burnt umber or raw sienna are good choices. Dark browns like burnt sienna can also work well.
Here are some yellow and brown paint combinations that make appealing brownish yellows:
| Cadmium Yellow + Burnt Umber |
| Yellow Ochre + Raw Sienna |
| Cadmium Yellow + Burnt Sienna |
Avoid combining a warm yellow with a cool brown, as this will create an odd, lifeless color. Stick with warm versions of both pigments.
Determine the Ratio of Yellow to Brown
Once you’ve selected your yellow and brown paints, it’s time to determine the mixing ratio. The more yellow you add compared to brown, the brighter and more golden the paint will appear. Use more brown for a deeper, more muted brownish yellow.
To achieve a bright golden brownish yellow, use a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio of yellow to brown. For a dark mustard or brownish khaki color, use closer to a 1:1 ratio. You can adjust the ratio as needed to get your perfect brownish yellow hue.
It helps to start off mixing a very small amount, like a 1:1 ratio. Then gradually add more yellow and observe how the color changes. The more yellow you add, the more vibrant and golden the paint will look.
Mix the Yellow and Brown Paint
Once you’ve chosen your paints and ratio, it’s time to mix. Squeeze out the two colors onto your palette, using a painting knife to scoop up a small amount of each color.
Mix the paint starting with the brown, then gradually incorporating the yellow. Use a circular lifting and stirring motion to thoroughly blend the two colors. Scrape the edges of the paint pool as you mix to ensure it is uniform.
Continue mixing until the paint achieves your desired brownish yellow color. The more you mix and blend, the more even the color will become.
Test and Adjust the Color
After initially mixing the paint, test it out by painting a swatch on a canvas or scrap paper. Allow it to dry completely to see the true color.
If the color is too brown, remix by adding more yellow paint. If it’s too golden yellow, add more brown. Continue gradually adjusting the ratio and remixing until you achieve your perfect brownish yellow.
It often takes some trial and error to get the exact brownish yellow shade you envisioned. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ratios.
Achieve Variations of Brownish Yellow
Once you understand the basic mixing ratio of yellow and brown to make brownish yellow, you can begin creating beautiful variations by adding additional colors:
| Add White: Lightens the brownish yellow into a golden beige. |
| Add Red: Warms up the brownish yellow with a reddish-orange tone. |
| Add Green: Dulls down the brownish yellow into an olive-greenish shade. |
Adding white makes the color tint lighter, while still retaining the brownish yellow tone. Red oxide, cadmium red, or alizarin crimson add vibrancy, transforming the paint into more of a reddish-brown. Phthalo or viridian green add an interesting olive undertone to the brownish yellow.
Experiment by adding a small amount of any of these colors to your mixed brownish yellow to create beautiful, rich variations. Mix gradually and test as you go to achieve the exact nuanced shade you want.
Make Brownish Yellow Watercolor Paint
You can also mix brownish yellow watercolor paint using the same color theory techniques. Choose warm yellow and brown watercolor pigments and use a mixing ratio of approximately 3:1 yellow to brown.
Good yellow pigments for watercolor brownish yellow include cadmium yellow, New Gamboge, and French ochre. For the brown, try Burnt Sienna, Sepia, or Raw Umber. Mix on a wet palette until you achieve the desired shade.
Brownish yellow watercolor mixes can be used for painting sunsets, fall landscapes, flowers, still life subjects, and other warm subjects. The colors mix beautifully on the paper when wet.
Tips for Using Brownish Yellow Paint
Here are some tips for successfully working with brownish yellow paint:
- Stick to warm yellow and brown pigments – cool versions will make dull, muddy colors.
- Mix a very small amount and test the color before mixing a large batch.
- Be patient and do several remixes and tests to achieve the perfect shade.
- To lighten brownish yellow, add titanium white rather than mixing with water.
- Glaze over brownish yellow to deepen and enrich the color.
With acrylics, avoid over-thinning with water which can break down the binder. With oil paints, use a painting medium like linseed oil to thin and extend the paint.
Brownish yellow paint mixes are beautiful for painting autumn foliage, flowers, sunsets, wheat fields, and other golden subjects. With some basic color theory and the right paints, you can easily mix the perfect warm, rich brownish yellow for your artistic needs.
Conclusion
Creating your own brownish yellow paint allows you to achieve the exact shade and intensity you want. Follow basic color theory by selecting warm yellow and brown pigments, determine the right mixing ratio, and blend until you reach the desired hue. Test the mixed color and make adjustments as needed by remixing and adding more yellow or brown. With acrylics or oils, you can also create rich variations by adding white, red, or green to the brownish yellow mix. Use thick paint for impasto techniques or thin with water or medium for glazing effects. Brownish yellow is a versatile, beautiful paint color for all kinds of warm, glowing subjects.
