Making an earthy green color can be done in a few different ways depending on the medium you are working with. For painting, mixing complementary colors like yellow ochre and viridian green will produce a nice earthy green. When working with fabric dyes, combining shades like olive green, khaki, and moss green can create an earthy green hue. For digital design, look for earthy green color codes that have hints of brown, gray, and olive built in. The key is balancing rich, deep greens with neutrals like tans, browns, beiges, and grays.
Using Paint to Make Earthy Green
If you want to make an earthy green color using paint, start by squeezing out some viridian or phthalo green which provide a rich, primary green. Then add in yellow ochre, raw sienna, or raw umber. These earthy yellow and brown paints will cut the brightness of the green and make it feel more natural, subtle, and complex.
You can play around with different ratios, adding more brown until you achieve the muted, earthy green tone you want. Make sure to mix thoroughly so that the paints combine into a unified color. Testing your custom mixed paint on a spare canvas or piece of paper will allow you to tweak the balance of green and brown until you are happy with the end result.
Some specific earthy green paint combinations to try are:
| Viridian + Yellow Ochre |
| Phthalo Green + Raw Sienna |
| Emerald Green + Burnt Umber |
When applying your earthy green paint, you may want to use quick brushstrokes or a stippling technique to retain some texture. This prevents the paint from looking flat and keeps an organic, natural feel.
Dyeing Fabric in Earthy Green Hues
To dye fabric an earthy green shade, you will need to blend together a couple of different dye colors. Great options for dyes are olive green, moss green, khaki, sage green, and undyed natural muslin or linen which will add beige and brown tones.
Make sure your fabric is prepped for dyeing by scouring and mordanting it. To create the earthy green dye bath, follow a process like this:
| 2 parts olive or moss green dye |
| 1 part khaki or tan dye |
| 1 part undyed natural fabric |
Simmer the fabric in the dye bath for at least 1 hour, allowing the colors to fully saturate the material. You can reuse the dye bath to produce multiple batches of earthy green fabric.
When the fabric is removed from the dye bath, it will first appear much darker when wet. Once it dries, the true earthy green tone will emerge. Feel free to over-dye the fabric if the color is too light or if you want to adjust the hue.
Finding Earthy Green Color Codes
If you are working on digital design or need an earthy green color code for a project, there are many options to choose from. Look for greens that have a relatively low saturation level and include hints of brown, tan, gray, and olive.
Some earthy green color codes to try are:
| R: 120 G: 90 B: 79 |
| R: 135 G: 169 B: 107 |
| R: 143 G: 188 B: 143 |
| R: 166 G: 186 B: 104 |
Sites like ColorHexa.com provide handy tools for generating variations on earthy green colors. You can quickly adjust the tone and darkness to hone in on the perfect subtle, natural green.
Always test your selected color code by applying it to shapes, images, or text to make sure it reads as an organic, grounded green. The numbers may not always translate accurately.
Using Natural Objects to Make Earthy Greens
In some cases, the easiest way to make an earthy green color is to let nature do the work for you. You can grind up or extract pigment from green plants, vegetables, and minerals to produce organic green tones.
Some options include:
| Crushed malachite |
| Liquid chlorophyll extracted from spinach |
| Grated green apple skin |
| Boiled green tea leaves |
| Chopped parsley |
Experiment by smashing, grinding, boiling, or blending the natural ingredients to release their vibrant earthy green pigment. Strain out any solids and you are left with a gorgeously textured colored liquid. Use it immediately for best results.
The natural dyes and stains you create can work as watercolor paints, fabric dyes, food coloring, and more. Allow them to dry to see the true earthy green tones emerge.
Buying Earthy Green Craft Supplies
Instead of mixing your own, you can also shop for ready-made earthy green craft supplies. Look for these products:
| Soft pastel greens |
| Hemp cordage and string |
| Green raffia or jute |
| Green felt |
| Green scrapbook paper |
Choose materials with muted undertones as opposed to bright kelly greens. Bring in some neutrals like natural burlap, manila rope, or ecru lace to complement the green. Layering craft supplies in analogous earth tones keeps the look and feel grounded.
Visit art supply stores, craft shops, gardening centers, and hardware stores to find pre-made shades of earthy green for your projects. Scour the yarn, floral, fabric, paint, and home decor sections for inspiration.
Incorporating Earthy Green Accents
When decorating with earthy green colors, use them strategically as accents against lighter neutrals. Some ways to do this include:
| – Hanging green and white geometric print curtains |
| – Arranging eucalyptus sprigs and olive branches in a vase |
| – Laying down a jute area rug with green details |
| – Placing sage green ceramic vases on natural wood shelves |
| – Setting a round kitchen table with green linen tablecloth |
Up against white walls, natural wood, black metals, or unfinished terracotta, pops of earthy green look right at home. Use green in moderation to punctuate the calming neutrals. The balance of rich greens and airy tans or grays creates a welcoming, peaceful atmosphere.
You can make earthy green work in any room when styled thoughtfully. A little goes a long way in making a space feel quietly sophisticated.
Choosing Paint Colors with Earthy Greens
If you want to paint a room in earthy green tones, it is best to use it on just one or two walls for an accent. Green can feel overwhelming on all four walls, especially in a darker forest green. Here are appealing ways to incorporate earth green paint colors:
| – Sage green kitchen island |
| – Olive green accent wall in a dining room |
| – Mossy green headboard wall in a bedroom |
| – Earthy green bathroom vanity |
Pair green paint with cream, gray, brown, tan, and white paint on surrounding walls. You can also paint wood trim and cabinetry in earth green tones for subtle pops of color. Whether you opt for a dark hunter green or muted avocado shade, choose paint with yellow, brown, or gray undertones. Straight vibrant greens risk looking artificially bright.
Visit paint stores to test out samples of earthy greens. Be sure to view color swatches in both natural and artificial light to gauge the true tone.
Wearing Earth Tone Green Fashion
Incorporating earthy green colors into your wardrobe is an effortless way to add organic vibes to your style. Look for these types of earth green clothing items and accessories:
| – Olive green utility jacket |
| – Oversize moss green sweater |
| – Khaki green relaxed pants or jeans |
| – Heather green t-shirt |
| – Forest green beanie |
Layer earth tones together for a cohesive palette. Pair greens with creams, tans, greys, and denim blue. Use green accessories like scarves, jewelry, bags, and shoes to complement neutrals. Seek out natural fabrics like linen, cotton, and hemp which enhance the earthy look.
Both men and women can seamlessly work earth green hues into a casual wardrobe. If you tend to wear a lot of black, brown, white, or gray, a pop of green is so refreshing. Avoid going overboard by only choosing one or two green pieces per outfit.
Conclusion
Creating an earthy green color is all about balance. By thoughtfully blending rich greens with brown, tan, gray, and natural hues, you can develop a subtle, grounded green tone. Use these organic greens sparingly in any design or decor project to make spaces feel welcoming, peaceful, and quietly sophisticated. Whether you mix custom paint, find the perfect color code, or layer crafty accents, a touch of earthy green connects us right back to the natural world.
