Grey is a neutral and calming color that can work well in many design schemes. While pure grey can seem dull or cold, adding different tints and shades creates more visually interesting greys. There are a few main ways to mix colors to achieve different hues of grey:
- Mixing complementary colors – Combining colors opposite each other on the color wheel, such as blue and orange or red and green.
- Mixing a color with black or white – Adding white will make a tint and adding black will make a shade.
- Mixing analogous colors – Colors next to each other on the color wheel, such as blue, blue-violet, and violet.
The specific proportions needed will depend on the starting colors and the desired grey tone. Keep reading for more details on how to mix custom greys!
Mixing Complementary Colors
One of the most common ways to make grey is by mixing two complementary colors from opposite sides of the color wheel. When combined, complementary colors neutralize each other’s saturation and vibrancy, resulting in a muted, greyed-out shade.
Some examples of complementary color pairs that can mix to create grey include:
| Color 1 | Color 2 |
|---|---|
| Blue | Orange |
| Red | Green |
| Yellow | Purple |
The exact proportions needed will vary based on the starting shades. Mixing equal parts of vivid complementary colors will generally make a medium grey. Adding more of one color will shift the balance towards that color’s hue. For example, mixing 2 parts orange with 1 part blue will make a slightly warm, beige-like grey.
It’s best to start by mixing small amounts of paint, ink or dye until you achieve the ideal grey for your purposes. Adjusting the balance point between the two complementary colors provides a range of grey tones.
Tinting and Shading with Black and White
Another straightforward way to make grey is by adding black, white or both to a pure color. In color theory, adding white is called tinting, while adding black is called shading.
Tinting a saturated color with white takes it towards light grey. The more white added, the lighter and softer the grey becomes. For example, mixing a small amount of vibrant blue with a lot of white makes a pale bluish-grey.
Shading a color by adding black darkens it towards charcoal grey. The more black added, the darker and richer the grey becomes. Mixing a small amount of red with a lot of black makes a deep reddish-grey.
Starting with a mid-tone or darker color like blue or purple allows you to create a wide range of greys, from nearly white to black. Brighter colors like yellow or red will become muddy with too much black. Mixing both white and black into a color produces greys with subtle warmth or coolness.
| Starting Color | Add White | Add Black |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Very light yellowish grey | Dark olive green-grey |
| Blue | Light bluish-grey | Dark bluish-grey |
| Red | Soft pinkish-grey | Deep burgundy grey |
The specific recipe depends on the starting color and desired grey tone. Mixing black and white together without any color makes pure neutral greys.
Mixing Analogous Colors
Analogous colors are located right next to each other on the color wheel. Mixing adjacent colors subtly reduces their saturation while retaining some hue.
Some examples of analogous colors that blend to create appealing greys include:
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Color 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Blue-violet | Violet |
| Yellow | Yellow-green | Green |
| Orange | Red-orange | Red |
Mixing equal parts of analogous colors makes a neutral grey leaning towards those hues. Adjusting the percentages shifts the balance. For instance, mixing mostly blue with just a little violet makes a cooler blue-grey.
Using adjacent colors on the wheel results in natural, harmonious combinations. The greys have subtle undertones that provide interest without being overwhelming. Analogous mixes work well for muted, soothing color palettes.
Best Color Combinations for Grey
Some mixtures make better greys than others. Here are a few recommended color combinations for mixing custom grey tones:
Blue + Orange
Vivid primary colors are complementary opposites that quickly neutralize each other. Equal parts makes a balanced medium grey. Adjusting the ratio slightly towards one color provides a warmer or cooler undertone. The lively starting colors mix to make an elegant, versatile grey.
Purple + Green
These secondary color complements both have enough chroma to mix into attractive greys. Equal ratios makes a nice neutral balance. Green mutes the brightness of purple, while purple tones down green. The subtler mixture creates an adaptable, relaxing grey.
Blue + Violet + White
Adding soft violet as an intermediate analogous color reduces blue’s harshness. Extra white lightens the mix to a pale blue-gray with a soothing, peaceful feel. The white also makes the undertones more subtle. This combo works well for airy, ethereal color schemes.
Yellow + Red + Black
Small amounts of yellow and red mixed with plenty of black make a sophisticated dark charcoal grey with just a hint of earthiness. The deep black minimizes the vibrancy of the starting colors. This rich, velvety grey complements and contrasts lighter elements.
Green + Yellow + White
The brightness of green and yellow combined with white makes a pleasant, spring-like light greenish-grey. Adjusting the percentage of white lightens or darkens the tone. The soft colors mix into a warm, natural grey, great for outdoorsy color palettes.
Tips for Mixing Grey Tones
Here are some helpful tips for mixing custom greys through color combinations:
– Start with small amounts and adjust as needed. It’s easier to lighten or darken a grey than remove color.
– Using one warm and one cool color (e.g. yellow and blue) makes the most neutral grey. Mixing warm colors tends towards brown, while cool colors mix towards blue-green.
– Avoid combining colors too far apart on the color wheel, as this can sometimes make muddy browns and olives rather than grey.
– Adding a third analogous color (e.g. red + red-orange + orange) helps subtlety reduce brightness.
– When tinting or shading, lighter colors need more white and less black to avoid becoming muddy.
– Adding 3-5% white or black can subtly lighten or darken a custom mix without drastically changing the hue.
– Start with higher quality artist paints, inks or dyes. Cheaper kid’s paints have less pigmentation, making it harder to create rich neutrals.
– Test your custom greys on a sample board before committing to a large project. Check the tone in both natural and artificial light.
Conclusion
Mixing colors is an art as well as a science. Following color theory principles helps guide you in combining colors to make appealing greys. Complementary, analogous or tinted/shaded mixes allow you to create the perfect grey tone for any design. Balance the starting colors and adjust amounts as needed to match your aesthetic vision. With practice, you can learn how to mix custom greys to suit any project needs.
