The color that results from mixing green and yellow depends on the specific shades of each color used and the proportions they are combined in. However, in general, mixing green and yellow makes a yellow-green color.
Primary Colors
Green and yellow are two of the three primary colors on the additive RGB (red, green, blue) and subtractive CMY (cyan, magenta, yellow) color models. This means they cannot be created by mixing other colors. When green and yellow light mix, the green and yellow frequencies add together to produce yellow-green light. Similarly, mixing green and yellow pigments results in a yellow-green color.
| Color Model | Primary Colors |
|---|---|
| Additive (RGB) | Red, Green, Blue |
| Subtractive (CMY) | Cyan, Magenta, Yellow |
On the traditional RYB (red, yellow, blue) color model, green and yellow are considered secondary colors, created by mixing two primary colors. But modern color theory recognizes that neither green nor yellow can be created by mixing other colors of light or pigment.
Color Mixing
When green and yellow mix, they create a range of yellow-green hues. The specific resulting color depends on the individual green and yellow used.
Green has a wavelength range of about 495-570 nm, while yellow is 570-590 nm. Mixing a shorter wavelength green with a longer wavelength yellow produces a more yellowish green. Mixing a longer wavelength green with a shorter wavelength yellow makes a more greenish yellow. The proportions also affect the balance of green and yellow.
For example, mixing a lemon yellow with a lime green in equal parts will produce a bright yellow-green. Using more lemon yellow makes it more yellow; extra lime green pushes it toward a greenish chartreuse. Mixing emerald green and golden yellow leans more towards yellow-green.
Color Wheel
On the traditional color wheel, yellow-green resides between green and yellow. The range of possible yellow-greens fills the spectrum between green at 120 degrees and yellow at 60 degrees.
Complementary colors on the color wheel are directly opposite each other, at 180 degrees. The complement of yellow is violet, while the complement of green is red. Yellow-green colors have complements in the red-violet range.
Color harmony combinations like triads use colors spaced equally around the color wheel. A triad with green includes green, yellow-green, and violet.
Mixing Pigments
When working with paints, dyes, or other pigments, mixing green and yellow pigments will make a yellow-green color. The specific green and yellow paint matters. For example:
- Lemon yellow + sap green = chartreuse
- Cadmium yellow + viridian green = lime green
- Hansa yellow + phthalo green = bright spring green
A split primary mixing technique uses adjacent primary colors. Green and yellow are next to each other on the color wheel, so mix a split primary to make yellow-green paint by combining:
- 2 parts cadmium yellow
- 1 part phthalo green
Vary the proportions to adjust the balance of yellow and green.
Mixing Light
When working with light, such as on a computer or theater lighting, combining green and yellow light makes yellow-green. This includes:
- Green and yellow filters
- Green and yellow stage lighting gels
- RGB LED lights
- Color mixing with green and yellow lasers
The shade of yellow-green depends on the specific wavelengths of green and yellow light. Shorter wavelength greens mixed with longer wavelength yellows produce yellower hues.
With RGB LED lights, green is created by turning on the green element, yellow by red + green elements. Adjusting the relative intensities changes the yellow-green balance. Computer screens mix RGB colors to generate any color, including yellow-greens.
Printing Inks
In the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) ink model, green and yellow are two of the primary colors. Mixing green and yellow ink makes a yellow-green:
- Cyan = absorbs red light
- Magenta = absorbs green light
- Yellow = absorbs blue light
A 50/50 blend of green and yellow ink absorbs red and blue light, leaving green and yellow light to mix into yellow-green. Varying the proportions adjusts the green/yellow balance.
Combining offset printing inks produces a darker, murkier color than mixing pure green and yellow light. Special mixing formulas are used to create vibrant yellow-greens.
Textiles and Dyes
Dyeing fabric or yarn yellow-green requires finding an appropriate yellow and green dye. Options include:
- Acid green + acid yellow
- Fiber reactive turquoise green + lemon yellow
- Green + yellow food coloring
The balance of green and yellow depends on the dyes used and relative amounts. More green dye makes a greener yellow; more yellow dye pushes it towards yellowish green.
With ink jet printing on fabric, combining green and yellow ink produces a yellow-green color. Digital printing allows precisely mixing colors by adjusting RGB values.
Mixing Paints
When mixing green and yellow paint, the resulting yellow-green depends on the specific green and yellow hues. Greens vary from cool blues to warm yellow-greens. Yellows range from greenish-yellows to warmer orange-yellows. Mixing paints on a palette produces a subtractive color.
Some green + yellow combinations that make nice yellow-greens:
- Cadmium green + cadmium yellow = chartreuse
- Hooker’s green + lemon yellow = lime
- Sap green + Hansa yellow = spring green
Adjust the proportions to vary the levels of green and yellow. Alternately, mix a triad using one part each of green, yellow, and violet paint.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Green and yellow reside next to each other on the visible electromagnetic spectrum. Green ranges from 495-570 nm; yellow 570-590 nm. Yellow-green spans the wavelengths between green and yellow, from 515-580 nm.
Mixing wavelengths of green light towards 495 nm and yellow around 580 nm produces yellower greens. Longer green wavelengths around 570 nm mixed with shorter 565-70 nm yellows make greener yellows.
Plants reflect yellow and green wavelengths well, resulting in the green leaves and yellow flowers we see. Yellow-green is a common plant and foliage color.
Image credit: Inductiveload, Wikimedia Commons
Conclusion
Mixing green and yellow creates yellow-green colors. On the color wheel, yellow-green fills the spectrum between green at 120 degrees and yellow at 60 degrees. The specific shade of yellow-green depends on the individual green and yellow hues and the proportions used. Yellow-green can be produced by mixing green and yellow light, pigments, dyes, or paints.
