Green is a versatile secondary color that can be mixed with a variety of other colors to produce different shades and tones. The specific color that results when green is combined with another color depends on the type and amount of each color used. Here are some of the most common colors that can be made by mixing with green and how to achieve them:
Mixing Green with Red
Red and green are complementary colors on the color wheel, meaning they are directly opposite each other. When mixed together, they balance each other out to create a brown tone. The more red that is added, the browner and warmer the resulting color will appear. Adding just a small amount of red to green creates an earthy, olive shade. Here are some specific shades you can make:
- Olive green – Add a touch of red to green
- Moss green – Use more green than red
- Army green – Use equal parts green and red
- Brown – Use more red than green
Mixing different amounts of green and red paint, ink or dye allows you to smoothly transition between different shades of green, olive and brown.
Mixing Green with Blue
Blue is located next to green on the color wheel. When combined, they create shades of teal or aqua. The more blue that is used, the cooler and brighter the resulting color will be. Starting with a green base:
- Sea green – Add a small amount of blue
- Aquamarine – Use equal parts blue and green
- Turquoise – Use more blue than green
Navy blue paint mixed with just a touch of green will also produce a deep teal tone. Mixing blue and green results in tranquil, watery hues perfect for creating an ocean scene.
Mixing Green with Yellow
Yellow is on the opposite side of red on the color wheel, so when combined with green it makes bright, lively hues. The more yellow used, the brighter and more luminous the resulting color will be. Starting with green:
- Chartreuse – Add just a touch of yellow
- Green-yellow – Use slightly more yellow than green
- Spring green – Use equal parts yellow and green
- Lime green – Use more yellow than green
Mixing green and yellow is a great way to create bright, zesty shades perfect for tropical designs or accents.
Mixing Green with Purple
Purple is made by mixing red and blue, so it combines well with green to form shades of green with a blueish-reddish tint. The more purple used, the deeper and grayer the resulting green will appear. Some colors you can make are:
- Forest green – Add just a touch of purple
- Hunter green – Use slightly more purple than green
- Fern green – Use equal parts purple and green
- Dark olive green – Use more purple than green
Mixing green and purple allows you to create rich, complex green tones perfect for autumnal landscapes or a moody design scheme.
Mixing Green with Orange
Orange contains both red and yellow, so when mixed with green it results in earthy olive and brown tones. Adding just a small amount of orange to green will produce an olive shade, while using more orange will result in deeper khaki and brown colors. For example:
- Citron green – Add a touch of orange to green
- Hazel green – Use slightly more orange than green
- Khaki – Use equal parts orange and green
- Rust – Use more orange than green
Mixing complementary orange and green is an easy way to produce natural, earthy color combinations perfect for autumn themes.
Mixing Green with White
Adding white to green produces a tinted, lighter version of the original shade. The more white used, the lighter and brighter the resulting green will appear. For example:
- Mint green – Add a small amount of white to green
- Seafoam green – Use slightly more white than green
- Light green – Use equal parts white and green
- Lime green – Use more white than green
Mixing just a touch of white with green allows you to softly brighten the shade for a crisp, cool tone.
Mixing Green with Black
Adding black to green creates deeper, darker shades of green. The more black used, the deeper and grayer the resulting color will be. For example:
- Forest green – Add just a touch of black
- Dark green – Use slightly more black than green
- Army green – Use equal parts black and green
- Olive green – Use more black than green
Mixing in black allows you to smoothly transition green into deeper shades like olive and forest green.
Mixing Green with Brown
Since brown already contains green, mixing the two colors creates deeper, earthier shades of brown. The more brown used, the warmer and more muted the resulting color will be. For example:
- Fern – Add just a touch of brown to green
- Moss green – Use slightly more green than brown
- Khaki – Use equal parts green and brown
- Taupe – Use more brown than green
Brown and green combine beautifully to form natural, woodsy color palettes perfect for organic designs.
Mixing Green with Pink
Pink is made by mixing red and white, so combining it with green results in softened shades of red-green that have a rosy tint. The more pink used, the warmer and more muted the resulting color will be. For example:
- Mint – Add just a touch of pink to green
- Seafoam green – Use slightly more green than pink
- Blush green – Use equal parts pink and green
- Dusty rose – Use more pink than green
Mixing pink and green creates a gently feminine, romantic color combination.
Mixing Green with Gray
Since gray is created by mixing black and white, adding it to green results in subdued, muted shades of green. The more gray used, the softer and more subtle the resulting color will be. For example:
- Celadon – Add just a touch of gray to green
- Moss green – Use slightly more green than gray
- Spruce green – Use equal parts gray and green
- Green gray – Use more gray than green
Combining green and gray allows you to tone down the intensity for an elegant, sophisticated feel.
Conclusion
Green is an extremely mixable color that can be combined with just about any other hue to create a range of beautiful shades. Whether you want bold lime green, earthy olive tones, or soft seafoam hues, you can mix green with colors like red, yellow, blue, black, white and everything in between to achieve the perfect shade. Knowing color theory helps you intuitively predict how colors will blend so you can confidently mix custom colors for any project.
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Resulting Color |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Red | Olive green |
| Green | Blue | Teal |
| Green | Yellow | Lime green |
| Green | Purple | Forest green |
| Green | Orange | Khaki |
| Green | White | Seafoam green |
| Green | Black | Dark green |
| Green | Brown | Moss green |
| Green | Pink | Mint |
| Green | Gray | Celadon |