Mixing colors to achieve a desired shade can be challenging, especially when attempting to match the complex hues found in nature. Wine colors in particular can vary greatly, from pale and pinkish to deep ruby reds. Finding the right combination of paints or dyes to replicate these colors is an art in itself. In this article, we’ll explore what paint pigments and color mixtures are best for achieving a true wine color.
Understanding Wine Color
The color of wine is influenced by several factors:
– Grape variety – Different grape varieties contain different amounts of colorful plant pigments. For example, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are naturally higher in anthocyanins, which impart more saturated red hues.
– Skin contact – The skins of red wine grapes contribute color. More time spent in contact with the grape skins during fermentation leads to a darker, more intense wine color.
– Oak barrel aging – Aging red wine in oak barrels imparts some brown/tawny hues from the wood. This modulates the vivid purple tones.
– Blending – Blending lighter and darker wines together is a technique used to fine-tune the final shade.
So wine color can range from:
– Pale pink
– Ruby
– Garnet
– Brick red
– Deep purple
The vibrant ruby tones found in young red wines come from anthocyanin pigments extracted from grape skins. As red wines age, these bright purple hues shift toward more brick-like shades of orange, brown and red influenced by compounds like tannins.
Key Pigments for Mixing Wine Colors
Here are some essential paint pigments for mixing wine-like colors:
– Alizarin crimson – A cool, bluish red that provides vivid crimson and purple undertones similar to young red wines.
– Cadmium red – A warm, orangish red that brings brightness and mimics aged red wine hues.
– Burnt umber – A rich brownish red that supplies tawny depth. Adds subtle brick/orange hints like an older red wine.
– Titanium white – A neutral white that lightens and softens mixtures. Useful for making pinkish wine tones.
– Ultramarine blue – A reddish-purple blue that can modulate red mixtures. Deepens the shades.
– Carbon black – A neutral black that darkens and saturates the red when mixed in.
Mixing Paint for a Ruby Red Wine Color
Here is one combination for mixing a youthful, vibrant ruby red wine shade:
– Alizarin crimson (major component)
– Cadmium red (smaller amount)
– Touch of ultramarine blue
– Dash of carbon black
The alizarin crimson provides the strong, cool purple-red foundation. Cadmium red lifts the tone with warmth. A very small amount of ultramarine blue helps deepen the red. Finally, a touch of black saturates the mixture into a rich ruby tone.
Adjust the ratios to shift between lighter, more pinkish reds and darker cherry-like shades. Add a tiny bit of titanium white to soften the red for a delicate rosé color.
Mixing for a Mature, Brick-Hued Red Wine
For an older, oxidized red wine tone leaning towards brick-red/orange:
– Burnt umber (major component)
– Cadmium red
– Alizarin crimson
– Touch of carbon black
The burnt umber brings an aged, brownish red character. The cadmium red boosts vibrancy and orangey brightness. Alizarin crimson supplies subtle cool, purple undertones. Black helps mute and consolidate the mixture into a coherent shade.
Vary the burnt umber/cadmium red ratio to go between a lighter brick red or deeper oxblood tone. Add white to make softer terracotta hues.
Mixing Paint for a Rosé Wine Color
Many rosé wines have an inviting pink color. Mix the following for a light pink reminiscent of rosé:
– Titanium white (major component)
– Alizarin crimson
– Touch of cadmium red
The white forms the foundation for the lightness. Alizarin crimson contributes delicate red-purple tones. A tiny bit of cadmium red adds warmth, keeping the shade from looking too violet.
Vary the white/crimson ratio to go between paler and bolder pinks. Add a little burnt umber to create an antique, mauve-like rosé color.
Mixing Paint for a Deep, Dark Red Wine
Here’s one way to mix an intensely dark red wine shade:
– Alizarin crimson
– Cadmium red
– Ultramarine blue
– Burnt umber
– Carbon black
Use alizarin crimson and cadmium red as base components, in roughly equal amounts. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue and burnt umber to deepen and enrich the red. Finally, incorporate enough carbon black to reach an extremely dark shade.
Adjusting the black level lets you modulate between a lighter burgundy and an opaque, almost blackish red.
Quick Tips for Mixing Wine Colors
– Use a crimson base for bright young reds, umber for mature brick shades.
– Add cadmium red to increase vibrancy in either.
– Ultramarine blue helps deepen both young and old red tones.
– Black saturates and darkens red mixtures.
– White softens and lightens reds into pinks.
– Mix white with a little crimson and cadmium red for rosé pink.
– Combine all pigments together for deep purplish wine hues.
Conclusion
Mixing paint to achieve an appealing wine color requires selecting, blending and balancing the right pigments. Alizarin crimson, burnt umber, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, titanium white and carbon black offer a versatile palette. Match the grape variety and age characteristics you want. A young Cabernet inspired shade utilizes different ratios of pigment than an aged, oak-influenced Merlot tone. Experiment with the color combinations discussed to mix your perfect wine hue.
