Orange is a vibrant and energetic color that combines the warmth of red and the cheerfulness of yellow. But what colors exactly make orange when mixed together? The simple answer is that red and yellow blend to create orange. However, there are different shades of orange that can be made by mixing different variations of reds and yellows.
Primary Colors That Make Orange
In painting, the primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. When you mix the primary colors red and yellow together, they make the secondary color orange. So the most basic color combination to create orange is:
- Red
- Yellow
Red and yellow are positioned opposite each other on the color wheel. Secondary colors like orange, green, and purple are formed when primary colors are mixed. Combining red pigment with yellow pigment results in orange paint.
Shades of Red and Yellow to Mix
However, the shade of orange you get depends on the types of red and yellow you use. There are different varieties of reds – from warmer reds with a bit of orange to cooler reds with more blue tones. Yellows also range from lemon yellow to deeper golden yellows.
Here are some examples of red and yellow shades that blend well to form different oranges:
| Red | Yellow | Resulting Orange |
| Cadmium red | Cadmium yellow | Vivid orange |
| Vermilion | Naples yellow | Warmer orange |
| Alizarin crimson | Lemon yellow | Bright orange |
| Scarlet | Aureolin | Orange with yellow tint |
Cadmium red mixed with cadmium yellow produces a pure, intense orange. Vermilion is a red with a touch of orange, so combining it with yellow creates a warmer, softer orange. Alizarin crimson is a cool, bluish red that makes a vivid orange when blended with lemon yellow. Scarlet red skews orange already, so mixing it with yellow yields an orange with a definite yellow tinge.
Tertiary Colors for Orange
While red and yellow are the two primary colors that mix to make orange, you can also blend complementary tertiary colors to create different hues of orange.
Tertiary colors are made by combining a primary color with a secondary color adjacent to it on the color wheel. Some examples of tertiary colors that can mix to form orange include:
- Red-orange + Yellow-green
- Red-violet + Yellow-orange
- Violet + Orange
- Red + Chartreuse
Here’s a look at some tertiary color pairs that result in shades of orange:
| Color 1 | Color 2 | Resulting Orange |
| Red-orange | Yellow-green | Golden orange |
| Red-violet | Yellow-orange | Rusty orange |
| Violet | Orange | Reddish orange |
| Red | Chartreuse | Neon orange |
Mixing opposite tertiary colors like red-orange and yellow-green results in a warmer, golden orange hue. Combining red-violet with yellow-orange makes a subdued rusty orange. Violet is the complement of orange on the color wheel, so it neutralizes the orange to a more reddish tone. Chartreuse is a bright yellow-green that creates a fluorescent orange when blended with pure red.
Analogous Colors to Shift Orange
Analogous colors are located right next to each other on the color wheel. Blending orange with the analogous colors on either side of it will subtly shift the orange hue towards redder or yellower shades.
Some examples of analogous colors that can be mixed with orange include:
- Orange + Red = Red-orange
- Orange + Yellow-Orange = Golden orange
- Orange + Yellow = Yellow-orange
- Orange + Yellow-Green = Amber orange
Here is a table showing how adding just a touch of an analogous color shifts orange to different tones:
| Orange | Analogous Color | Resulting Variation |
| Orange | Red | Reddish orange |
| Orange | Yellow-orange | Golden orange |
| Orange | Yellow | Yellowish orange |
| Orange | Yellow-green | Amber orange |
With just a small amount of red added, orange takes on a more reddish tone. Yellow-orange makes it golden, yellow adds more yellowness, and yellow-green shifts orange into amber hues. The analogous colors create subtle nuances while keeping the color firmly in the orange family.
Complimentary Colors for Contrast
The complement of orange on the color wheel is blue. Adding a small amount of blue to orange creates contrast and visual interest.
Some examples of blue hues that work well to complement orange:
- Orange + Cobalt blue = Vibrant contrast
- Orange + Cerulean blue = Cool contrast
- Orange + Ultramarine blue = Rich contrast
Using the complement blue makes the orange appear more vivid. Here’s an overview of how it impacts the orange color:
| Orange | Complementary Blue | Effect on Orange |
| Orange | Cobalt blue | Increased vibrancy |
| Orange | Cerulean blue | Cooler contrast |
| Orange | Ultramarine blue | Richer contrast |
Cobalt blue makes orange pop with liveliness. Cerulean blue adds a coolness that contrasts with the warmth of orange. Ultramarine creates a luxurious complementary pairing. So a touch of blue is a great way to make orange stand out in a composition.
Monochromatic Orange Colors
Using different shades, tints, and tones of orange can form a monochromatic color scheme. Adding white to orange makes tints, while black produces tones.
Some examples of monochromatic colors using orange:
- Bright orange + White = Light orange
- Bright orange + Dark orange = Burnt orange
- Bright orange + Black = Rustic orange
Here is an overview of how monochromatic versions can alter orange:
| Base Orange | Monochromatic Version | Resulting Orange Variation |
| Bright orange | White | Soft pastel orange |
| Bright orange | Dark orange | Earthy burnt orange |
| Bright orange | Black | Muted rustic orange |
Adding white lightens and desaturates orange to a pastel orange shade. Combining with a darker orange produces an earthy, burnt type of orange. And black brings down the brightness for a vintage rustic orange appearance.
Split Complementary Colors
The split complement of orange uses the two colors adjacent to orange’s complement blue. These are yellow-green and red-violet.
Some split complementary color combinations with orange include:
- Orange + Yellow-green = Vibrant contrast
- Orange + Red-violet = Complementary harmony
- Orange + Yellow-green + Red-violet = Colorful triad
Here’s an overview of how the split complementary colors interact with orange:
| Orange | Split Complement | Effect on Orange |
| Orange | Yellow-green | Energetic contrast |
| Orange | Red-violet | Harmonic balance |
| Orange | Yellow-green + Red-violet | Vibrant triad |
Yellow-green makes orange pop with lively contrast. Red-violet complements orange for a harmonious balance. And using all three together forms an vibrant, eclectic triad of colors with orange as the focal point.
Tetradic (Rectangle) Colors
The rectangle or tetradic colors use four hues from different areas of the color wheel. Tetrads are made by pairing the complement with the two analog colors on either side.
Some tetradic rectangle color schemes with orange:
- Orange + Blue + Red + Yellow
- Orange + Blue + Yellow-orange + Yellow-green
Here is an overview of how tetradic colors interact with orange:
| Orange | Tetradic Colors | Effect on Orange |
| Orange | Blue + Red + Yellow | Vibrant balanced contrast |
| Orange | Blue +Yellow-orange + Yellow-green | Rich colorful harmony |
The primary tetrad creates vibrant even contrast, with blue as the complement to balance the warm hues. Using the analogous colors creates color harmony with orange as the focal point. Tetrads give the ability to combine colors from four different areas for dynamic results.
Triadic Colors
A triadic color scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. The triad of orange includes red and yellow-green.
Some examples of triadic color combinations with orange:
- Orange + Red + Yellow-green
- Bright orange + Scarlet + Chartreuse
Here is an overview of common triadic color schemes with orange:
| Orange | Triadic Colors | Effect on Orange |
| Orange | Red + Yellow-green | Energetic and vibrant |
| Bright orange | Scarlet + Chartreuse | Bold and lively |
Triadic color harmonies are naturally vibrant, giving orange visual dynamism. The three colors are evenly balanced for an energetic color scheme.
Conclusion
In summary, the primary colors red and yellow combine to create orange. But many shades of orange can be mixed by using different color combinations:
- Tints and tones – Add white, black, or darker oranges
- Analogous colors – Blend with reds, yellows, yellow-oranges, yellow-greens
- Complementary colors – Contrast with blues
- Split complementary colors – Use yellow-green and red-violet
- Tetradic/rectangle colors – Combine with blue, red, and yellow
- Triadic colors – Include red and yellow-green
Understanding color theory helps artists mix a wide range of vibrant oranges. Explore varying shades of reds, yellows, and oranges to find your perfect blend. Complement with blues or combine with adjacent colors on the wheel for liveliness. Layer pure colors straight from the tube or add white for pastels or black for muted tones. With a palette of paint and a color wheel, you can easily mix gorgeous oranges.
