When it comes to mixing paint colors, the possibilities are endless! But what happens when you mix specific shades like purple, yellow and pink? Let’s explore the color combinations and see what new hues can be created.
How Color Mixing Works
Mixing colors is based on the color wheel and basic color theory principles. The color wheel consists of primary, secondary and tertiary colors. The primary colors are red, blue and yellow. These colors cannot be created by mixing other colors. When you mix two primary colors, you get one of the secondary colors – purple, green and orange. Tertiary colors are made by mixing a primary and a secondary color next to each other on the wheel.
When mixing paints, the basic rules are:
- Mixing primary colors creates secondary colors
- Mixing two secondary colors creates a brown/muted tone
- Mixing a primary and secondary makes a tertiary color
- Adding white makes colors lighter (tints)
- Adding black makes colors darker (shades)
Following these principles, we can predict the new colors that will be created when mixing purple, yellow and pink paint.
Mixing Purple and Yellow
Purple and yellow are secondary colors on opposite sides of the color wheel. Purple is made by mixing red and blue, while yellow is a primary color. When mixed together in equal parts, purple and yellow make an earthy olive green color.
Here is a quick table showing the mixing ratios and the resulting colors:
| Purple | Yellow | Resulting Color |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 50% | Olive green |
| 75% | 25% | Muted purple |
| 25% | 75% | Mustard yellow-green |
When more purple is used in the mix, it mutes the yellow into an earthy olive tone. Adding more yellow keeps the tone greenish but brighter.
Combining Purple and Pink
Purple and pink are both made by mixing a lot of red into the base color. Purple contains blue while pink has white added to it. When mixed, they create a light reddish lavender color. Here are some example mixing ratios:
| Purple | Pink | Resulting Color |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 50% | Lavender pink |
| 25% | 75% | Light pink |
| 75% | 25% | Light purple |
Equal parts purple and pink make a lavender shade with both colors contributing. Adding more pink keeps it light and pinkish, while more purple makes a soft lilac shade.
Mixing Yellow and Pink
Since yellow is a primary color and pink contains white, combining these two makes various tints of orange. Yellow with just a touch of pink becomes a peach tone. Here are some examples:
| Yellow | Pink | Resulting Color |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 50% | Peach |
| 75% | 25% | Orange |
| 25% | 75% | Light pinkish orange |
With more yellow, the tones get increasingly orange. The pink softens and tints the orange when more of it is added to the mix.
Mixing All Three Colors
When purple, yellow and pink are all combined, the red and blue cancel each other out leaving the yellow to dominate. However, the white from the pink will soften and lighten the end result. Here are some potential mixes:
| Purple | Yellow | Pink | Resulting Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33% | 33% | 33% | Soft light orange |
| 10% | 45% | 45% | Light peach |
| 45% | 45% | 10% | Mustard tan |
With equal amounts, the yellow stands out but is softened by the pink. Increasing the pink and lowering purple makes lighter peachy tones. More yellow and less pink creates earthy mustard colors.
Tinting and Shading the Mixes
The colors created by mixing purple, yellow and pink can be modified further by adding white to make tints or black to make shades. Here are some examples:
- Olive green + white = soft sage green
- Lavender pink + white = very pale pink
- Orange + white = creamy peach
- Mustard tan + black = deep golden brown
Adding white will lighten any of the mixed colors, reducing their saturation. Black has the opposite effect, making the tones much deeper and more saturated.
Painting Techniques with Color Mixes
The color mixes from purple, yellow and pink open up many creative possibilities for painting. Here are some ideas:
- Use lively peach tones for a spring landscape
- Paint an evening sky with mustard, lavender and orange
- Create depth with olive and sage green in a nature scene
- Paint a field of flowers using assorted tints of orange and pink
- Use the muted tones for an antique still life painting
Combining the colors in different ratios across the painting creates visual interest. The earthy tones work well for organic subjects like landscapes and flowers. More whimsical mixes with peach and light pink suit lively spring and summer themes. There are so many ways to experiment with these colors!
Other Mixing Considerations
A few other quick tips when mixing purple, yellow and pink:
- Start with smaller mixing ratios to prevent making muddy brown colors
- Clean brushes thoroughly between colors to keep mixes bright
- Use a color mixing chart or wheel for guidance on outcomes
- Test colors on a spare canvas first before applying to the actual painting
- Mixing applies to other mediums like pastels, colored pencils, dyes, etc.
Following basic color theory principles helps predict the mixtures that occur. But always test out ratios first, as paints from different brands may vary. Mixing these colors opens up many unique shades to inspire creativity!
Conclusion
Mixing the secondary colors purple and yellow makes earthy greens and olive tones. Combining purple and pink results in light reddish lavenders. Yellow and pink form bright peach and orange hues. Including all three creates soft mustard, tan and peach shades depending on the ratios used. Adding white and black modifies the tones further. The combinations offer many options for painting vibrant, lively subjects or muted antique and organic themes. Following basic color mixing principles allows experimenting with these colors to unlock beautiful new shades.
