Dark red is a rich and vibrant color that can add drama and intensity to designs, paintings, textiles, and more. While pure red is bright and bold, dark red has more depth and sophistication. There are a few different ways to mix and darken reds to achieve a dark red hue. This depends on the specific medium being used, as well as the starting shades of red. With paints, dyes, inks, and other colorants, dark red is usually mixed by adding black, brown, or blue to a red base. The most common way to darken red is by adding black or brown. However, adding blue can also mute red into a deep burgundy or maroon shade.
Mixing Paint to Achieve Dark Red
When mixing paint, a dark red can be blended by adding black, brown, or blue to a red paint:
– Adding black will create a deeper, muted red. Start with a red paint and add a small amount of black paint, mixing thoroughly. Add more black paint in increments if a darker shade is desired. This creates a rich, darker true red.
– Mixing in brown paint will also darken red, resulting in a muted earthy red tone. Begin with red paint and stir in a small amount of brown paint. Keep adding brown to reach the preferred darkness.
– Including some blue paint in the mix will result in a colder, darker red with a purple undertone. Start with red and slowly mix in some blue paint. A touch of blue can create a deep burgundy, while more blue will turn the red towards a maroon.
The amount of black, brown, or blue paint to add depends on the starting shade of red and the exact dark red tone desired. Mixing in too much black may result in a flat, indistinct dark color, so start with small amounts and increase slowly. Test mixes on a palette to compare and tweak the formulation before applying it. This allows perfecting the shade of dark red for the project.
Dyeing and Tinting Fabrics Dark Red
For dyeing and tinting textiles or fabrics, there are specific dyes and tints that can shift red into darker hues:
– Using a navy blue dye or tint can turn red fabric into a deep burgundy or maroon. The blue pigment mixes with and cools the red shade. Start with a small amount of navy dye in the dye bath and increase if a darker result is wanted.
– Brown dyes will also darken red fabric into earthy brick reds. Add a bit of brown dye and test a fabric swatch before dyeing the full fabric.
– For a true deep red, use a special dark red or black dye made for tinting and avoid mixing other color dyes. This will dye the fabric into a rich, pure dark red.
– Another option is to first dye the fabric a solid red using a bright primary red dye. Then, follow up with a second bath of black or brown dye to tint the red fabric darker.
No matter the dyeing method, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing and soaking times when using commercial dyes. Swatches should be tested before dyeing entire fabric lengths to preview the color outcome.
Darkening Red Ink and Paint
For drawing, calligraphy, and painting, colored inks and paints can also be blended to create dark reds:
– Watercolor paints produce translucent layers, so start by wetting the paper and applying a bright primary red wash. Follow up with thin layers of black, brown, or blue paint while the underlying red is still wet. The colors will interact to deepen the red.
– With ink or paint pens, draw on the black over top of red to slowly deepen the color. Allow the red ink to fully dry first before layering the black.
– Mixing colored inks together before applying them will also work. For example, add a few drops of black India ink into red ink and test the mixture on paper. Adjust the black ink amounts to reach the darkness wanted.
– For airbrush paints used on artwork, cars, models, etc., pour the red paint into the airbrush first. Then follow up with layers of black or brown paint, blending them to create a smooth, even tone.
The opacity of the paints or inks will affect the resulting color, so testing strips are helpful to perfect the mix before completing a final project. Allowing layers to dry between applications will produce richer, darker shades.
Digital Design Color Mixing
For digital design work, dark red can be quickly created using design software tools:
– Use a color selection wheel or slider to select a pure red, then decrease the brightness and increase saturation to make that red darker.
– Pick a red hue, then manually input RGB or HEX codes to reduce the brightness.
– Select a red swatch in a digital palette, then add overlay layers of black, brown, or blue using blending modes like multiply or color burn.
– Use the color replacement tool to shift reds into darker or cooler tones across the entire design.
– Download a pre-made swatch library of red hues so you can conveniently sample darker reds.
Digital artists can also sample from existing images to grab exact shades of dark red to reuse in other designs. Overall, digital painting and design programs offer flexible ways to customize ideal deep reds.
Darkening Red with Food Coloring
For baking, cooking, and candy making, red food dye can be darkened by adding other food colorings:
– Mix a few drops of red food coloring with black gel food color to create darker red icing, cake batter, or candy. Start with one drop of black for every couple drops of red and increase as needed.
– Add brown food coloring or caramel coloring with red food dye. Just a small squeeze will tone down bright red icing or candy melts.
– A touch of blue or purple food color will also mute red into deeper wine and burgundy tones.
– Limit the amount of extra coloring added in, as too much can result in unnatural or muddy looking results.
Always follow recipe instructions when tinting foods with dyes. Test a spoonful of batter or frosting before applying color mixes throughout a full recipe. When working with candy melts, add just a toothpick swirl of black or brown and mix well to avoid over-tinting.
Textile Dye Options for Dark Red
| Dye Type | Color Mix | Resulting Shade |
| Fiber reactive dye | True red + small amount of black or brown dye | Deep, muted red |
| Acid dye | Red + navy blue | Burgundy or maroon |
| Disperse dye | Pure dark red dye | Rich true red |
| Natural dye | Madder root + iron mordant | Dark reddish purple |
Paint Mixing Ratios for Dark Red
| Base Color | Added Color | Ratio | Result |
| Bright red | Black | 10:1 | Deep true red |
| Primary red | Brown | 3:1 | Earthy red |
| Crimson red | Navy blue | 5:1 | Maroon |
Conclusion
Dark red is one of the most dramatic shades that can be mixed across any medium, whether that’s paint, fabric dye, ink, or digital tools. By starting with a bright, pure red and adding touches of black, brown, or blue, a deep and sultry dark red can be created. When working with physical paints and dyes, test strips are important to gradually achieve the perfect intensity of color. Digital design tools offer more flexibility to immediately preview and refine dark red tones. With the right color combinations, dark red can make a striking visual impact.