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What does red mix with to make white?

What does red mix with to make white?

Red is a primary color, meaning it cannot be created by mixing other colors. However, when red light and cyan light mix together in equal intensity, they create the sensation of white light to our eyes. So in lighting and on computer screens, red and cyan make white. When it comes to paint and color mixing, the combination is a bit different.

How to Make White from Red Paint

In painting, red, yellow, and blue are considered the primary colors. This means they cannot be created by mixing any other colors. So to make white paint from red paint, you need to mix in the right combination of yellow and blue paint:

Red paint Yellow paint Blue paint
1 part 1 part 1 part

Mixing equal parts red, yellow, and blue paint will make white paint. This is because red, yellow and blue are the primary colors in painting, so together they contain all the visible spectrum of light. When blended together evenly, they create white.

The Color Wheel

To understand why red, yellow and blue make white when blended, it helps to look at a color wheel. The color wheel shows the relationship between primary, secondary and tertiary colors:

– The primary colors – red, yellow and blue – are spaced evenly around the color wheel at 120 degree angles. They cannot be created by mixing other colors.

– The secondary colors – orange, green and violet – are created by mixing adjacent pairs of primary colors. For example, red mixed with yellow makes orange.

– The tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with an adjacent secondary color. Red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet and red-violet are examples of tertiary colors.

Mixing complementary colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel results in a shade of grey or brown. But when all three primary colors are mixed together in the proper portions, they contain the full spectrum of visible light, which our eyes see as white.

Whitewash and Off-White Mixing

Sometimes pure white paint is too stark and bright for walls and furniture. An off-white or antique white paint is often preferred for a softer, more welcoming look. These off-white shades can be created by mixing white paint with small amounts of complementary colors.

For example, mixing a tiny bit of blue into white paint will create an off-white with a slightly cool tone. Adding a touch of yellow makes the white slightly warm and creamy looking. Mixing red and brown pigments into white paint creates an antique looking whitewash effect.

The general rule of thumb when creating an off-white paint is to start with pure white paint, then add no more than 10% of your accent color. This retains the white base while giving just a hint of color tone.

Tinting White with Pure Red Pigment

Another way to mix a custom white paint is by tinting white with pure red pigment. Alizarin crimson, cadmium red or quinacridone red are very potent pigments that only take a tiny amount to tint white paint.

Add just a dab of pure red to white paint and mix thoroughly. This will make the white shift towards a very subtle warm peach or pink tone. Too much red pigment will make the paint become visibly reddish, so a delicate touch is needed.

This technique of tinting white with pure color pigment works with other colors too. A touch of phthalo blue or viridian green will make white paint have a cooler, slightly greenish-blue cast. Subtle custom colored whites can be created by tinting in this way.

Mixing White Frosting and Icing

For bakers and cake decorators, the same color principles apply when mixing custom white frosting and icing.

To create bright clean white frosting, mix icing sugar (also called powdered or confectioner’s sugar), butter or shortening, milk or cream, and vanilla extract or almond extract. Whip until light and fluffy.

Off-white frosting or icing can be made by adding a drop of food coloring – yellow, blue, pink or brown. Whip the frosting first, then add coloring a little at a time until reaching the desired soft white shade.

Here are some examples of tinted white icing colors and how to achieve them:

Icing Color Food Coloring Used
Warm vanilla white Pinch of yellow
Antique white Touch of brown
Blush white Bit of pink
Cool creamy white Hint of blue

When coloring frosting, remember to add just a small amount of food coloring at first. Mix thoroughly and check the color before adding more. Too much will over-tint the frosting.

Mixing White Cement and Concrete

To create white cement or concrete, start by mixing gray Portland cement with white silica sand in a 5 to 1 ratio. This lightens the mixture, but is still dark gray in color.

The next step is to add powdered limestone, also called whiting. Whiting is a white mineral powder that acts as a coloring agent and lightens the concrete when mixed in. A general rule is to add 2 to 3 bags of whiting for every 1 bag of mixed cement and sand.

Finally, add white cement instead of gray cement to make the concrete fully white. White cement is made from raw materials that are low in iron and magnesium, resulting in a brilliant white color instead of gray.

Mixing the white cement with whiting and white sand will create a bright, clean white concrete or cement finish for paths, walls, countertops and other applications.

Mixing White Paint for Drywall, Plaster and Walls

When painting interior walls and surfaces, choosing the right white paint color is key. There are so many options for white paint from bright white to antique white.

– Extra white or high gloss white paint has intense pigments that reflect lots of light. This gives walls and trim a vivid white color.

– Flat white paint has more subtle pigments and a matte, chalky finish. This creates softer white walls.

– Eggshell white has a silky finish with moderate sheen. This works well for walls in high traffic areas.

– Antique white paint uses warmer hues like cream and ivory to mimic aged white paint.

Choosing samples of different white paint colors and testing them on drywall before painting the entire wall is wise. Colors often look different once applied to the entire space.

Mixing White Modeling Clay or Air-Dry Clay

For fun craft projects, white modeling clay can be made at home using just a few ingredients:

– 2 cups baking soda

– 1 cup corn starch

– 1 1⁄4 cups water

Mix the baking soda and corn starch together first. Then stir in the water a bit at a time until a doughy clay forms. Knead the clay for a few minutes to get rid of lumps.

This makes a bright white air-dry modeling clay that can be shaped into sculptures, beads, ornaments and other crafts. Let air-dry overnight, then paint with acrylic paints if desired.

For a tinted clay, add a drop or two of food coloring to the water before mixing it into the clay. This will create softly colored modeling clay in shades like cream, blush, ice blue and more.

Conclusion

While red pigment on its own cannot be physically mixed to create white, combining red light with cyan light can produce the perception of white to our eyes. For paints and color mixing, red must be combined with blue and yellow in equal parts to create true white. Understanding color theory helps explain how adding all the primary colors together results in white light or paint.

Whether mixing paint, baking ingredients, cement or modeling clay, following the basics of the color wheel provides a guide to blend red with other colors to create clean, bright or softly tinted shades of white for any project need.