When looking for shades of brown that have red undertones, it’s important to understand color theory. Brown is a tertiary color made by combining the primary colors red, yellow and blue. The particular combination of the primaries is what gives brown its different hues and tones. Adding more red introduces a reddish tint, while adding more yellow makes the brown appear warmer and more golden. The amount of blue also affects the tone. More blue yields a cooler, darker brown. So brown shades with red undertones inherently have more red mixed in than yellow or blue.
The Color Wheel
Looking at a color wheel helps visualize how the different primary colors combine to make secondary and tertiary colors. Brown sits between the primary colors red and yellow on the wheel. The browns moving closer toward the red primary inherently take on a reddish quality. Browns leaning toward the yellow primary appear more golden brown.
| Primary Colors | Secondary Colors | Tertiary Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Orange | Red-Orange |
| Yellow | Green | Yellow-Orange |
| Blue | Purple | Red-Purple |
This color wheel shows how brown shades are created by mixing differing amounts of the primaries red, yellow and blue. Browns with red undertones inherently contain more red.
Warm and Cool Brown Tones
Brown shades are often described as either warm or cool. This refers to the undertones present:
– Warm browns have more yellow and red undertones. They appear richer and more golden.
– Cool browns contain more blue undertones. They appear darker and more muted.
So warm brown shades with red undertones have higher amounts of both red and yellow primaries. They are both reddish and golden in appearance.
Some examples of warm brown shades with red undertones:
– Russet
– Auburn
– Copper
– Chestnut
– Rust
– Terracotta
– Mahogany
– Merlot
Cool brown shades with red undertones have more blue mixed in, muting the redness while allowing it to show through.
Some cool browns with red undertones:
– Burgundy
– Dusky Rose Brown
– taupe with a red tinge
– mushroom with a red tint
– charcoal with a red tone
So while warm browns emphasize the redness, cool reds have it show through an overcast of blue.
Light, Medium and Dark Brown Shades
The shade or depth of color also affects how intensely the red undertones show. Darker browns have more blue mixed in, which can mute or obscure the redness. Lighter shades allow the red to shine through more brightly.
Some examples of light brown shades with red undertones:
– Light auburn
– Ginger
– Rosy tan
– Desert sand with a red tint
– Strawberry blonde
– Burnt sienna
Medium brown shades with red undertones:
– Red oak brown
– Chestnut with a red base
– Hazelnut
– Chocolate cherry brown
– Nutmeg
– Almond with a red tinge
Dark brown shades with red undertones:
– Espresso with a maroon tint
– Dark burgundy
– Deep mahogany
– Coffee bean brown with red tones
– Dark liver chestnut
– Blackish eggplant brown
The depth of the brown relates closely to its warmth and coolness. Lighter shades tend to appear warmer due to less blue mixed in, while darker browns look cooler through the muting effect of more blue.
Natural vs Synthetic Browns with Red
There are two main ways to achieve brown shades with red undertones:
1. Naturally through pigments derived from earth minerals and plants.
2. Synthetically by mixing artist paint colors.
Natural brown pigments with red undertones include:
– Red ochre – An iron oxide clay with a deep orange-brown hue.
– Burnt sienna – A clay containing iron oxide, which is roasted in a kiln. This intensifies the warm red-brown tones.
– Raw umber – A clay with iron oxides that produces a pale warm brown.
Synthetic brown shades are created by mixing red, yellow and blue artist paints. Adding more red pigment yields browns with red undertones.
Examples of paint mixtures for brown with red undertones:
– Alizarin crimson + cadmium yellow + ultramarine blue
– Cadmium red + yellow ochre + cerulean blue
– Vermillion + raw sienna + cobalt blue
Changing the ratios of each primary color allows a wide range of brown shades with different levels of redness.
Best Uses for Browns with Red Undertones
The rich, warm hues of brown shades with red undertones lend themselves well to certain color schemes and design aesthetics. Here are some of the best ways to utilize them:
– Rustic, earthy palettes – Browns with red play nicely with other natural tones like terra cotta, sage green, wood tones and cream. Think cabins, timber accents, the outdoors.
– Southwestern adobe themes – Red-tinged browns complement desert palettes with turquoise, tile red-orange and yellow-beige. Used in furniture, textiles and artwork.
– Italian countryside – Red-browns paired with tomato red, olive green, gold and burnt orange evoke Tuscan landscapes. Used in home decor, paint colors and cuisine presentation.
– Autumnal arrangements – For fall decor, centerpieces and clothing palettes, brown shades with red echo the turning leaves and seasonal fruits like cranberries and red grapes.
– Retro 70s looks – Earth tones with red-brown paneling, brick walls and avocado green appliances bring back 70s nostalgia. Use in cabinetry, wall colors and textile prints.
– Rustic bakeries – Red-tinted chocolate and chestnut browns help create a welcoming bakery or cafe aesthetic. Used in signage, menu designs and packaging.
– High-end leather goods – Deep red-browns like mahogany and walnut suit luxury leather bags, shoes, wallets and upholstered furniture.
So in summary, brown shades with red undertones have a warm, enriching effect on both color palettes and interior design themes. Their natural, earthy appeal makes them widely usable for all sorts of aesthetics and moods.
Finding Paint and Dye Shades
If you’re looking for specific shades of brown paint or dye with red undertones, here are some helpful tips:
– Check paint brands like Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Behr. Look at their collections of brown paint swatches, sample cards or color chips in store. Compare and look for warm brown descriptions with “red”, “russet”, “terra cotta” or “cinnamon”.
– For dyes, look for brands like Rit, Dylon and Tulip. Search for “chestnut”, “chocolate cherry” or “mahogany”. Order swatches or dye samples online to test shades.
– Search Etsy or eBay for natural brown dyes like “red ochre” or “alizarin crimson” derived from mineral or plant sources.
– For artists’ acrylics and oils, look for warm brown paints with names like “Venetian Red”, “Raw Sienna” or “Burnt Umber”. Mixing cadmium red with a yellow and blue will also produce nice brown shades with red undertones.
– Buy a color mixing guide or primaries plus black and white. Then you can mix your own perfect custom brown with as much red tone as desired.
Be sure to sample and test paint strips, dye swatches or paint mixtures. Colors can vary between monitor displays and real life. Test application on a small hidden area before fully committing. This will ensure you achieve the perfect warm reddish brown for your project.
Complementary Colors for Brown with Red Undertones
Choosing complementary colors is an important design consideration when working with brown shades that have red undertones. Complements are colors located opposite each other on the color wheel. They create maximum contrast and visual interest when paired together.
Here are some excellent complements for warm brown shades with red:
| Brown with Red Undertones | Complementary Colors |
|---|---|
| Russet | Sea Green, Teal, Turquoise |
| Terracotta | Forest Green, Emerald Green |
| Mahogany | Periwinkle, Lavender |
| Chestnut | Mint Green, Aqua |
| Auburn | Royal Blue, Cobalt Blue |
| Copper | Pale Blue, Baby Blue |
When selecting complementary colors, consider both hue and shade. A bold copper brown works best with a softer sky blue, for example. Tweak the shade and saturation to find the perfect color balance.
Analogous colors are also very pleasing with red-toned browns. Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. They have similar undertones which tie everything together. Examples would be peach, burnt orange, olive green and slate blue.
Achieving color harmony takes some experimentation. But a good starting point is choosing complements and analogues for brown shades with red undertones. This creates beautiful, richly diverse color schemes.
Conclusion
Brown shades that have red undertones form a versatile category with many different hues ranging from warm russets to cool burgundies. The red tones bring visual interest, depth and vibrance to neutral brown palettes. They integrate beautifully in rustic, earthy or southwest themes. But also work well to provide bold contrast as color accents. With strong design potential, it’s easy to see why shades of brown with red undertones have such enduring popularity and appeal.
