Blue-green is a tranquil and refreshing color that evokes images of the sea and nature. When it comes to mixing paint colors to achieve a blue-green hue, there are a few different options you can try depending on the specific shade you are aiming for. In general, blue-green can be created by mixing a blue paint with either a green or yellow paint. The specific ratio of the two colors can be adjusted to create lighter, darker, more blue, or more green variations of blue-green.
Mixing Blue and Green
One of the most straightforward ways to make a blue-green color is to mix a blue paint with a green paint. Here are some examples of common blue and green paint combinations you can mix to achieve different shades of blue-green:
| Blue Paint | Green Paint | Resulting Blue-Green Shade |
| Phthalo blue | Sap green | Vibrant teal blue-green |
| Ultramarine blue | Viridian green | Bright emerald blue-green |
| Cobalt blue | Olive green | Muted blue-green gray |
As you can see, mixing a more vibrant, cooler blue with an earthy, warmer green typically results in a bright, jewel-tone type of blue-green. Using a duller, warm blue and an emerald green creates a cooler, fresher looking blue-green. And combining a grayish blue with an olive green makes for a more muted, grayish blue-green.
In terms of ratios, start with approximately equal parts blue and green paint. Adjust the ratio gradually based on the desired hue. Add more blue for a cooler, more blue-dominant color or extra green for a warmer, greener shade. Mix just a small amount at first on a palette until you achieve the exact blue-green you want, then mix up a larger batch using those same proportions.
Mixing Blue and Yellow
In painting, another way to make blue-green is by mixing a blue paint with yellow rather than green. When blue is mixed with the right yellow, it neutralizes the yellow undertones and desaturates the color towards a blue-green. Here are some example blue and yellow pairings:
| Blue Paint | Yellow Paint | Resulting Blue-Green Shade |
| Ultramarine blue | Cadmium yellow | Turquoise blue-green |
| Cerulean blue | Hansa yellow | Greenish robin’s egg blue |
| Prussian blue | Lemon yellow | Aqua green tinted blue |
The lemon yellow creates a very greenish aqua, the cadmium yellow makes a bolder turquoise, and the neutral Hansa yellow produces a subtler robin’s egg blue-green. As before, adjust the ratio based on how green or blue you want the end result to appear.
This technique works best with a more saturated primary yellow rather than an earthy greenish yellow like yellow ochre. The stronger yellow pigment is needed to properly neutralize and desaturate the blue. Avoid mixing a warm blue like ultramarine with a dull yellow like Naples yellow as this will just create a dull, muddy color rather than a bright blue-green.
Other Tips for Mixing Blue-Greens
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when mixing colors to create blue-green shades:
– Add a small amount of red or purple to make the blue-green more vibrant and jewel-toned. This brings richness to the color.
– Mix in a small amount of white or zinc white to lighten the blue-green into a pastel, minty shade.
– Incorporate a tiny bit of black or burnt umber to make the blue-green deeper and more grayed out.
– Use thicker paint applications and blend the colors together somewhat for subtle variations in hue.
– Glaze over another color with a blue-green wash to tint it towards a blue-green coloration.
– Use marine or aqua oil pastels or chalks for a quick way to lay down blue-green color.
– Look at color theory principles – colors opposite each other on the color wheel make lively, high-contrast combinations.
– Study photos of subjects like tropical fish, peacock feathers, green-glazed pottery, and blue-green minerals like turquoise to visualize the colors.
So in summary, the most basic way to mix a custom blue-green is with blue and green or blue and yellow paints. Adjust the ratio and experiment with different pigment combinations to achieve the exact sea glass, teal, aqua, or turquoise blue-green you envision. Taking the time to gradually mix and test out versions of blue-green will give you a nuanced ability to create any subtle variation you want.
Using a Blue-Green vs. Mixing One
Another option beyond mixing your own blue-green is to simply purchase a premade blue-green paint. There are many vivid and varied blue-green paint colors available from most major acrylic, oil, and watercolor brands. Some examples are:
– Pthalo Green-Blue – a very bright, intense turquoise
– Caribbean Green – a lighter, tropical aqua green
– Teal Blue – a rich, darker teal good for marine subjects
– Verdigris – a gray-toned, antique-looking blue-green
– Blue Green Shade – a versatile middle-of-the-road blue-green
The advantage of using a premixed blue-green paint is convenience – no need to manually combine multiple paints and test ratios to find the right hue. It also guarantees a consistent color every time.
However, mixing your own custom blue-green allows you to have more control and subtlety. You can tweak the color precisely based on your subject matter or color scheme needs. Mixing also helps in learning color theory and trains your eye to discern subtle hue and chroma variations. So both options – premade vs. mixed blue-greens – have their merits depending on your goals and preferences.
Uses for Blue-Green Color
Once you’ve created the perfect blue-green hue, there are limitless ways to utilize it in your artwork and designs:
– Painting water scenes – oceans, lakes, rivers
– Color schemes for bathrooms, kitchens, spas, pools
– Tropical motifs – parrots, foliage, beaches
– Ceramics, pottery, mosaic tiles
– Depicting gems and minerals – aquamarine, turquoise, malachite
– Fantasy art – mermaids, sea creatures, mythical places
– Logos and branding for relaxation, renewal, nature themes
– Accent colors for stationery, invitations, graphics
– Textiles – quilts, clothing, embroidery floss
– Photography backdrops, props, filters
– Themed events – luau party, beach vacation, sea voyage
– Origami, papercrafts, collage pieces
The tranquil, rejuvenating qualities of blue-green make it versatile for anything related to water, nature, tropics, and serenity. Keep in mind value contrast and color harmony principles when combining it with other colors. But overall, blue-green is an adaptable, mixable color that adds a fresh, cool energy to all kinds of artistic mediums and applications.
Conclusion
In summary, blue-green is attained by mixing blue and green or blue and yellow pigments. Adjusting the ratio results in an array of shades from teal to turquoise, aqua to emerald. Combining a vibrant blue with a highly saturated yellow makes for the most intense blue-greens. Mixing a grayer blue with an earthy green produces a more muted, olive-tinged color. Taking the time to test different color mixes gives the most control over the resulting blue-green hue. But premixed blue-green paints offer convenience and consistency. Blue-green has many uses in painting, design, and other media where its cool, tranquil qualities are desired. Whether mixing your own or using ready-made paint, blue-green is a versatile, refreshing color that evokes a sense of water, renewal, and restfulness.
