Week 2 of Color Theory Watercolor
- Jennica Thurgood
- Apr 21
- 1 min read
Color mixing is a fundamental skill in watercolor painting because it helps artists create a broader, palette using just a few colors. By learning to mix colors, artists gain a deeper understanding of how pigments interact-resulting in more harmonious, intentional, and expressive work. It encourages creative exploration, prevents over-reliance on pre-mixed
paints, and builds confidence in color choices. Most importantly, it allows painters to develop their own unique color voice and achieve the subtle variations in tone, temperature, and mood that bring a painting to life.
How to Create a Color Chart
1- Label the row and column starting in
the upper left corner and working your
way out with the same color order.
2- Start with the diagonal: paint each
square with the pure color (no mixing).
3-Then fill in the squares by mixing the
two intersecting colors.
-Mix on a palette, not directly in the
squares.
-Use similar ratios (50/50) for even
comparisons.
Please note that the top triangle and the bottom triangle will be the same. To add interest I like to do a lighter value in the bottom triangle, but there is essentially the same colors.
Another option is to try layering the colors instead of mixing them and see if you notice a difference. If you choose this option, you will have to wait for each layer to dry.
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