I LOVE colour. I love spreading colours around, and mixing colours to see what unexpected blends can be created.
But I didn't always know how to blend colours. And I was often afraid of wasting paint, or making mud, or some ugly colour that I didn't want or like. The fear even extended into thinking that I could ruin my art, wasting the time I had put into it. ...a bit extreme, I know. And yet, I also know that you may be able to relate.
Here's the thing...it's not about remembering the recipes and mixing perfect blends all the time. It's not about knowing what exact colours mix to create specific custom colours. It's not about doing it right, and it's certainly not possible to do it wrong.
Colour mixing is about experimentation and play. It's about understanding JUST enough to know where to start, or if you get something undesirable, knowing what to change on your next attempt. Mostly, it's about having your own process, and becoming intimately comfortable with your supplies. Feeling free to venture into unknown palettes in search of your next favourite colour.
Colour mixing can also be relaxing, calming, grounding. For me, it can be a method of meditation or mindfulness, and it definitely falls under the umbrella of Intentional Creativity. Because sometimes when I'm stressed or stuck in analysis paralysis and overthinking, if I pull out a mixing chart, grab my paints, and go with it, all the problems melt away, and I can even receive a potential solution to a "problem" I've been working on, simply by allowing my mind some white space. I am hopeful that with these templates, you can create your own process, both for future reference for your art, and also so that you may enjoy some ease in the flow of mixing colour. Letting go of expectations. Just experimenting.
Mixing Tutorials
How to draw a mixing wheel
In this video I will show you how to draw your own mixing wheel. You will need a pencil, a compass, a protractor, a straight edge (eg ruler), and watercolour paper of your choosing.
You may also want a permanent black marker or pen, but that is optional.
using your mixing wheel
Once you have a mixing wheel, it's time to get out your paint and water, and mix your colours, to begin to experience the range of colour you can create with this basic set of 6.
This demo uses the Split Primaries Mixing Set of watercolour paint. You can apply this process to any colours and any type of paint moving forward, to experiment and test what you can create with what you have!
Expanding your Colours
Here you will see an example of how to extend your colour palette even further, by leaning into colour bias, and neutralizing vibrant colours to make more natural tones and gorgeous shadows.
It's all about having a map to play and experiment with. Use your colours and see what magic you can create!
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