How to Mix Deep Blue

You can achieve a deeper shade of blue simply by mixing your existing blue with another color. Once you understand the fundamentals of color blending, you'll gain endless possibilities to enhance any creation. There are numerous colors you can mix into blue to achieve a darker hue. Carefully combine one of the following colors with blue, and you'll have control over crafting the perfect deep blue for your masterpiece.

Apply a sufficient amount of blue paint to your palette. Make sure to take enough paint to complete all areas that require the deep blue shade, as once you've created the perfect hue, it will be difficult to replicate it exactly. It's better to have more than less.

• If you don't finish your project in one go, you can store the remaining paint in a sealed container, like a plastic food storage box.
• Consider placing a damp paper towel or wet sponge at the bottom of the container, or using a Sta-Wet Palette to keep the paint moist.

Squeeze a small amount of black next to the blue on your palette. Avoid placing black directly on top of the blue. By positioning the black next to the blue, you can gradually add the black in small amounts, giving you more control over the depth of the shade.

Transfer a small amount of black into the blue using your brush, dragging it from the edge of the black drop. Be careful not to use too much black at once. Black is very intense, so just a little is enough to create a noticeable effect.

Mix black into the blue a little at a time. Use a mixing tool or brush to blend the colors together, making diagonal strokes back and forth. You don't need to mix thoroughly; sometimes, over-mixing can dull the color. Just mix enough to achieve the desired tone.

Continue adding black if needed until you reach the desired deep blue shade. This may require repeating the process a few times, but make sure to add small amounts at a time so the blue doesn't become too dark for your liking.

• If you've accidentally mixed too much black, you can balance the color by adding more blue.

Draw the color wheel on paper. The color wheel showcases primary colors such as red, yellow, and blue, along with other colors created by mixing these primary colors. Some color wheels only feature primary and secondary colors. It's best to use a color wheel that includes various shades, tones, and hues.

Locate the position of your blue color on the color wheel. To find the appropriate complementary color, identify the exact placement of your blue on the wheel. Don't judge the tone by its name alone. Apply the color on a white piece of paper, let it dry, and then compare it to the wheel to pinpoint the exact location.

Identify the complementary orange hue that matches your blue tone. The complementary color will be directly opposite your blue on the color wheel. This will be an orange shade that can mix with the blue to create a deeper blue tone.

• Start with a dark brown-red (Burnt Sienna) mixed with deep blue (Ultramarine Blue).
• Another option is combining cadmium orange (Cadmium Orange) with cobalt blue (Cobalt Blue).

Place an adequate amount of blue paint on your palette. It's better to mix too much than too little, as running out of paint will make it difficult to recreate the exact color again.

• Save a little blue paint in case you mix too much orange and need to adjust the color by adding more blue.

Place a small amount of orange paint next to the blue on your palette. It's best to place the orange next to the blue so you can gradually mix small amounts. You'll need enough orange to mix, but not as much as the blue.

Use a brush or palette knife to pull a small amount of orange from the outer edge into the blue. Be sure not to add too much orange at first. By adding orange in small amounts, you'll be able to observe how the shade of blue changes gradually.

Blend the orange into the blue. Use a palette knife or brush to mix the orange into the blue, moving it in a crisscross pattern. The complementary color mixed with blue can result in a vivid, deep blue, so avoid over-mixing. Just mix enough to assess the shade of the color without making it dull.

Continue adding small amounts of orange until you achieve the desired blue shade. Avoid mixing a large amount of orange all at once. If the orange overtakes the blue, the resulting color will lean more toward an orange hue rather than a deep blue. Keep adding small amounts of orange and evaluate until the perfect shade of blue is achieved.

• If you accidentally add too much orange, you can balance the ratio by adding more blue to the mix.

Place a small amount of blue and purple on your mixing palette. Purple is analogous to blue, positioned next to blue on the color wheel. Make sure to use an adequate amount of paint. Since blue is the base, you will need more blue than purple for mixing.

Mix a small amount of purple into the initial blue. You can use a brush or palette knife to blend. Add purple gradually to the blue to control the color combination and create a blue-purple shade.

Test the color. Many paints, including acrylics, darken as they dry. Acrylic paints dry quickly, so you can easily test the color by swiping a small amount onto your canvas and letting it dry. The drying time may take longer than 15 minutes. This will allow you to see the final color before using it in your artwork.

• If you're not satisfied with the dried color, return to the mixing palette and adjust by adding more blue or purple.

• Keep your mixing palette clean after use and color mixing.
• Work under proper lighting to ensure you're achieving the desired color, no matter the technique you're using.

• Always work in a well-ventilated area when mixing and using paint.
• It can be difficult to mix the exact color again if you're not experienced, so it's important to get the color right the first time. With more experience, you'll find it easier to recreate colors through practice and refining your eye for detail.

• Palette (artist’s mixing palette, old lid of a jar, plate, etc.)
• Palette knife, craft stick, etc.
• Paint