How to Mix Turquoise Color

Determine the Desired Shade of Turquoise. When we think of 'turquoise', the image of a bright, vibrant blue-green often comes to mind, with blue as the dominant color. However, turquoise can be mixed in different shades: adding a drop of white or gray creates a lighter, softer turquoise, while blending blue, green, and a touch of yellow can make the turquoise more vivid. Consider whether you want a bold or more subdued turquoise tone.

Purchase Blue and Green Paints. The type of paint isn't too critical – acrylic, oil, watercolor, etc. – but using two paints of the same type will blend more smoothly when mixed. You can find paints in art supply stores or purchase them online. Be sure to look closely: you might find pre-mixed turquoise paint that suits your needs. If mixing your own, you can use a bit of blue, green, white, or yellow to create the turquoise with the shade you want.

• If you're new to painting, start with acrylic paint. Acrylics are easy to use and mix, and you can buy small, affordable tubes.
• If shopping at an art supply store, ask staff for advice on which blue and green paints mix well to create turquoise. They may suggest ideal shades, but it’s important to know which shades you want.

Buy White and/or Yellow Paint to Create a Lighter Shade. If you want a lighter, softer turquoise, mix blue and green with white or yellow. The exact tone of the white or yellow largely depends on personal preference, so choose one that fits the mood and feel you're aiming for. For instance, you might opt for a warm ivory to depict the turquoise water on a tropical beach scene, or a colder, more ‘artificial’ white for a distant, icy turquoise planet.

Use a Blue with a Hint of Green. Try using light blue, cobalt blue, sky blue, or any shade of blue that leans more towards green than purple. Every pigment contains a subtle mix of other colors, meaning each shade can blend harmoniously with certain other hues. Essentially, turquoise is a blend of blue and green, so using a blue that already has green undertones will work best. You can tell the undertone of a color just by observing it: if a blue has a greenish tint, it’s more green, while if it leans purple, it’s more red.

• Dark blue and green are the most commonly used colors to mix turquoise. Dark blue contains a lot of green, making it ideal for mixing turquoise. Many paint brands produce dark blue shades.
• Blue contains both red and green undertones. If a blue leans towards green, it contains more green than red. Other blues (like violet) lean more red, so they aren’t ideal for making turquoise.
• You won’t find a ‘pure’ blue; blue always leans towards either red or green because of the impure nature of the pigment.

Prepare Blue and Green Paints. Place a small amount of light blue on one side of the palette and squeeze a bit of green on the other side. Alternatively, you can mix blue and green on the same spot.

• If you don't have green, mix blue and yellow gradually to create it.
• If you don’t have a professional palette, use any clean, dry surface to mix your paints. Try using a plate, paper, cardboard, or a tile. Just make sure not to use any valuable surfaces for mixing.

Mix a 2:1 Ratio of Blue to Green. Turquoise has more blue pigment than green. Feel free to experiment with different ratios, but the basic ratio is 2 parts blue to 1 part green.

• If you increase the amount of green slightly (e.g., a 2:1.5 ratio), you'll get a turquoise with a deeper blue-green hue. Using less green (a ratio less than 2:1) will result in a color closer to blue.
• Consider adding a small amount of yellow for a brighter hue. Try mixing yellow with blue in a 1:5 or 1:6 ratio, or blend it with your blue-green mixture.
• If the mixture turns out too dark, add a little white to lighten and soften the turquoise.

Mix the Paint. Using a paintbrush, place a drop of green paint on your palette, then add two drops of blue. Continue mixing the two colors until they combine thoroughly. The blue should blend with the green to create a distinct turquoise color.

• Be sure to mix enough paint for your project – it's better to have extra paint. If you run out of paint while working, it will be difficult to match the same ratio, and the turquoise might not be consistent.

Keep Mixing Until Satisfied. Once the colors are mixed into a smooth, consistent blend, check if the turquoise shade matches what you’re aiming for. Test the paint on your canvas – colors often change slightly once applied. If you're not happy with the result, continue adding small amounts of blue, green, yellow, or white until you achieve the exact shade of turquoise you want.

Start Painting. Once you've created the right turquoise color, you can start painting. Make sure the turquoise is exactly the shade you want. While you can use the same brush you used to mix, it's a good idea to clean it first to ensure accuracy. If you need more turquoise, remember to mix the same blue-to-green ratio as before.

• If you need to add more turquoise mid-painting and can't match the ratio exactly, consider mixing a large batch of the new shade and painting over all the existing color to create a uniform tone.

Use white as your base color. If you want to mix a very light turquoise, start with white or a very pale light blue. White will make up the majority of your color mixture, so ensure you have enough white, or a bit more than you think you’ll need. Consider using off-white or light gray to achieve a slightly darker tone.

Mix the colors. Try using a ratio of 2:1:4, corresponding to blue:green:white. There is no exact formula for creating light turquoise, so you’ll have to experiment to find your perfect ratio. Start by adding a few drops of blue and green into the white, and mix until you achieve a consistent color. If you want the turquoise to be darker or lighter, adjust the amounts of blue or white accordingly. If you decide to add more colors, remember to note down the exact ratio.

• Remember that you can always tweak the color ratio before you begin painting. Make sure you’re completely satisfied with the shade before you start your artwork.
• Make enough color to complete your project. It can be tricky to match a mixed color later on if you run out in the middle of your painting.

Paint. Once you’re happy with the light turquoise you’ve mixed, you can begin painting. Apply the color to your chosen surface and enjoy the vibrant hue you’ve just created!

• To create a light turquoise, add a small amount of blue and green to white.
• You can also create turquoise by mixing a little yellow with blue. A ratio of 1:6 or 1:5 might yield a pleasant result.
• Turquoise is generally considered a cool color. You can use it to achieve a soothing effect.
• You can adjust the depth of the color by changing the ratio. Start with the basic ratio of 2:1 (two parts blue to one part green) and keep experimenting.

• Some colors are more intense than others. If your first attempt at mixing colors doesn’t turn out as expected, add green or yellow to your blue, or mix more blue into the blend until you reach your desired shade. If the green or yellow becomes too intense, start again with blue and add a bit of the previous mix to achieve balance.
• Most paints can stain clothes and surfaces. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and protect your work surface with newspaper or cloth coverings.

• Paintbrush
• Blue paint (light blue with a hint of green) (Other shades of blue may create darker, muted colors).
• Yellow and/or green paint (brighter greens will result in a lighter turquoise, while darker greens will give a deeper turquoise).
• A color palette to separate your paints.
• Canvas or paper.
• A cup of water for mixing water-based paints (or for diluting other paints).
• Clothing that you don’t mind getting stained.
• Newspaper or cloth to protect your work surface.