How to Mix Acrylic Paints: A Simple Guide for Beginners

At Nexton Crafts, we meet many artists—students, hobbyists, and professionals—who ask the same question:

“How do I mix acrylic paints to get the right color?”

Whether you’re painting on canvas at home or learning in our shop at Old Mutual Building, Kimathi Street, 2nd Floor, Room 225, this simple guide will help you confidently mix acrylic paints and expand your color possibilities.

Comfort & Ease

Acrylic Paint Mixing Tips for Beginners

• Always mix paints on a palette before applying to canvas

• Test colors on scrap paper or canvas

• Acrylic paint dries slightly darker

• Clean brushes between colors for accurate mixing

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Creating Muted and Neutral Colors

Muted and neutral colors are essential for shadows and natural tones.

To achieve them:

• Mix complementary colors (opposite colors on the color wheel)

Examples:

• Yellow + Purple

• Blue + Orange

• Red + Green

 

How to Make Shades (Darker Colors) in Acrylic Paints

To darken a color and create shades:

• Add a small amount of black, or

• Mix in darker tones like burnt umber or ultramarine blue

Using darker hues instead of black helps maintain richness and depth in acrylic paintings.

1. Start with Primary Colors

The foundation of all color mixing begins with primary colors.

Traditional Primary Colors:

• Red

• Yellow

• Blue

For Brighter, Modern Results:

• Cyan

• Magenta

• Yellow

Using just these three colors, you can create almost every color you need—saving money and improving your understanding of color theory.

2. Creating Secondary Colors

Secondary colors are made by mixing two primary colors together.

• Red + Yellow = Orange

• Blue + Yellow = Green

• Red + Blue = Purple

Tip: Start with small amounts and mix gradually to avoid wasting paint.

3. Mixing Tertiary Colors

Tertiary colors are created by mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color on the color wheel.

Examples:

• Yellow + Green = Yellow-Green

• Blue + Purple = Blue-Purple

• Red + Orange = Red-Orange

These colors add depth and realism to your artwork, especially in landscapes and portraits.

4. Making Tints (Lighter Colors)

To create lighter versions of any color:

• Add white to your mixed color

This produces soft pastel shades, perfect for:

• Highlights

• Sky tones

• Floral paintings

👉 Always add white slowly—it’s very powerful.

5. Creating Shades (Darker Colors)

To darken a color:

• Add a tiny amount of black, or

• Use a darker hue like burnt umber or ultramarine blue

⚠️ Use black sparingly—it can easily overpower your color and make it look flat.

6. Muted & Neutral Colors

Muted or neutral colors are essential for realistic art.

To create them:

• Mix complementary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel)

Examples:

• Yellow + Purple

• Blue + Orange

• Red + Green

These mixtures are perfect for shadows, backgrounds, skin tones, and natural scenes.

Final Tips for Acrylic Paint Mixing

• Always mix colors on a palette, not directly on the canvas

• Keep a scrap paper or canvas for testing colors

• Acrylic paint dries darker—mix slightly lighter than needed

• Clean brushes between colors for accurate results

Visit Nexton Crafts

Looking for quality acrylic paints, canvases, brushes, and art supplies?

Visit us at:

📍 Nexton Crafts

Old Mutual Building, Kimathi Street

2nd Floor, Room 225

We’re always happy to guide you—whether you’re just starting or refining your skills.

🎨 Create more. Experiment freely. Let color lead your art.