Colour mixing basics - Acrylic painting technique to match a colour

[@janey4319]

Out of all the videos I watched about this, this one was all I really needed. It shows the process without talking down to me and it is right to the point! Excellent explanation!

[@willkempartschool]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bradvincent6960]

From my experience working with a lot of students and artists, I have met a FEW that just seem to be able to mix the exact colour right off. It is just an inborn talent. My current art teacher will look at a colour and tell me what to use to mix it. She is dead on every time. When I ask "How do you know this?" She replies "I just know. Always have, since I was a young child. I have no explanation for this talent."

[@malazkarar1171]

Yeah, your teacher is a brilliant artist, not so much a brilliant teacher. If you had a better teacher you will, at least, know their method enough to describe it; ideally, you should be able to apply it too. I Hope you found a better mentor that knows how to bridge the gap between his and your skill. Sorry for the tone. Bad teachers kill curiosity and potential by obscuring information and making you doubt your intelligence. If you don't understand a teacher, chances are your teacher is lacking in communication skills and maybe even patience sometimes. Don't doubt yourself and good luck!

[@incaseinever]

Like a top chefs taste pallet...they just know the ingredients

[@JohnSmith-uz9pj]

Will, thank you so much for the videos. I've been struggling with understanding many of the acrylic concepts, but you've really helped. Please post more videos, ranging from painting with limited palette, wet on wet blending, and dry brushing, etc. Again, thank you.

[@willkempartschool]

Glad you've been enjoying them John Will

[@willkempartschool]

Yes colour mixing can be tricky, glad the video helped! Will

[@akshz.413]

Yes, even after 12 years, this helped me a lot Today 🙌🏻

[@willownely]

I always struggle mixing colors accurately to a reference, my dad is a painter too and whenever i watch him paint i always wonder how he mix colors so easily and care free haha :D I am just starting to practice acrylic painting and thanks for this video it's so helpful + straight to the point!! :)

[@rebeccaelliott4332]

Thanks Will. I teach painting and drawing but love the way you explain things so clearly. Very very helpful.

[@willkempartschool]

+Rebecca Elliott Really pleased you found it helpful Rebecca. Cheers, Will

[@TheRachel3131]

we don't need to buy every shade of colour out there we just need the three basic primary colors to work with! thank you for this I learned some things

[@willkempartschool]

Hi Nancy, It all depends on the target colour, for example, you won't be able to mix a bright cyan using theses 3 primaries. The colours you mention above are good choices, have a look on my website for an article on 'Basic Beginners Palette'. Cheers, Will

[@jenzdelight]

I've found it useful to play with every single tube of paint I own and keeping a record of the variety of combinations... That way I can go back to it as needed.

[@kellybuck133]

Will, thank you for the videos! I'm picking up a brush again after 40 years and these videos really help!

[@willkempartschool]

Great to hear!

[@DrLumpyDMus]

Thanks! Nice, non-distracting music. Thummuped☺

[@shakilasharmin935]

What is the name of ur mixing tool I can't find it anywhere

[@gila1959]

Shakila Sharmin painter’s knife

[@angelalisf]

Do you recommend using these three particular colors as primaries for starters? I'm having trouble deciding which red, yellow and blue colors to use. Thanks!

[@Ciaran55]

just the sort of video I need,,, I'd like to see one with lots of colours that are to be matched; that'd be really useful

[@KaustavMukherjeeFineArt]

This is what most people fails to do. they get confused about values and tone. great topic.

[@willkempartschool]

Yes, you can tone down any colour with it's complement, burnt umber is essentially in the orange family of colours so a blue would be it's compliment. In this case this would result in a very dark black. Thanks, Will

[@josephlowry4320]

Awesome Willkempartschool that was amazing tip about when we are using orange for painting.

[@qwemlhjsi4386]

Very helpful resource! I was a bit confused with how complementary colors were used and needed a rudimentary understanding of it. Thank you!

[@willkempartschool]

Hi DJSHADDY, thanks for the comment, glad to hear you are enjoying the videos, Will

[@jenzdelight]

I found this to be exceptional in learning colour mixing. Many thanks Will. 🎉❤

[@willkempartschool]

You're very welcome!

[@jlgage]

This is a really helpful video. I'm just beginning acrylics after ten years of watercolours, so I've had to go back to basics!

[@willkempartschool]

Glad it was helpful!

[@donna1390]

Just found you, and have learnt so much. Thank you. I will binge watch your videos now.

[@willkempartschool]

Glad you like them!

[@plastya]

Thank you for the lesson!! Do you have some tips about what primary colours should we use (should i take red hue/carmin/, or lemon / yellow medium)?

[@ChrisWarr-p4f]

Love this video , it shows just what one has to do to get it right .Thank you .

[@willkempartschool]

Just click the read more under the video to see a full list of colours, Cheers, Will

[@Doris-y5v]

why my colours turn out differently once is painted, at first on the preparation bowl is ready to what I want but when is painted after is dried is different ??

[@manikhands6489]

I really REALLY wish you still made these videos!

[@willkempartschool]

Glad you've been enjoying them Manik, Will

[@NeonBlockHead]

Will water work with acrylic for blending colors together? I wanna try to blend some colors together but to scared I'm gonna mess up.

[@NanaBowana]

This is super helpful for mixing paint to match fabrics for cosplay!

[@JuniorSantiago3x]

good color mixing explanation, but what kind of colors are you using ? what kind of yellow ? what kind of blue ?

[@willkempartschool]

You're Welcome, Will

[@lilmady23]

The thing I really want to know is what are the acrylic colours you suggest for every acrylic painter to have? I know that may be a long list... Anyone know at least for one colour (example all necessary yellows)?

[@coreafan]

great tutorial, but iwonder wich surface are you mixing on ...

[@willkempartschool]

coreafan It's a tear-off disposable palette. cheers, Will

[@willkempartschool]

Yes, acrylics blend with water, go for it! Will

[@sumba1231]

Nice tutorials, i am starting acrylic painting. I am good at pencil drawings (graphite) but am starting this as part time. most probably i would watch all ur videos but its better if you can classify videos to stage 1 , stage 2 or different levels of drawing skills so that we people like us come to your channel it would be very easy for us to choose the category.Thanks a lot.

[@StarsandCastles]

What kind of paper are you using to mix the colours on? I have a plastic palette put my paint dries way too quickly.

[@suzannewithers8093]

How do you know where to start with warm or cool of a colour?

[@Lamrabetnouha]

Thank you so much for this vid! It's exactly what I've been looking for ^^

[@willkempartschool]

Glad I could help!

[@nancymaewi]

Will your method work with any set of primaries? How about cad yellow med, Alizeron Crimson and U/M Blue...how do you know what combinations of primaries to use? Thank you for this video. It was very informative!

[@MassiveKreutz]

Hi, I have a problem. So I manage to get the color I want, but one of the following three things happen to ruin it: - I end up with a huuuuge amount of that color because I keep adding and adding - There's barely enough for one or to strokes of paint... - ...or it's actually already dried up. Can't find anything about the AMOUNT of paint I should mix... help :/

[@safeeyab6291]

I have a bag that has stains and this is so helpful!

[@sarahfauset]

Can you do a video on how to make a bright orange?

[@josephlowry4320]

I watch your other videos in the past and they are very useful.

[@willkempartschool]

That's great to hear Joseph

[@josephlowry4320]

Yep just like Bob Ross if you heard of him?

[@maryamnoor8741]

What paint did you use? I want to try acrylic paint and read that it dries so quickly that you don't even get enough time to mix colors , does it really dry that quick ? Please reply , I need some tips. I am starting to paint after so many years. )

[@Senor_Mogly]

Just started painting and this video help so much

[@willkempartschool]

Fantastic Moises, so glad you enjoyed it. Will

[@willkempartschool]

@email16v Thanks very much, hope it's helped your colour mixing. Will

[@drgnej]

HI Will: thanks for the videos, they are really useful. If I might make a suggestion, it would be that you should credit the music (performer, composer, CD) you are using with perhaps a link to where the musician's web site is, or to their youtube videos. Cheers.

[@DJSHADDY2K7]

NIc i live haft way around that world and you skill are true need on this web sit.

[@celiayounger7739]

HOW can I get a list of these primary + secondary and.....colors and their mixtures if they are not a pure color? can i get it in the store? or how can i find it in the internet? ( I mean what should i look for? - since English is not my primary language, I don't know how to look for it. if it exist )

[@marcialsblendshair6088]

Awesome video!!!!!

[@Hakimhasen-qd4is]

I like your painting

[@non-cg3rf]

Hello will. Just discovered your channel. What do you suggest to beginners for ideas? And what surface were you mixing the paint in? Thanks.

[@willkempartschool]

Hi Chitra, I'm mixing the paints onto a 'tear-off palette.' In terms of subjects I would start with whatever you're drawn to, if you like landscapes, start with that, if still life, a simple single object. You'll learn by starting painting any subject, but you'll persevere more when it's a subject you're passionate about. Cheers, Will

[@non-cg3rf]

+willkempartschool thanks a lot. I really love your videos. We have nothing like it in India. But I am hoping that we would soon. Thanks for tips. 😊

[@adamonline45]

Why mix in the complement and not, say, black? Just found you, binging on your videos :) Thanks!

[@parvaiznaseem8831]

Wonderful Tutorial!!

[@Kamakshiworldofcolors]

Thanks for sharing, can you please share the name of the acrylics u are using ?

[@willkempartschool]

Hi Kamakshi, the colours used are: Cadmium Yellow (light) Cadmium Red (Light) Ultramarine Blue

[@varmelith8941]

To add darkness, how would we know if it's better to use blue than black? (or dark brown)

[@willkempartschool]

If you want to decrease colour saturation add black, darken towards a cool tone, add blue, darken towards a warm tone add brown. Hope this helps, Cheers, Will

[@varmelith8941]

Thanks ! yes it helps

[@claudinevandamme4809]

Thank you ..I was struggling to make this color. ..well explained. Thanks

[@willkempartschool]

My pleasure Claudine. Will

[@annewatman677]

The problem I'm having is knowing which yellow, red and blue. I can see that the yellow tends towards green, and I'm guessing it's a blue red, so probably a red blue? Maybe this is discussed in another video because I know those things are important in getting the right mix.

[@cherylvargas9228]

This was brilliant! Thank you so much.

[@willkempartschool]

My pleasure Cheryl, pleased you found it helpful. Will

[@yameenkhan285]

Nice

[@zaidatamrawt3898]

Thanks a lot! Interesting video

[@eduskateacademy4844]

great video thank you

[@kathiwright4849]

Thank you! I enjoy your skills!

[@willkempartschool]

Glad you liked it Kathi

[@jdm993]

What surface do you mix your paints? I can't find a surface to mix.

[@willkempartschool]

It's called a 'tear-off palette-

[@jdm993]

@@willkempartschool thank you so much☺️

[@NPurvis7622]

This was great. I was trying to make a color wheel before this for class, and this showed all my errors. It is a shame my teacher didn't teach us about using the yellow to lighten the others to darken. =/

[@Didleeios88]

How do you keep your paint from drying as you mix it?

[@willkempartschool]

Mainly the volume of the paint used.

[@sofiaceleste6299]

Saludos,eres un gran maestro, gracias!!😀😀😀😀

[@amarlene94]

Actually really helpful. Thank you

[@jonathanmcveigh8238]

Brilliant, thank you for sharing

[@rohitdulgach8067]

how to make ginger root colour

[@annab6453]

Where are you mixing the colors on? Do you use to mix colors on a paper?

[@willkempartschool]

It's a tear-off mixing palette. Cheers, Will

[@mariiris1403]

Of course you won't be able to mix a bright cyan... because that is a primary colour! Your choice of Ultramarine blue, Will, is very far from being a primary colour. I can be used to mix a lot of nice colours, but not a bright green, since it has red in it. The primary colours are: Yellow, cyan and magenta. Even though you normally won't work with pure magenta and cyan, it's good to know.

[@gabriele2405]

straight to the point! thanks

[@howphancy]

What are you mixing the colors on, paper?

[@anumehta8011]

Jenn T i too want to know

[@MsRafanatic]

He says it's a tear off mixing pallete.

[@TheWarbonnet660]

My only issue is that my paint drys darker than when it’s wet, so it’s a gamble if I can actually color match it

[@willkempartschool]

If you’re having issues with colour shift you could try the Winsor and newton professional range. They use a clear, transparent binder (most manufacturers use a white acrylic binder) so there is a very minimal shift from wet to dry.

[@DummyForceRed]

I'm so clueless when it comes to mixing the right tones TT_TT So you tone down any colour, with it's compliment? I remember seeing you use burnt umber for that. What works best with burnt umber?

[@cdorothy444]

Yes, compliment colors are opposite in the color wheel. Brown is a tone down version of orange, so blue is the compliment of brown.

[@cdorothy444]

Burnt umber mix to black with ultramarine blue

[@cdorothy444]

So its complimentary

[@fe3613]

3:42 how did you know what color to use to lighten the value? I get that yellow is close to orange and lighter, but would white have been more ideal, since it wouldn't change the hue?

[@willkempartschool]

Or would it? adding white will always cool a hue, so on this occasion when working with a warm target colour a lighter value yellow would be the best choice. Cheers, Will

[@RababaInc]

My color is already dry when I'm done mixing :( how do you keep it workable?

[@rajireddyvanteru9060]

How to get coffee Colour

[@bengun1071]

I bought the expensive liquitex artist colours. My problem is 3 to 4 minutes later the paints on the palette start forming "skin" and the paint on my brush starts becoming a blob. What do I do? I can't paint in less than 5 minutes!

[@willkempartschool]

Hi Ben, try putting out a larger blob of paint that you need as the extra volume can really help to extend the drying time, if you're still struggling you can use a stay-wet palette. Cheers, Will

[@elfiewilkins6639]

Ben You may not get this since your question was so long ago. In any case to keep Acrylic wet longer I spray them with some water occasionally.

[@nublex]

very nice. i like.

[@saraabboud2368]

thanks that helped a lot !!

[@willkempartschool]

Glad it helped!

[@non-cg3rf]

Hello Will again 😓. Sorry to bother you again and again but other than mixing the paints , what else does that craft knife thing function for. ( sorry new to all this. And not familiar to anyone one of the tools ) ;)

[@non-cg3rf]

Oh and I just saw a video called " artist draws famous logos by hand" can you tell what kind of brush he used. Thanks a ton.

[@MsRafanatic]

AFAIK the palette knife can also be used to paint. It's mostly used in abstract painting where it can produce certain textures that might be difficult to do with a brush.

[@samanthamacmillian8837]

When I mix colours they don't look right I'm struggling to get the right colours like a apple /any fruit my greens are terrible can you help I'm a biginers thanks

[@willkempartschool]

+samantha macmillian Hi Samantha have a look at my 'How to Mix Green' video that goes through different intensities of green and how to mix it. Cheers, Will

[@nicki924]

What're you mixing on?

[@willkempartschool]

It's called a 'tear-off' palette. Cheers, Will

[@theodoreholland7781]

thanks, tint-ability all of a sudden clicked as not so much the base value but original color ability.

[@soybrianbro9287]

Very helpful!

[@willkempartschool]

Good one SoyBrianBro, pleased you've found it helpful for your paintings. Will

[@bdml77]

Awesome

[@lightcardsatlisas3932]

Nice one

[@sakshigusain004]

so helpful tip thank u

[@Colorado18]

thank you

[@FranciscoHernandez-cu2zu]

How do I make desert sand color paint

[@willkempartschool]

yellow ochre is a good base colour to start with

[@PatMcDonald41]

Excellent ...

[@cheryls_creative7048]

Thank you!

[@doudisakker7183]

Thank you 😍💓💓💓💓

[@margaretbutters6181]

thankyou

[@WalnutsWasTaken]

No matter what I do, I always end up with the same brown :(

[@ioncekilledamanwithmyshoe]

It’s probably because you’re adding the complimentary colours to each other.

[@willkemp8561]

Are so pleased to hear it

[@sarahkamal5046]

Who came here because of iris aka literature child?

[@emmabaehr9860]

ME

[@E-Kat]

Sarah kamal ??

[@रमेशशर्मा-ड2घ]

Red+black+trkyamber-

[@innocentmlacha7493]

By using machine

[@ManjuSingh-lj9mq]

rudra

[@ravindradas5636]

Nice video Hindi me vejen

[@Nails_by_Tonegel]

That was so helpful♥♥