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How to Make Red Paint by Mixing Two Colours

Published: 30 May 2024 | Modified: 11 Sep 2025

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What shade of red evokes romance? Which hue captures passion or conveys strength? Red paint is a popular choice for adding vibrancy, energy, and mood to any room due to the range of emotions and meanings tied to various shades of red.

But with so many red paint options on the market, how do you narrow down the specific shade that will perfectly complement your space? The ability to mix custom red paint tones by hand gives you the creative liberty to fine-tune the exact shade your wall is longing for.

In this guide, we will walk through everything you need to know how to make red colour and matching basic paint pigments. Read on to learn insider tips from expert painters on how to make up the ideal red wall colours.

Nerolac Expert Tips For Perfect Red Wall Colours

Introduction to Red Colours

Why does red captivate us so much? These colours wield rare power, instantly conjuring vivid images, memories, and emotions.

Throughout history, the red colour has carried deep symbolic meaning cross-culturally, associated with concepts like passion, romance, anger, danger, vibrancy, luck, prosperity, and more.

Given red's strong psychological impact and cultural weight, choosing just the right red shade for your walls is significant. The perfect red speaks to your personality and sets the ideal mood for each space.

Understanding the Colours: Wheel and Primary Colours

Before diving into mixing paint, it helps to understand some basic colour theories. The colours wheel provides a valuable visual aid for grasping how colours relate to each other.

The colours wheel consists of primary colours (red, blue, and yellow), secondary colours (orange, green, and purple), and tertiary colours. On the wheel, complementary colours sit directly across from each other, while analogous colours sit side-by-side.

Notably, red is considered a primary colour in traditional colours theory. This means pure red can't be created by mixing other paint pigments. You must start with a red paint base.

However, you can lighten, darken, mute, and manipulate the red shade by adding complementary colours to it.

Mixing Primary Colours to Create Red: Step-by-Step Guide

While you can't gather red through mixing paint, you can mix custom red tones by adding dashes of primary colours to a red base. Here's a simple beginner's guide on how to make red colour:

Supplies Needed:

Red paint base (any shade)

Small containers for mixing

Yellow, blue, and white paint

Paintbrushes

Paint mixer stick

Step 1: Add a small amount of yellow paint to the red base. Mix thoroughly. The red will shift towards a warm, orangey red. Add more yellow to intensify an orange-red tone.

Step 2: Add a small amount of blue paint to the red base. Mix thoroughly. The red will shift towards a cool, purple red. Add more blue for a bold reddish-purple.

Step 3: Add a small amount of white paint to the red base. Mix thoroughly. The red will lighten towards pink. Add more white to create a pastel pink.

Step 4: Play with different ratio mixes, observing as complementary mixes mute the red while analogous mixes amplify intensity.

Step 5: Test your custom mixes on poster board before committing to wall colours. Allow to dry completely before evaluating the tone. Tweak mixes as needed.

And that's the basic technique on how do you make red colour. With this knowledge under your belt, let's explore some specific methods for achieving popular red paint shades.

Also Read: Red Paint Colours: Add The Positive Energy To Your Home

Adding White or Black to Adjust the Shade of Red Colour

When working with red paint how to make red colour by mixing two colours. The two of the most used mix-ins for adjusting shade are white and black. Here's how these darkeners and lighteners modify a red base:

White Colour:

Mixing white into red lightens the shade towards pink in proportion to the amount added. Adding just a touch of white lends a soft rosiness while maximizing white content shifts red to pastel pink.

Black Colour:

Mixing black into red darkens and mutes the shade towards brown in proportion to the amount added. A small dash lends a sophisticated wine red, while a higher black ratio produces deep burgundy or near-brown brick shades.

Also Read: Different Shades of Red Wall Paint Colour for Your Home

Tips for Achieving a Dark Red colours

First, start with a paint base already in a darker red family, such as oxblood, maroon, or crimson, as opposed to tomato red. Next, add small amounts of black paint, mixing thoroughly after each dash. Be patient, adding black incrementally until you match the desired richness of tone.

Finally, test your mix on a poster board, allowing it to fully dry before determining if you've hit the sweet spot or need to adjust. For bonus depth, consider a matte or velvety paint finish, which can intensify the sultry allure of how to make a dark red colour.

Experimenting with Different Shades and Tones of Red Colour

Ready to venture beyond basic red with daring, dramatic custom paint colours? Feel free to get creative with mixing!

Unexpected blend-ins like metallic, other strong pigments, or natural materials can yield incredible effects. Here are some ideas to try:

Mix in a tiny amount of gold, copper, or bronze paint for a glam metallic red wall

Layer silver cracking paint over the red base for an eye-catching, weathered finish

Incorporate a small sprinkle of coffee grounds for an earthy, organic look

Add a hint of purple for an electrifying reddish-magenta burst

Mix in a touch of green for an unexpected olive-red tone

Speciality finishes like crackle glazing, sponging, or colour washing can add captivating depth and texture to painted walls, including red walls.

Don't limit yourself to plain matte red! Dare to experiment with adventurous mixes and techniques until you unearth your signature red.

Also Read: Red Colour Combinations and Photos

Using Natural Ingredients to Create Red Dye for Walls

For the ultimate organic red wall colours, consider naturally dyeing your walls red with pigments extracted from plants, fruits, and spices.

Boiling or soaking ingredients like beets, cherries, pomegranate skins, red onion skins, and red cabbage yields a vivid natural dye bath for staining walls red, minus harsh chemicals. You can even transform turmeric, paprika, safflower, and hibiscus flowers into gorgeous red dyes using homemade mordants.

Conclusion: How to Make Red Colour by Mixing Two Colours?

Red paint can be mixed with other colours to create endless possibilities of shades and tones. While grey and white walls are popular, a bold red wall can bring drama and passion to your space. Take your time to mix and experiment until you find the perfect hue that matches your personality and style. Feel free to try new mixtures in the future as your taste changes. Custom paint can open up a world of colourful and creative options for your home.

Nerolac Paints, a leading paint company in India offers a wide range of wall paint colours & painting services & solutions for homes & offices.

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