How to Mix Greens (Part One): Two-Colour Mixing

Here is another of my colour mixing reference videos, this time focusing on mixing Greens, specifically blue-greens (see Part Two for yellow-greens). Using two-colour mixing I show you how to achieve clean, subtle variations of viridian green, although the principles apply to any green of course. By following the two-colour mixing method you will develop complete control over the colours you mix.

The mixes I show you are:
0:00 Intro to mixing blue-greens
1:06 Mix 1: emerald green and cerulean blue
1:45 Mix 2: emerald green and cobalt blue
2:05 Mix 3: permanent green and cobalt blue
3:20 Mix 4: permanent green and ultramarine blue
4:10 Mix 5: lemon yellow and ultramarine blue

As always I use the principles of two-color mixing:
- I arrange my paints according to the 'Color Line' (see my 'Practical Color Theory' video for more detail)
- I identify where the color I want to mix sits on the Color Line
- I don't use the color itself, but pick one color from either side on the line
- I darken the color by moving further away on one side or the other - I don't use black
- I only use white to lighten a mix
- I add small amounts of paint at a time
- I keep my knife/brush clean

If you have any questions about what I am doing, please ask in the comments which I review regularly. And please don't forget to subscribe!

[raquelmacfarlane]

Finally, someone simplify color mixing & demonstrates the how/why color changes once applying to canvas.…thanks Ian…please come back to doing YouTube 🙏💖 USA 🇺🇸

[wendyjackson]

Lovely colours .Must try them out on latest project with fantasy trees. WJ.

[melhaslam]

Great stuff. Greens are tricky. Gives lots of options. Wonder where sap green fits?

[haloiniastrid]

thankyou for this video it's very useful for color mixing! new subber here :)