Learn to draw by Tissa Hewavitharana

Colour mixing in water colour

There are an infinite number of colours but all of them includes three basic colours. The primary colours yellow, magenta and cyan (blue) by mixing two primary colours we obtain secondary colours. As beginners mainly children should understand how these colours behave when mixed together in different amounts. This knowledge allows any beginner to obtain a good idea in colour mixing and ensures correct application of colours on your painting. As mentioned earlier the three primary colours yellow, magenta and cyan in different amounts you can obtain all the other colours.

But you can paint with the three primary colours without having to mix colours. The pure colours are treated as if they were independent washes of three different colours. But this is not entirely true since wash can only be made with one colour or with a mixture of two.

Figure (one) indicates the brightest colour of the three, yellow. Since it reflects light without allowing any of the three stripes to blend together. These three colours allow you to obtain a wide range of tones. Observe Figure 2 which shows a simple painting of a flower without allowing any of the three colours to come into contact with one another.

It is slightly difficult, since wet tones mix and change into other colours. You have to plan carefully before applying your first colour so that the colours may not run all over on a wet background. Notice the colours I have used mainly two and the green used for stems is a mixture of yellow and magenta (blue).

If you do not plan things carefully, you may lose control of the painting. Light is one of the most important parts of a painting. The main focus is on light and how it effects the painting in colour. I have used yellow as the background to bring more light to the picture.

This simple painting of a flower is only the basic use of colours for any beginner. I have not gone to any details. To do the background I have used No. 6 sable hair soft brush, while for stems No. 3 brush. Paper used Kent paper with a slight grain 150 grams.