Mixing greens need not be a challenge. Have you seen any paintings in which the green colors are almost neon-like bright and do not look natural? If it’s a landscape, the different greens in the scene look as if they do not belong together. That’s because many artists face the challenge of mixing green colors that look natural and cohesive in a painting.
The Problem
In my view, the problem occurs mainly because of the use of pre-made or readymade greens instead of mixed greens. Readymade greens do look bright and attractive but when used directly in a painting, do not gel with their surroundings and look unnatural. They look outsiders in the painting.
The Solution
One solution that I know to this problem is to use a limited palette of just 3 primaries (one red, one yellow and one blue) and mix all the greens using just these colors. The greens made this way look natural and are related to each other because they have same ingredients, just in different proportions.
See me mix various greens
Watch the video below to see how this can be done. Though I have used watercolors in this video, this method works with oils, acrylics and gouache also.
If you follow this procedure and explore mixing greens, you’ll neither have to worry about alien looking greens nor about that perfect green that you see in your subject being missing from your palette!
Happy mixing greens!
Mandar
Watch the video below to see how this can be done. Though I have used watercolors in this video, this method works with oils, acrylics and gouache also.
If you follow this procedure and explore mixing greens, you’ll neither have to worry about alien looking greens nor about that perfect green that you see in your subject being missing from your palette!
Happy mixing greens!
Mandar
