Gray watercolor is a versatile and timeless color that can be used in a variety of painting styles and subjects. From portraits to landscapes, gray watercolor can add depth and contrast to your artwork.
What Colors Make Gray? – A Guide on How to Make Gray
Although often overlooked by many, gray is an essential part of any color pallet. This soothing neutral shade offers a reassuring middle ground between light and dark, bringing out the best in the colors that surround it. As artists, we cannot simply settle for gray out of a tube when we have the world of color mixing at our fingertips. In this color mixing guide, we will show you how to create new and interesting gray hues from a range of colors, and give you a deeper insight into the many wonders of the color gray.
Table of Contents
- 1 Taking a Closer Look at Gray
- 1.1 The Importance of Neutral Shades Like Gray
- 1.2 Impressions of Different Gray Shades
- 1.2.1 A Sophisticated Shade
- 1.2.2 A Shade of Strength and Fortitude
- 2.1 The Influence of Color Bias
- 2.1.1 Why Is Color Bias So Important?
- 2.2.1 Downsides to Using This Method
- 2.3.1 What Colors Make Gray Warm?
- 2.3.2 What Colors Make Gray Cool?
- 4.1 How Many Shades of Gray Are There?
- 4.2 What Two Colors Make Gray?
Taking a Closer Look at Gray
Like all colors, gray can evoke a particular emotional tone when it is used in painting or design. The idea that gray is little more than a combination of black and white and evokes feelings of gloom and melancholy misses the mark. Just as in life, the gray area offers an expansive range of possibilities for emotional and symbolic expression. What you can evoke with a shade of gray depends on its hue and the colors that accompany it.
The Importance of Neutral Shades Like Gray
Vibrant colors like reds, oranges, and yellows can become overwhelming if they do not have a neutral to accompany and support them. Just as you cannot have light without darkness, joy without sadness, and peace without turmoil, neutrals and vibrant colors rely on each other. One of the most impactful ways of creating a sense of balance and harmony in any painting is knowing how to achieve the balance of bright colors and neutral shades like gray.
In some senses, gray can be seen as a conformist color, lacking a personality of its own and taking on the theme of the colors around it. If used right, however, gray can create dramatic scenes.
Perhaps the most interesting characteristic of neutral shades like gray, is that they tend to take on different qualities depending on which vibrant color they are paired with. If, for example, you pair a shade of gray with a bright red, the gray will tend to look a little more green. The same gray, when paired with a vibrant blue, will appear more purple. Perhaps the most amazing thing about making your own gray shades, is that you can achieve these different appearances without the vibrant colors!
Impressions of Different Gray Shades
When you know how to create varied shades of gray, you can use them in various ways to create emotional visual experiences. Darker shades of gray for instance can be moody, mysterious, or formal. In contrast, lighter shades of gray can glimmer with light and electricity.
A Sophisticated Shade
The most common impression of gray is one of seriousness and authority. Perhaps this impression stems simply from the context in which we normally see gray around is in the world, that of offices, suits, and concrete buildings. Gray is often seen as a sophisticated color, one that is silently smart but does not draw too much attention to itself.
Lighter shades of gray typically give this impression of formality and sophistication.
A Shade of Strength and Fortitude
When it comes to considering our emotional human reactions to different colors and shades, we need to consider the context that creates these impressions. There is a reason why yellow is seen as a bright and warm color, and there is a reason why darker shades of gray can create a sense of strength, morose, and fortitude.
In the natural world, the most common shades of gray that we experience are darker. We see these darker shades of gray in rolling thunder clouds and large imposing boulders. Just like the force behind these thunderstorms and the longevity of these boulders, darker shades of gray can create a sense of determination and strength in a painting.
So, What Colors Make Gray?
It is all very well and good knowing how to use different shades of gray in a painting, but the essence of this article is to show you how to make these different shades yourself. Once you know how to make gray paint in a variety of shades, the world is your oyster. There are three main methods that you can use to create different gray shades. The first involves simply combining black and white, the second involves using primary shades, and the third uses complementing colors to create a variety of gray hues.
We will discuss each of these methods, provide our favorite color combinations, and explore how to adjust the temperature and tone of your gray shades. First, however, we need to cover some of the basic principles of color theory.
The Influence of Color Bias
Many of you are certainly going to be familiar with the basic elements of color theory, like the primary colors and colors that complement each other. When it comes to creating a variety of shades of gray, it is important to understand the color bias. Color bias refers to the relative warmth or coolness of a color, with the warmest shade being bright red and the coolest being blue.
This understanding of color bias is surface level, because every color has an implicit temperature, depending on its composite colors. For example, you can have warm or cool purples, depending on the ratios of blue and red. It can get even more complicated when we consider the relative color bias of primary shades like red and blue. A red like coquelicot red is much warmer than magenta because magenta contains a touch of blue and therefore leans more towards purple. In much the same way, manganese blue is much cooler and appears greener than ultramarine blue which is more purple.
Why Is Color Bias So Important?
Color bias is not only something interesting to consider, but it has a direct effect on how you mix colors. You are probably aware of the fact that mixing all three primary shades will create a muddy shade of brown. Say we wanted to mix a purple (which is the base for one of our gray mixing methods) and we combined a warm red with a cool blue (that contains a little yellow). The result of this combination would be a muddy purple because we are inadvertently combining all three primary shades.
For a vibrant purple, the best combination would be a cool red and a warm blue, as both already lean towards purple and only contain red and blue hues.
Method One: How to Make Gray With Black and White
This first method is probably the easiest and most common way to create a shade of gray. If you want to know what two colors make gray, the answer is black and white. You simply need to combine equal parts of black and white paint, to create a lovely neutral shade of gray.
The 1:1 ratio of black and white is only the beginning of this method. You can alter the darkness of your gray by adding more or less black to your white paint.
If you are uncertain of how dark you want your gray paint to be, it is best to begin with your white paint and add small drops of black incrementally. As they always say, it is much easier to add more black than to take it away. Black is the stronger of the two colors, and you only need a touch of black to darken your gray significantly, but a lot of white to lighten it by a small amount.
Downsides to Using This Method
The gray you get from this method is very neutral, as it is neither cool nor warm. This may be ideal for some purposes, but overall this is not the most-loved method for making gray shades. Many artists prefer to use the other methods to create richer grays with different color biases, rather than using this rather flat and lifeless gray.
Another downside of using this method is that you are typically limited to the black or white you have in your palette, again reducing the variety of gray shades that you can make. Finally, many shop-bought black shades have base colors like green which can begin to show through when mixed with white. As a result, you have little control over the final gray shade when using this method.
Method Two: How to Make Gray Paint With Complementary Colors
Combining complementing colors is one of the most popular methods for creating muted colors. When it comes to the question of what two colors make gray paints that have unique color biases and underlying hues, your best option is to use combinations of complementary colors.
Depending on the complementary colors you use, you can control the warmth of your gray shades with ease.
When it comes to mixing the perfect gray shade for your unique painting project, nothing beats experimentation. We have two different methods for you, one for creating a warm gray and one for a cool gray, but you can explore different combinations and ratios to find your perfect shade.
What Colors Make Gray Warm?
The trick to making a warm gray is to use two warm colors. We find that we can create a lovely warm mauve gray by using purple and yellow. Of course, if you were to use a cool purple and yellow shade, you can make a cooler gray shade, but we are using a warm yellow and purple. The two shades that we suggest are:
Both of these colors are already slightly muted and lean towards gray to begin with, which makes them ideal for creating a light and warm mauve gray. Simply combine these two shades in equal parts and marvel at your beautiful shade of gray. You can use this gray for puffs of smoke, storm clouds, or pebbles. The possibilities are endless with this stunning warm gray. This gray is quite light, and you can make a dark grayish purple shade by using darker shades of purple and yellow. For example, you can substitute your complementing shades with these darker hues:
What Colors Make Gray Cool?
In contrast to making warm grays, there are a few more color combinations that you can use to make cool gray shades. The first combination we are going to discuss is orange and blue. You can experiment with using different shades of blue, but the best orange to use when making gray is cadmium orange. The best blue shades for making a cool blue with cadmium orange are:
Once again, combine your orange and blue in equal parts to produce a lovely cool and quite dark gray shade. Ultramarine blue is a little warmer than the other two, so the gray you will get from it and cadmium orange will be slightly more muted. If you want your gray to be even darker, use a darker shade of blue. If you want to lighten your gray, you can add a touch of white.
The second color combination that will create a cool gray shade is red and green. The best green for making gray is phthalo green, and you can combine this shade with a few different red hues for different results. Our favorite red hues for making a cool gray shade are:
This gray is quite a dark shade, so once again, you can lighten it a little by adding a touch of white paint.
Method Three: How to Make Gray With the Primary Colors
The final, and perhaps most popular method for how to make gray paint is to use a combination of all three primary shades. This method includes a lot of room for adapting and changing your gray shade significantly throughout. We find that the best colors to use with this method are:
Begin this mixing process by combining equal parts of your red and blue paint to create a purple shade. At this stage, you can decide whether you want your gray to be warmer or cooler. If you want it to be warmer, add a touch more red, and if you want it to be cooler, add a little more blue.
The crucial part of this method is adding your yellow. It is the addition of the yellow that turns your purple into gray.
Essentially, this method is a slightly longer route to get to the same point as using purple and yellow, but you have a lot more control over the final shade because you are starting from the absolute baseline. You can create the perfect tone of gray by adjusting how much yellow you add. For a darker gray, you simply need to add less yellow, and more for a lighter gray shade.
Understanding the Primary Watercolor Pigments
Red, Yellow, and Blue Pigments
- Red Pigment: Red pigment is one of the primary watercolor pigments and is used to create warm tones in a painting. It can be found in a range of hues, from bright red to a more muted, earthy red.
- Yellow Pigment: Yellow pigment is another primary watercolor pigment that is used to create bright, cheerful tones. It can be found in a range of hues, from lemon yellow to a deeper, more golden yellow.
- Blue Pigment: Blue pigment is the third primary watercolor pigment and is used to create cool tones in a painting. It can be found in a range of hues, from bright sky blue to a more muted, indigo blue.
It’s important to understand that the specific pigments you use will have a big impact on the final color of your gray watercolor. Different brands and types of pigments can produce different results, so it’s a good idea to experiment with a few different options to find the pigments that work best for you.
Once you have your primary pigments, you’re ready to start mixing! The next step is to determine the right ratio of red, yellow, and blue pigments to create your desired gray tone.
Differences Between Warm and Cool Pigments
- Warm Pigments: Warm pigments, such as red and yellow, are used to create warm, sunny tones in a painting. They evoke feelings of warmth and happiness and are often used to represent fire, the sun, or other warm elements in a scene.
- Cool Pigments: Cool pigments, such as blue, are used to create cool, calming tones in a painting. They evoke feelings of calmness and serenity and are often used to represent water, sky, or other cool elements in a scene.
- Understanding the difference: The difference between warm and cool pigments lies in their visual effect on the viewer. Warm pigments are eye-catching and draw attention, while cool pigments are more soothing and calming. When creating gray watercolor, it’s important to understand the difference between warm and cool pigments in order to create the desired effect in your painting.
- Choosing the right pigments: To create gray watercolor, it’s important to choose the right mix of warm and cool pigments. If you want to create a warm gray, you’ll want to use more red and yellow pigments, while if you want to create a cool gray, you’ll want to use more blue pigment. By understanding the difference between warm and cool pigments, you’ll be able to choose the right mix of pigments to achieve your desired gray tone.
Importance of Choosing the Right Pigments for Creating Gray
- The tone of the gray: Choosing the right pigments for creating gray watercolor is important because it affects the tone of the final color. Different pigments will produce different results, so it’s important to choose the right mix of red, yellow, and blue pigments to achieve the desired gray tone.
- Consistency of the gray: Using consistent pigments is also important for ensuring that the gray remains consistent throughout your painting. If you use different pigments for different parts of your painting, the gray may appear differently in different areas, affecting the overall cohesiveness of your artwork.
- Interaction with other colors: It’s also important to consider how the gray will interact with other colors in your painting. If you’re using a warm gray, it may appear differently when placed next to a cool blue, for example. By choosing the right pigments, you can ensure that the gray will complement the other colors in your painting and create a harmonious composition.
Choosing the right pigments for creating gray watercolor is important for achieving the desired tone, consistency, and interaction with other colors in your painting.
By understanding the differences between warm and cool pigments and experimenting with different combinations, you can create a range of gray tones for your artwork.
The Recipe for Creating Neutral Gray Watercolor
Step-by-step Instructions for Mixing the Pigments
- Gather materials: To create gray watercolor, you’ll need the following materials: watercolor pigments (red, yellow, and blue), a palette, water, and a paintbrush.
- Squeeze pigments onto the palette: Squeeze a small amount of cool blue pigment onto your palette.
- Add red pigment: Next, add a small amount of red pigment to the blue pigment and mix it in.
- Add yellow pigment: Then, add a small amount of yellow pigment to the mix and mix it in with the red and blue pigments.
- Adjust ratios: Keep adjusting the ratios of red, yellow, and blue pigments until you achieve the desired gray tone. You may need to add more of one pigment or less of another to get the right balance.
- Test the mix: Test the mix on a piece of paper to see how it looks when dry. If necessary, adjust the ratios of the pigments until you get the desired result.
- Use in your artwork: Once you have achieved the desired gray tone, you can use it in your watercolor painting.
By following these simple steps, you can create a neutral gray watercolor that is perfect for use in your artwork. Remember to be patient and experiment with different ratios of pigments until you get the desired result.
The ratio of Pigments to Achieve a Neutral Gray
The exact ratio of pigments required to achieve a neutral gray will depend on the specific pigments you are using. However, as a general rule, it’s best to start with a cool blue pigment as the dominant color and then add smaller amounts of red and yellow until you reach your desired tone.
A common ratio for creating a neutral gray is 1 part blue pigment, 1/2 part red pigment, and 1/4 part yellow pigment. However, this is just a starting point, and you may need to adjust the ratios to achieve the desired gray tone, depending on the specific pigments you are using.
It’s important to keep in mind that adding too much red pigment can lead to a brownish tone, so be mindful of the ratios when mixing. Additionally, it’s a good idea to test the mix on a piece of paper before applying it to your artwork, as the color can appear differently when it’s wet and when it’s dry.
By experimenting with different ratios of pigments, you’ll be able to find the right combination to achieve a neutral gray watercolor that is perfect for your artwork.
Tips for Adjusting the Tone of the Gray
Tips for adjusting the tone of the gray
- Adjusting the blue pigment: If you want to make the gray cooler, add more blue pigment to the mix. If you want to make the gray warmer, add less blue pigment.
- Adjusting the red pigment: If you want to make the gray warmer, add more red pigment to the mix. If you want to make the gray cooler, add less red pigment.
- Adjusting the yellow pigment: If you want to make the gray warmer, add more yellow pigment to the mix. If you want to make the gray cooler, add less yellow pigment.
- Testing the mix: After adjusting the pigments, it’s important to test the mix on a piece of paper to see how it looks when dry. You can then make any further adjustments as needed.
- Keeping a record: It’s also a good idea to keep a record of the ratios you used for future reference, so you can recreate the gray easily in the future.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to adjust the tone of your gray watercolor to create a range of gray tones for your artwork. Whether you want a warm gray or a cool gray, by understanding how to adjust the ratios of red, yellow, and blue pigments, you’ll be able to achieve the desired result.
Experimenting With Different Gray Tones
Adding More Red or Yellow to Create Warm Gray
To create a warm gray, you can add more red or yellow pigment to the mix. This will create a gray that has a warm, golden tone, which is ideal for paintings that are meant to evoke feelings of warmth and happiness.
When adding more red or yellow pigment, be careful not to add too much, as this can lead to a brownish tone instead of a gray one.
Adding More Blue to Create Cool Gray
To create a cool gray, you can add more blue pigment to the mix. This will create a gray that has a cool, calming tone, which is ideal for paintings that are meant to evoke feelings of calmness and serenity. When adding more blue pigment, be careful not to add too much, as this can lead to a gray that is too cool and lacks warmth.
Using Different Pigments to Achieve Unique Gray Tones
Another way to create unique gray tones is to experiment with different pigments. Different brands and types of pigments can produce different results, so it’s a good idea to experiment with a few different options to find the pigments that work best for you.
For example, using a cool blue pigment with a hint of green can create a unique gray tone that is different from a gray made with a pure blue pigment.
By experimenting with different gray tones, you’ll be able to create a range of gray watercolors that are perfect for your artwork.
Whether you want a warm gray, a cool gray, or a unique gray tone, by understanding how to adjust the ratios of red, yellow, and blue pigments and experimenting with different pigments, you’ll be able to achieve the desired result.
Origin and History
Slate is a generic name for a metamorphosed mudstone or shale, a fine -grained rock that has developed a strong, planar cleavage in a direction suitable for the manufacture of roof tiles. The term does not denote a specific mineralogy and this is entirely dependent on the local composition of the mudstone from which it was formed. Typically, fine micas are present (and it is these planar minerals which align to promote the cleavage) with varying amounts of iron oxides, iron pyrite and elemental carbon in the form of graphite. Very fine-grained quartz is frequently present. Clay minerals may be present, but these are generally converted to mica during the processes of metamorphism. Individual grains within most slates are beyond the resolution of optical microscopes. Slates form in areas of continental crust that have undergone moderate burial and deformation during their geological history. Waste from cutting and trimming slates is an abundant by-product. According to Heaton (1928) this was ground to a powder and supplied in grades of varying fineness. Slate powder was used in the paint industry as an inert filler for the preparation of filling compounds for woodwork, machinery, etc.
Slate Black is a variant or common name for this pigment. Apparently a ‘shale black containing 15% carbon’ could bc made by calcining bituminous shale (Mayer, 1991).
Source
Our slate gray pigment is derived from slate deposits in France.
This pigment has not been tested for lightfastness in most artist’s mediums, but based upon its chemical composition it should have an equivalent lightfastness of brown ocher, umber or natural Sienna pigment. It should also be compatible with all pigments.
Oil Absorption and Grinding
The oil absorption rate of slate gray is 24 grams of linseed oil for 100 grams of pigment. Slate gray is medium grain pigment that is easily hand mulled into paint.
There are no acute or known chronic health hazards with the anticipated use of this product. Protect yourself against potentially known hazards by keeping it out of your body. Do this by avoiding ingestion, excessive skin contact and inhalation of sanding dusts. Conforms to ASTM D4236.
Rublev Colours Pigment: Slate Gray
Pigment Information Color: Gray Colour Index: PBk 19 (77017) Chemical Name: Hydrated Aluminum Silicate Chemical Formula: – ASTM Lightfastness Rating Acrylic: Not Listed Oil: Not Listed Watercolor: Not Listed Properties Density: Not Available Hardness: Not Available Refractive Index: Not Available More Information
SKU 482-11 Brand Rublev Colours Vendor Natural Pigments Processing Time Usually ships the next business day. Color Black Pigment Type Inorganic, Earth, Natural
