Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Add black to blue
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

You can darken blue paint just by adding another color and mixing everything together. By learning to mix colors you have a lot more options when making a painting or working on another project. There are several colors you can mix with blue to create a darker shade of blue. By carefully adding one of these colors to the blue paint, you can create the perfect dark blue color for your project in a controlled manner.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Add black to blue

1. Squeeze blue paint onto your palette. Use as much paint as you need for your project. Make sure you have enough paint to paint all the areas you want to make dark blue. When you have mixed the desired color tone, it will be difficult to reproduce this color exactly a second time. It's always better to mix more dark blue than you need instead of running out of paint.
   • If you can't finish your project in one sitting, you can put the leftover paint in an airtight container, such as a plastic container that you use to hold leftover food.
   • Consider dampening a paper towel or sponge and placing it at the bottom of the container to keep your paint from drying out. You can also use a wet palette.
2. Print a color circle. In a color circle you will find the primary colors red, yellow and blue, as well as all the other colors you can create by mixing the primary colors together. There are simple color circles with only primary and secondary colors. Consider using an expanded color wheel that includes different shades, hues and shades.
3. See where exactly the shade of blue you start with is in the color circle. To find the complementary color, you need to find the exact spot of your blue paint in the color circle. Don't assume the name of the blue paint color. Instead, put some paint on a piece of white paper and let the paint dry. Compare this color with the colors in the color circle and see exactly where the color is located in the color circle.
4. See which shade of orange is the complementary color of the shade of blue you are using. This complementary color is located in the color circle exactly opposite the blue shade you have found. This should be an orange color and is the color that you mix with the blue paint to make dark blue.
   • A good starting point is to mix burnt sienna with ultramarine.
   • Another possible color combination is cadmium orange and cobalt blue.
5. Test out the paint color. Many types of paint, including acrylic paint, dry darker. Acrylic paint dries quickly, so you can quickly test out your paint color by painting a small spot on your canvas and letting the paint dry. This shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes, and you can see your created color before using it on your project.
   • If you are dissatisfied with the dried paint color, go back to your palette and adjust the color by adding more blue or more purple.

Tips

• Clean the palette after using and mixing paint.
• When mixing paint, make sure you have enough light so that you can see what color you are making.

Warnings

• Always work in a well-ventilated area when mixing and using paint.
• It can be difficult to recreate the exact same color if you are a beginner, so make sure to mix enough paint right away. When you get more experience it will be easier to make more of a color that you mixed before. This takes practice and a trained eye.

Necessities

• Palette (an artist's palette, the lid of a tub of ice cream, an old plate, etc.)
• Palette knife, wooden stick, etc.
• Paint