How to mix complex colours

Most subjects contain LOTS of colours when you really look. And if you’re aiming for realism in your paintings you need to try to replicate them ALL.

And colour mixing can be tricky if you’re new to painting.

So in this video I demonstrate the method I use to mix a number of colours needed within a vibrant ‘pink’ Magnolia flower.

The method is based on laying out your paints in a colour wheel – something I explain in a video here.

I hope this gives you an insight into my colour mixing decisions, and helps you with your own.

Please let me know in the comments if the colour wheel method works for you!

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23 Comments

  1. Silvia Sunesen on May 11, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    Thank you Anna, great mixing and colour tip, Happy Birthday

  2. Judith on May 11, 2017 at 10:47 pm

    I live in the USA and don’t find great options here or on Amazon – can you recommend a great brand please? Love your tutorials!

    • Anna Mason on May 12, 2017 at 8:12 am

      Do you mean for paints Judith? Daniel Smith are readily available in the US and are excellent. I list the colours of theirs I recommend in the PDF on my equipment page: https://www.naturestudio.com/equipment/

    • Linda from Minnesota, USA on May 29, 2017 at 4:44 pm

      Jackson’s Art in the UK will ship to the USA and had good pricing on Winsor & Newton, W&N DickBlick Art Supplies and Hobby Lobby also carry W&N paints.

      • Cathee Bresnahan on June 6, 2017 at 12:56 pm

        Judith, I found all my colors at Cheap Joe’s. They carry several brands also. I liked that my shipping was a set fee of $4.95. Will also say that their customer service is excellent.’

  3. Ana on May 11, 2017 at 10:57 pm

    Thank you, Anna! The colour wheel method is very helpful, and your explication is clear and easy to follow. Thank you again!

  4. Verna Storey on May 12, 2017 at 12:02 am

    Happy Birthday Anna, and thanks for the mixing tips.

  5. marie on May 12, 2017 at 1:54 am

    Once again thank you for sharing! Opera Pink is a gorgeous colour! Wonderful!!!!

  6. susan on May 12, 2017 at 3:23 am

    Anna, I love your video tips. I learned so much from just this one about choosing color.
    I took a year of classes on line but didn’t get to do as much as I wanted with it. I was surprised I still
    learned so much. I love the tips. Thank you.

  7. Shobhna Raj Singh on May 12, 2017 at 3:56 am

    Thnx so much Anna .. .. lovely video as always .. Wishing u many many happy returns.. have a blessed Birthday sweetheart. Cheers ❤️

    • Anna Mason on May 12, 2017 at 8:10 am

      Thank you!

  8. Hilda on May 12, 2017 at 7:30 am

    Thank you Anna for your painting video of the magnolia. You are so inspiring. X

  9. Elisabetta on May 12, 2017 at 8:58 am

    As first thing happy birthday!! I am always enchanted by your video that I would spend all the time to see them… As usual very useful and very well explained, thank you so much!!!

  10. Mai-Lill Ihlar on May 12, 2017 at 11:52 am

    Hi Anna. I’m still waiting for my free lesson on the “pear,” through Nityia Przewlocki… I klicked the link, but nothing has popped up in my mailbox, but this newsletter from you. Thank you for the inspirational interview! Looking forward to get into the “flow!”

    • Anna Mason on May 13, 2017 at 12:32 pm

      You should have had it if you’re on our list Mai-Lill. Do check your Spam /Promotions folder and if it’s not there, reach out to [email protected] and we’ll get it to you!

  11. Elisabetta on May 12, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    Happy birthday Anna!! Wonderful video and very useful

  12. Sara Anderson on May 12, 2017 at 8:03 pm

    These videos are always helpful, I think I am finally starting to catch on. I now look at the picture, pause the video and take a guess at how to mix it before continuing.

  13. Amy on May 15, 2017 at 12:04 am

    Happy Birthday Anna,

    Can I ask you where you got that lovely desk top table you were using in this video? I have a neck injury and that would be very helpful

    • Anna Mason on May 15, 2017 at 8:57 am

      Thanks Amy! If you checkout my equipment page (annamasonart.com/equipment) you can find links through to buy it online!

  14. Sonja on May 20, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    Thank you Anna! This was so helpful! I just completed your free class, it was so much fun, and decided to paint the pear again on different kinds of paper just for the experience and to learn more in the process. I will soon post it on my instagram page. You are a true inspiration!

    • Anna Mason on May 22, 2017 at 7:54 am

      Thanks Sonja and I’ll keep an eye out for it!

  15. Susan G. on May 30, 2017 at 8:24 am

    Thank you so much. You are so helpful and inspiring. I had tried using a store bought colour wheel which was not much help. I found that making my own, with the colors in my pallet was what really made color matching possible for me.. I am a beginner. I have not used watercolor since high school. But, started painting last year.
    I am on a fixed income so the free videos you do are so very helpful.

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