What Colors Make Brown? (How Can I Make Brown Color with Paint)
Mixing brown is one of the most fundamental color techniques in art and design. In paint and subtractive art, brown is created by combining all three primary colors, either directly or via complementary pairs.
Red + Green = Rich Chocolate Brown
Because green is made of blue and yellow, combining Red + Green brings all three primaries together. Start with equal parts of Cadmium Red and Phthalo Green. Add more red for a warm mahogany tone, or more green for an earthy forest undertone.
Blue + Orange = Earthy Terra Cotta Brown
Orange is made of red and yellow. Adding Blue + Orange yields a natural terra-cotta or rust brown. Use a 10% touch of Ultramarine Blue with 90% Orange to prevent the blue from overpowering the mix.
Yellow + Purple = Warm Tan / Ochre Brown
Purple is made of red and blue. Combining Yellow + Purple creates a bright, sandy, golden-brown hue ideal for beach landscapes, desert dunes, and animal fur.
Equal Parts Red + Yellow + Blue = Deep Walnut
Mix equal parts of Cadmium Red, Primary Yellow, and Cobalt Blue. This produces a deep walnut neutral brown. Add White to tint into beige/taupe, or Black to shade into espresso.