What Colors Make Brown? Guide On How To Make Brown

Brown might seem simple, but it’s one of the most versatile and essential colors in art. Whether you’re painting realistic landscapes, warm portraits, or cozy interiors, knowing how to mix the perfect shade of brown opens up endless creative possibilities. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what colors make brown and how to mix different shades like a pro — using Drawlish Acrylic Paints and our premium Drawlish Paint Palette, available at Drawlish.com.

What Two Colors Make Brown?

At its core, brown is made by mixing primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. But you don’t have to use all three — sometimes, two colors are enough!

Here are a few simple combinations to create brown:

• Red + Green (green is made of blue + yellow, so this combo brings all three primaries together)

• Blue + Orange (orange = red + yellow)

• Yellow + Purple (purple = red + blue)

With Drawlish Acrylic Paints, each of these mixtures blends smoothly and richly, giving you stunning, warm browns without muddy results.

How to Make Different Shades of Brown

Once you’ve made your base brown, the magic really begins! Here’s how to customize it using your Drawlish Paint Palette:

• Lighten the brown: Add white or a touch of yellow for a creamy, caramel-like hue.

• Darken the brown: Add a bit of black or deep blue for chocolatey or earthy tones.

• Warm up the brown: Add more red or orange for sunset-inspired warmth.

• Cool down the brown: Add a touch of blue for muted, sophisticated undertones.

Quick Brown Mixing Cheat Sheet:

Why Use Drawlish Acrylic Paints?

• Ultra-rich pigments for bold, long-lasting colors.

• Smooth, easy blending so you can mix your browns to perfection.

• Fast-drying formula — no waiting around, just pure creativity.

• Available in sets with a wide range of colors perfect for color mixing experiments.

And don’t forget to grab our Drawlish Paint Palette — a must-have for artists who love mixing custom shades effortlessly! The palette’s easy-to-clean surface and perfectly sized wells make mixing browns (and every other color) an absolute joy.

Pro Tip: Experiment and Swatch

Before committing to your canvas, test your browns on a sheet of paper. Start with small amounts and adjust until you find the perfect shade for your artwork. The more you experiment with your Drawlish Acrylic Paints, the more you'll learn how subtle color adjustments can completely transform your work.

Brown is far from boring — it’s rich, warm, and full of life. By mastering color mixing, you can create endless shades of brown for any artistic project. Whether you're painting landscapes, portraits, or abstracts, Drawlish Acrylic Paints and our Drawlish Paint Palette will help you bring your creative visions to life with ease.

FAQs About Making Brown Paint

1. What two colors make brown?
You can make brown by mixing complementary colors, such as red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple. Each combination gives a slightly different brown tone.

2. How do I make light brown?
To create a light brown, simply add white or a small amount of yellow to your brown mixture. This will soften and brighten the color into tan or beige shades.

3. How do I make dark brown?
Add a touch of black, dark blue, or more red to your brown mixture to deepen the tone and create a richer, darker brown.

4. Can I make brown without using all three primary colors?
Yes! By mixing complementary colors (which already contain two primary colors), you effectively combine all three primary colors, resulting in brown.

5. Why does my brown look muddy?
 If your brown turns out muddy or dull, you may have overmixed or used too much black. Start with small amounts and add color gradually for cleaner, more vibrant results.