What Colors Make Red? Guide On How To Make Red

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your paints and wondering, “Can I actually mix colors to make red?” — you’re not alone. Red is one of the three primary colors, which traditionally cannot be made by mixing other paints. But here’s the exciting part: depending on what shade of red you’re aiming for, you can create stunning variations of red using clever combinations of colors and layering techniques.

Can You Make Red by Mixing Colors?

In the purest color theory sense, red is a primary color — it can't be mixed from other colors. But in pigment mixing (which works differently than light), sometimes you can create a red-like hue by playing with specific warm tones. Artists often experiment with mixing:

• Magenta + Yellow – This combination can result in a warm, vibrant red. The more magenta you use, the deeper and richer the red will appear.

• Cadmium Orange + Quinacridone Pink – A great way to get a bright scarlet or orangey-red shade.

Quick Red Mixing Cheat Sheet:

Tip: Start small! Add tiny amounts of the second color and build slowly to avoid going too dark or muddy.

How to Adjust and Create Different Shades of Red

Even if you start with a base red, knowing how to adjust it will elevate your art:

• Darker Red: Add a touch of blue or burnt umber to deepen the hue.

• Warmer Red: Mix in a small amount of orange or yellow.

• Cooler Red: Add a bit of magenta or purple for a richer tone.

• Muted Red: Add a tiny touch of green (the complementary color), but be cautious — too much will dull the color.

Why You Need Quality Paint for Color Mixing

Cheap paints can lead to dull results. For precise color mixing and bold, beautiful reds, you need professional-grade acrylics that are richly pigmented and smooth in consistency.

Try Drawlish Acrylic Paints

At Drawlish.com, we offer premium acrylic paints that are made for artists who love to experiment with colors. Whether you need bright magentas, bold yellows, or rich oranges, our acrylic paints blend effortlessly and give you intense color payoff.

Don’t Forget Your Palette!

The right palette makes mixing colors fun and mess-free. We recommend our Drawlish Paint Palette, designed for easy blending, smooth surfaces, and minimal waste.

Shop the Drawlish Acrylic Paints and Drawlish Paint Palette now at Drawlish.com and take your color mixing to the next level!

While you can’t truly make pure red from scratch, you can mix vibrant red-like hues and create beautiful variations that will enhance your artwork. All it takes is high-quality paints, a little experimentation, and the right tools — and Drawlish has everything you need to make your next masterpiece colorful and bold.

Quick FAQs:

1. Can you mix red from primary colors?
Red is considered a primary color, but you can get red-like hues by mixing magenta and yellow.

2. How do I make red darker?
Add a touch of blue or burnt umber to deepen the red shade.

3. What’s the best way to get a bright red in acrylic painting?
Use a vivid magenta and mix with a warm yellow, or layer magenta over orange.

4. Do I need a special palette for color mixing?
A good-quality paint palette, like the Drawlish Paint Palette, makes color mixing smooth and effortless.

5. Where can I buy premium acrylic paints?
Visit Drawlish.com for professional-grade acrylic paints and palettes!