Watercolour Mixing Chart

The only art classes I had were during my primary and secondary school. I barely remember any proper art techniques were taught to me. I draw and paint terribly even until today.

I always want to learn drawing and painting, but the adult drawing class is quite limited here or sometimes the time does not match. So recently, I noticed there are some watercolour tutorials for beginners (just fit me nice!) as I was surfing pinterest. So I read up some basic intro and then  I found this watercolour mixing chart tutorial video (https://www.youtube.com/watchv=wY45AMXs6V8) that I would like to try too.So, I just grabbed whatever I have at home and tried to learn from there. At this 21st century, you can learn almost everything online!

The video have showed everything so I am just gonna to briefly go through the steps. So, these are the old watercolour stock I have since my secondary school, I guess. I did do some basic reading before I started this out so ya, even it drys out, it is always usable by re-wetting up. So you can also try with your old stock if you have any at home instead of buying a new one. I used normal drawing paper instead of proper watercolour paper. 

                                      

So first, like how I did, you can draw boxes on your paper like I did, I picked 8 colours so I have a 8 x 8  table here. Next, write the colours you picked on both horizontal and vertical side in sequence you preferred, and then you can start mixing the colour. You should always mix more horizontal colour than the vertical one so that your red-green looked different with your green-red. 

 

For every row, you should also always start with the primary colour before you start to mix with theothers. It is interest to see how the colour changes when you mix them. 

I prefer to prepare 7 mini pools of my primary colour (horizontal colour) rather than mixing two colours directly as showed in the video, trying to reduce the times I need to keep cleaning my brushes.

 As I am using normal drawing paper, any mistake I made could not be corrected once I have painted on the paper. If you see closely, in the red circles, I tried to blend in more green but I could not. Also in black circle, I tried to adjust the ratio after I have paint on the paper but failed. These could actually be done if you are using watercolour paper. So, do be cautious if you using normal drawing paper like me.

So, after filing up all boxes by mixing the different colours, you now have the mixing colour chart that you can always keep as a reference which to mix to get your desire colour next time. I got a bit distracted so I actually mixed the wrong combination when I am trying to mix sky blue with black. Despite the entire work seemed to be pretty simple, but I did find that the ratio of the 2 colours have to be controlled carefully. Too little make no difference, too much make it the same as the other same combination. In additions, my saturation in colours are not quite consistent too, some looked saturated and some looked quite diluted. Hope that you can avoid some mistakes after seeing the mistakes I made. Happy mixing colours~

Hi there~

I don't remember how and when exactly I fall in love in arts and craft. However, it does not seem to me that I have high talent in this aspect. So, throughout 25 years of my life, I have never dare putting myself in this aspect. However, I recently realize that it does not matter how badly I do, as long as I try! Yes, so I have finally decided to set up this blog to share my experience trying out different project, even when I fail to do the project. I hope that it can also inspire other people out there who like me starts trying out! Perhaps it is sometimes we ourselves who stop us. So, let's just give it a try then! Let's explore those little matters that we interested and live a little~

And, I am just a beginner in blogging too, so bear with me and see how I grow from here. So stay tune, there will be many more upcoming for crafts and cooking =)