Learn the quick and easy way how to make brown. Find out which two colors make brown paint and food coloring and how to use primary colors.
Table of Contents
How to Easily Make Brown
The easiest way to make brown is by mixing orange and black. Be sure to not use too much black to start. Therefore, begin with a very small amount of black and as more until you get the shade you want.
Orange
+
Black
=
Brown
To get a brown color is easy, but getting the correct shade you’re looking for can be more difficult. It also depends on what colors you have available. For example, do you only have primary colors or do you also have premixed colors? Do you have white and black? The different sections below can help you navigate to get you the correct color you’re looking for.
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What Two Colors Make Brown?
Orange and Black. The amount of black you add will determine how dark it will be.
The color of orange will also affect the color you get. As you can see, using my handy pocket color wheel, you get two different browns depending on whether it’s orange or red orange (click on them to make them larger).
How do I Make Brown With Primary Colors?
To make brown with the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue), you need to mix them all together. However, not in equal amounts. My recommendation is to first make a yellow-green by adding a small amount of blue to yellow. Then gradually add red to make the desired color.
Another way , as shown on the color wheel, is to first make red-violet by mixing blue and red, and then add yellow to it. Click on the images to make them larger.
How do I Make Brown Paint?
If you have orange and black, use those. Otherwise, my recommendation is first to make yellow-green by mixing yellow with a small amount of blue. Then add red to it. For more information, refer to the section on using primary colors. Keep in mind, these rules apply to any kind of paint, including fabric paint.
How do I Make Brown Food Coloring?
It’s the same as using paint – if you have orange and black, use those. Otherwise, my recommendation is first to make yellow-green by mixing yellow with a small amount of blue. Then add red to it. For more information, refer to the section on using primary colors.
What is the Opposite of Brown?
The short answer is dark blue or dark blue-green, depending on the shade. If we look at the color wheel, it shows us opposite color (also known as complimentary colors). You can click on them to make them larger.
How to Make Other Colors
How to Make Brown
Learn the easy way how to make brown paint and what colors make brown. Find out which two colors make brown paint and food coloring.
Materials
Using only 2 colors
- Orange Paint or food coloring
- Black Paint or food coloring
Using only primary colors
- Yellow Paint or food coloring
- Blue Paint or food coloring
- Red Paint or food coloring
Equipment
- Paintbrush or mixing tool
Instructions
Instructions for making brown with two colors
- Start with orange
- Mix in a very small amount of black until you get the brown you like
Instructions for making brown with primary colors
- Start with yellow
- Mix in a very small amount of blue until you make a yellow-green
- Mix in a small amount of red until you get the brown you like
Notes
I recommend referring to the color wheels.
Daniela Kretchmer
Daniela is a lifelong crafter who loves to share her passion for crafting. Through classes or learning on her own, she likes to say she'll do pretty much any craft aside from scrapbooking. Her current personal obsessions include garden crafts, felting, and spinning yarn.
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