To achieve shades of cool red through mixing, you typically combine red with specific types of blue. The exact shade you get depends on the blue you choose.
Understanding Cool Red
Cool reds are hues of red that have a slight blue or purple undertone, making them appear less vibrant or warm compared to reds with yellow undertones. While many cool reds exist as single pigments (like Alizarin Crimson or Quinacridone Magenta), you can mix other colors with warmer reds to shift their temperature towards cool.
Mixing Red with Blue for Cool Shades
Based on color mixing principles and specific insights, incorporating certain blues into red can create cool variations.
According to one source, "Using a blue that contains a little bit of red already, such as ultramarine blue, will result in a deep shade of cool red while cerulean blue helps create a lighter shade of cool red." This highlights two specific approaches:
- For a Deep Shade: Mix red with Ultramarine Blue. Ultramarine contains traces of red pigment, which, when mixed with red, shifts the hue towards a cooler, deeper tone rather than simply creating purple.
- For a Lighter Shade: Mix red with Cerulean Blue. Cerulean is often described as a sky blue and tends to create lighter, potentially more muted or dusty cool red shades when mixed with red.
Here's a quick summary based on this approach:
| Blue Type | Characteristic | Resulting Cool Red Shade |
|---|---|---|
| Ultramarine Blue | Contains a little red; leans towards violet | Deep |
| Cerulean Blue | Lighter, often semi-opaque; leans towards green | Lighter |
By carefully adding small amounts of either ultramarine blue or cerulean blue to your red, you can subtly alter its temperature, achieving the desired cool effect. Experimentation with proportions is key to finding the perfect cool red hue for your needs.
