The most common way to make red paint a darker color is to mix it with another color. You can mix two different reds into your paint to make a slight change, or mix them with green or blue to radically change the color without destroying it. Neutral colors, such as black and brown, can be added to red paint to create a more intense and dramatic effect. You can also adjust the distinctive impression of red by changing the paint or applying an additional layer.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Red, Green, or Blue Paint
Step 1. Mix a darker red color into your red base paint
Mixing two of the same color is the best option for making minor changes to the base color of the red paint. Make modifications to the red paint by mixing it with another red paint that is more concentrated of the same type and brand. Add maroon, burgundy, or dark red to the bright red paint and stir with a wooden stick or brush until the colors are evenly mixed.
- This is the easiest way to make minor changes to the red paint.
- Use paints from the same category to mix. If the base paint is acrylic, mix it with acrylic paint as well. If the base is a semi-gloss oil-based paint, use a mixture of similar ingredients. Mixing paints of different types can cause inconsistencies in the texture or color.
- If you're working in a slightly dark place, it's hard to see the difference between the red from the base paint and the other reds mixed in.
Step 2. Add a little green paint to make the red more intense
Additional colors can be used to create shades of brown. If you want to make the red paint darker without adding black, use green to make it slightly brown. Start by using a combination of red and brown paint at a 10:1 ratio before adding more green.
- Dark colors can radically change light-colored paint. Be careful and apply a little green paint at a time before continuing with the process.
- You can identify additional colors through the color wheel and look for colors that are opposite to the red used.
- If you add black to your color, the paint will absorb more light. Adding a little green is a great way to keep reds bright and sharp without making the room appear smaller or the painting looking stiffer.
Step 3. Use an analogous blue to make the red darker and softer
Undertone violet can produce a darker, deeper red. Mix dark red with light blue or dark blue with bright red for a darker color. Start mixing the red and blue in a 10:1 ratio before adding more blue paint.
- Analogous colors refer to colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as light green and bright yellow or dark orange and bright red.
- Using too much blue will make the red paint turn purple.
Tip:
Mixing analogous colors will make the paint look more dynamic and unique. If you're trying to accentuate the look on a wall or want to add some appeal through color, consider this option.
Method 2 of 3: Mixing Red with Neutral Colors
Step 1. Mix black to change the red color and make it appear darker
Mixing any color with black will make it appear darker. This is the easiest way to produce a deeper color. Mix the black and red paint in a 1:30 ratio to make sure you don't overdo it when you mix the two paints. Black is the most powerful color when it comes to modifying other colors. So, add black little by little.
Most painters do not like to mix primary colors with black because it can stain the color and make it look undynamic
Warning:
It is very difficult to restore a color that has changed because it is mixed with black because the pigment is very dominant. In addition, black can change to other colors quickly so you will have a hard time determining the amount.
Step 2. Mix the red with the gray to make a flat dark red
Mix red and gray paint in a 15:1 ratio. Mixing gray instead of black means that you give a little white to the base color so that the resulting impression is more neutral. White and black will cover each other in terms of brightness so red will appear flatter and denser. Mix red and gray if you want to make a wall or painting feel neutral.
- If you're worried about making the room feel smaller when you use a mix of red and gray paint, go for a lighter gray. This will produce a deeper red color without making it feel dark.
- You can make gray by mixing white and black.
Step 3. Mix red with brown to make a deep, earthy red
Mix brown and red in a ratio of 1:20. Choosing a brown color that goes well with red is sometimes difficult because brown has so many options. In general, the lighter the brown used, the more orange the red will be. Add a bit of dark brown if you're working with a primary red.
You can add black or yellow to the red-brown mixture for a burgundy color
Method 3 of 3: Creating a Second Layer and Blending the Materials
Step 1. Add the same layer of red paint to make the color thicker
Once the first coat of paint has dried, you can thicken the red by adding a second coat. This works best when you're working with colors that are deeper than the primary red. Just coat the canvas, wall, or other painted object a second time using the red color you used to make the first coat.
If you're using a bright red, adding a second layer will make it stand out more and make it appear lighter
Step 2. Add a layer of maroon, burgundy, or crimson paint to the lighter color for a more intense tone
If the red you are using is too light, you can make the color darker by adding a darker color. Choose a red a few shades darker than your current red, then apply it over the first coat of paint for a stronger color. This method works great for water-based or transparent paints.
- Watercolors are often not sold in a variety of color options. If you're using watercolor, reduce the amount of water you add to make the color darker.
- You can use the color sample guide to identify the colors on the walls. Position the red on the wall until you find a sample that blends in perfectly.
- Color samples are generally made by positioning the lightest color at the top and the darkest color at the bottom. Move 2-3 squares on the slider to choose a color that blends perfectly with the first coat of paint.
Step 3. Coat the shiny red with solid red to change the texture of the walls
Shiny red reflects light so this color appears lighter than the original color. Coat the shiny paint with a solid colored paint to reduce the intensity of light reflecting off the surface.
- Oil-based paints tend to reflect more light than latex paints.
- If you are painting interior walls, this can be done by taking a can of shiny paint to the store where you bought it and asking for a latex version of the same color.
- Shiny oil-based paints need more than one coat to cover.
Step 4. Switch to oil paint to acrylic paint if you are using canvas.
In general, oil paints produce lighter, bolder colors. Acrylic paints are often flatter and turn darker as they dry. If you're trying to use a red color, but want to make it bolder, replace the oil paint with acrylic paint.
Warning:
You need to be creative when changing from oil to acrylic paints. Oil paints take a day to dry, while acrylic paints dry in minutes.
