Today, we’re focusing on something that some artists, especially beginners, struggle with: mixing pastel colours. Sure, you can add a lot of white to your paint and expect to get a pastel, but sometimes it doesn’t quite work out the way you want. I will explain why this happens and how you can avoid some common mistakes when mixing pastels.
What Exactly is a Pastel Colour?
A pastel colour is simply a hue that’s been lightened by adding white. This results in a softer, more muted tone compared to the original colour. You might think it’s as simple as throwing a dollop of white paint into your mix, but in reality, the outcome can vary depending on the base colour and how you mix it.
The Common Pitfalls
One of the most common mistakes when mixing pastels is not getting the desired result. You might start mixing, expecting a light blue for a sky, but end up with something that’s more purple or pink. Or, you could be aiming for a soft, romantic rose pink but end up with something that’s too purple or peachy.
This happens because different pigments react with white in different ways.
Let’s break down some of the most common blues, pinks, and yellows, and I’ll show you how to get the pastel you’re really looking for.
Mixing Blue Pastels
Ultramarine Blue
Ultramarine is a strong, intense colour, and when you add it to white, it can sometimes give you a purple-ish pastel. This can work for some types of skies, but if you’re aiming for a true blue sky, you might want to steer clear of this one.
To create a pastel using ultramarine blue, start with small amounts of white and gradually build it up. The key is to keep the colour soft by adding just enough white. Keep in mind that acrylic paint darkens as it dries, so always check the colour on a test surface.
Phthalo Blue
Phthalo blue is another intense blue, but it behaves differently when mixed with white. You’ll see a difference in tone when compared to ultramarine. It can often lean a bit toward greenish shades when mixed with white, giving you a cooler, more vibrant pastel. Again, start with a tiny bit of paint and slowly mix in the white to achieve the right shade.
Cerulean Blue
Cerulean blue is one of the go-to colours for creating a true, light daytime sky. It’s an excellent option if you want a soft pastel blue without any unwanted purple or green tones. To get the perfect pastel, just mix the cerulean blue with white and adjust as necessary. You’ll end up with a calm, serene blue perfect for skies, waters, and even backgrounds.
Read my post on mixing blue paint for other colour mixes using blue.
Mixing Pink Pastels
Cadmium Red Light
When mixing a pastel pink from cadmium red light, you’re likely to end up with a peachy hue. This can work for certain types of sunsets or flowers, but it’s not the best choice for a true pink rose. The warm, almost orange tint from cadmium red light results in a very different pastel from what you might expect.
Quinacridone Magenta
If you want a beautiful pastel pink, quinacridone magenta is an excellent choice. It gives a soft, slightly purple-tinted pastel that can be perfect for flowers, sunsets, and even abstract art. Mix it with white carefully, and you’ll get a gorgeous, bright pastel pink with just the right amount of coolness.
Naphthol Crimson
Napthol crimson is a rich red that can create beautiful, subtle pinks when mixed with white. The key is to use small amounts and mix gradually. A pastel created from napthol crimson tends to be a little deeper and darker than other pinks, but it can create lovely rosy shades for flower petals or soft highlights in portraits.
To learn how to mix other shades of red, see my post about mixing red paint colours.
The Yellow Challenge
Cadmium Yellow Medium
Yellow is tricky when it comes to mixing pastels because the pigment tends to dry darker. The best way to get a pastel yellow is by starting with cadmium yellow medium. This vibrant yellow creates a lovely, warm pastel when mixed with white, perfect for sunny skies, daffodils, or other light-coloured subjects.
Yellow Ochre
However, yellow ochre, while a useful earthy tone, doesn’t create a true pastel yellow when mixed with white. It leans more towards beige, which is still a beautiful colour, but not quite what you might expect from a pastel yellow. Yellow ochre is perfect for creating warm, muted backgrounds or earthy subjects.
Lemon Yellow
Lemon yellow has a slight green bias, meaning it leans more towards blue on the colour wheel. Adding white to it will give you a cool pastel yellow. Adding too much white can give you a green/yellow undertone, so only add a little white at a time until you achieve your desired colour.
To learn more about mixing various yellows, see my post about how to make yellow darker.
Printable Colour Chart for Primary Pastels
Pro Tips for Mixing Pastels
- Swatch Everything: When you’re working with new colours or mixing combinations, always swatch them first. Keep a record in a small watercolour book (I use a cheap one just for mixing). This way, you’ll know what to expect when you start painting.
- Start Small: When mixing colours, especially with intense hues like phthalo blue or cadmium red, always start with small amounts. You can always add more, but it’s much harder to correct if you go too far.
- Know Your Pigments: Different pigments behave differently when mixed with white. Some may shift in tone and bring out the underlying colour of the paint. As you mix more, you’ll start to recognize which colours work best for your desired pastel.
- Layering and Adjusting: Remember that acrylics dry darker. If your pastel seems too light while wet, don’t panic—let it dry and check how it looks before deciding to adjust further. You can always go back and tweak it!
- Use Gray to Test: Mixing on a gray surface can give you a more accurate view of how your pastel will look, rather than using a white palette where the colours might appear brighter than they are.
Mixing pastel colours may seem straightforward, but it’s easy to get unexpected results if you’re not careful with your pigments. By understanding how different colours react when mixed with white, and by practicing with small amounts, you can achieve the perfect pastel every time.
There are, of course, many other pastel colours you can make with secondary and tertiary colours. Have fun experimenting!
I hope this breakdown helps you in your painting journey. Don’t forget to experiment, swatch, and most importantly, have fun with your colours.
If you have questions, you can leave them in the comments below. You can also join our free Facebook group, Trembeling Art Creative Corner, where you can ask questions, post your work and get to know some fantastic artists from all genres and skill levels. 😊