To make brown, you primarily mix the three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. Combining these in varying proportions creates different shades of brown—equal parts produce a neutral brown, more red or yellow yields a warmer brown, and more blue results in a cooler brown
. Alternatively, brown can be made by mixing complementary colors (colors opposite each other on the color wheel), which neutralize each other. Common complementary pairs to make brown include:
- Red and green
- Blue and orange
- Yellow and purple
Mixing these pairs in equal amounts typically produces brown, with the exact shade depending on proportions
. Another method is mixing orange and black, where black darkens the orange to brown
. In summary, brown can be made by:
- Mixing all three primary colors (red, yellow, blue)
- Mixing two complementary colors (red + green, blue + orange, yellow + purple)
- Darkening orange with black
Adjusting the ratio and adding white or black paint can lighten or darken the brown shade as needed
