UK artist context: RYB mixing and paint brands
Traditional colour mixing in painting uses the RYB (Red-Yellow-Blue) model, which is the basis taught in UK schools from GCSE Art through A-Level and beyond. UK brands such as Winsor and Newton and Daler-Rowney dominate the artist supply market, and their paint ranges are organised by pigment codes (e.g., PB29 for Ultramarine Blue). This tool simulates subtractive mixing in the RYB model , useful for planning mixes before opening a tube.
For print work, mixing shifts to CMYK (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black), which is the standard in UK commercial printing. The digital screen uses RGB (additive mixing). These three models are fundamentally different: a mix that looks good on screen will not translate directly to paint or print without conversion.
RYB primary and secondary colour reference
| Mix | Result |
|---|---|
| Red + Yellow | Orange |
| Yellow + Blue | Green |
| Blue + Red | Purple/Violet |
| Red + Yellow + Blue | Brown/grey (neutral) |
| Any colour + White | Tint (lighter) |
| Any colour + Black | Shade (darker) |
Limits of digital colour mixing simulation
This tool simulates expected results based on RYB colour theory, not actual pigment chemistry. Real paint mixing depends on pigment concentration, transparency, and granulation , a mix of Cadmium Red and Prussian Blue will behave differently from Alizarin Crimson and Cerulean Blue, even if both pairs are nominally "red + blue". Tube black (e.g., Ivory Black) tends to dull colours; mixing complementaries (Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna) produces richer, more luminous darks. Test your intended mix on paper before applying it to finished work.
Workflow: from digital preview to real paint
Use this tool to plan proportions and identify expected mixed hue, then verify on a test swatch. For screen-to-print colour work, convert your target HEX to CMYK through your print supplier's profile. To build a palette around your mixed colour, use the Colour Palette Generator to generate tints and complementary hues from the result.