What Colors Make Red? Mixing Surprises…

As we continue our color mixing investigations, we get to a fundamental question: What colors make red when mixed together? There are actually several correct answers, depending on which context you’re asking from!

As background, my name is Ms. Marshall, and I’m an artist and teacher who delights in hand-drawing and deeply researching such creative questions as, “What colors make pink?” On to today’s lesson…

What Colors Make Red?

The RYB Model

The accurate answer to this question depends on which color model we are talking about (or “colour model” if we’re using British English). Let’s start with the RYB model which is used in paint and pigments, and which is the classic configuration that we are often taught in elementary school.

In the RYB model, the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue, and those are the building blocks used to mix all the other colors. However, as we learned in “What Colors Make Blue?” pure primary colors like blue and red CANNOT be made by mixing other colors in this system. Sheesh — that’s frustrating!

The RGB Model

Moving on to the RGB color model used in light and screens, we actually get the same answer: “It’s not possible.” Why? In RGB, the primary colors are red, green, and blue, and thus cannot be made by combining the others. If you’re getting frustrated by these “You can’t make it” answers, read on, because there’s hope in the third system…

What Colors Make Red in CMYK

At last, when we move to the CMYK color model used in printing, there is a satisfying answer to our query. In CMYK, the two colors that make red by mixing them together are magenta and yellow! (See “What Colors Make Yellow?” for the inverse of this.)

A Caveat to These Answers

Now, while you can’t make pure primary red in the RYB pigment mixing system, you can make SHADES of red by combining it with other colors. (See that link for more.) For example, the primary and secondary colors red and orange make a blazingly bright orangish red when swirled together.

Meanwhile, the answer to “What color do red and brown make?” is a dark, rich red called maroon. You can turn that into more of a burgundy red by adding some purple or a dash of blue. Mix in some white, and it becomes a lighter hue… and so on!

What Colors Make Red?

I hope you’re not too annoyed by this answer that no two or three colors can make pure primary red in the RYB and RGB color models — but at least there’s CMYK to sooth the frustration! What should I illustrate and explain next, beyond what colors make purple? Do share!

Want more? Bop on over to “What Colors Make Brown?” for a much simpler and more satisfying answer to an artistic question than this one here.