Orange is a strong, eye-catching colour that can create atmosphere and warmth in a painting. Its vivid shade is useful for painting sunrises and sunsets; an intimate glow in an interior scene or for creating a striking contrast with darker colours.
What colours make orange?
Whether you want to make a vibrant orange, a burnt orange or more of a coral colour, first you need two primary colours to mix together: red and yellow.
By varying the ratios of these colours and attaching a touch of white or blue, you can create a variety of different shades of orange.
How to make orange
To make a vivid orange colour, mix together equal parts red and yellow (ratio 1:1). For a lighter orange, use more yellow (1:2).
How to make burnt orange
Add a tiny dot of blue to your orange mixture. Take care not to add too much blue as this will make the colour brown.
How to make peach orange
Take your orange mixture and add white in small increments until you have your desired shade of peach.
How to make orange paint for your next artwork
Orange is a popular shade for underpainting a canvas or paper before painting. This is where a thin coat of paint is applied to the surface of the canvas/paper, creating a more uniform surface. Underpainting in orange is particularly useful for creating warm hues in a landscape painting.
How to make red
Have fun making orange and want to try another colour? Learn how to make red with our simple guide!
