A Simpler Way to Learn Watercolor Color Mixing
- DeElla Hoberg
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
One of the biggest hurdles for new watercolor painters isn't learning how to use a brush—it's learning how to mix colors.
In my beginner watercolor classes, we recently explored the traditional color wheel using our warm and cool primary colors. While the color wheel is a wonderful tool, I noticed that for some students it felt a little overwhelming. They were so focused on understanding the wheel that it became harder to simply observe what their paints were doing.
That's when I introduced another exercise that I often use in class: a linear color mixing chart.
Instead of arranging colors in a circle, we mix each warm and cool primary with the others in a simple chart. The result is easy to compare and much more practical for everyday painting.
As you create the chart, you'll quickly begin to notice:
Which color combinations produce bright, vibrant mixtures.
Which combinations create softer, more neutral colors.
How warm and cool versions of the same primary behave differently.
Which mixtures you'll reach for again and again in your paintings.
For me, the goal isn't memorizing color theory.
The goal is becoming familiar with your paints.
Every brand and every pigment behaves a little differently. The best way to build confidence is by mixing your own colors and seeing the results firsthand. A simple chart becomes a reference you'll return to every time you paint.
Watch the Video
In this week's YouTube lesson, I'll walk you through the exact exercise I use with my own beginner students.
Whether you're just beginning your watercolor journey or you've been painting for years, spending an hour creating your own mixing chart is one of the best investments you can make.
Happy painting!
DeElla Hoberg
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