What colors make burgundy?
Short answer
Burgundy is created by mixing a primary red with a small amount of blue or violet to deepen the hue, followed by a touch of black or dark brown to achieve its characteristic richness. This sophisticated, wine-toned color relies on a base of deep red balanced by cooler, darker undertones.
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How to mix burgundy paint
Creating burgundy requires a methodical approach to color theory, as adding too much of the darkening agent can quickly turn the mixture into a muddy brown. Start with a vibrant, true red as your base, such as a cadmium red or a primary red pigment. Gradually incorporate a small amount of blue, such as ultramarine or phthalo blue, to shift the red toward a cooler, purple-leaning spectrum.
Once you have achieved a deep, wine-like red, introduce a tiny amount of black or dark brown to desaturate the brightness. It is essential to add these dark pigments in very small increments, as they are highly potent and can easily overwhelm the red base. If the color becomes too dark, you can adjust the balance by adding a small amount of additional red to bring back the warmth.
- Begin with a generous amount of pure red paint on your palette.
- Add a small dot of blue and mix thoroughly to check the color shift.
- Incorporate a tiny amount of black or burnt umber to deepen the tone.
- Test the color on a scrap surface, as paint often darkens slightly as it dries.
Why burgundy looks different in various mediums
The perception of burgundy changes significantly depending on whether you are working with light-based digital displays or pigment-based physical materials. In digital design, burgundy is defined by specific hexadecimal or RGB values, which rely on additive color mixing. On a screen, the color is created by combining red, green, and blue light, where the absence of green and the reduction of blue intensity creates the deep, dark red appearance.
Conversely, physical pigments use subtractive mixing, where colors absorb light rather than emitting it. When you mix paint, you are physically combining particles that reflect specific wavelengths of light. Because pigments are rarely perfectly pure, the resulting burgundy can vary based on the chemical composition of the red or blue used. This is why a burgundy mixed with alizarin crimson will look distinct from one mixed with cadmium red, even if the same blue is added.
Common mistakes when mixing burgundy
A frequent error is using a red that already contains yellow, such as an orange-based vermilion. Because burgundy is a cool, dark red, the presence of yellow will push the mixture toward a dull, brick-brown color rather than a deep, elegant wine shade. Always ensure your base red is a cool-toned pigment to maintain the integrity of the final color.
Another common mistake is failing to mix the paint thoroughly before assessing the shade. Streaks of unmixed blue or black can create the illusion of a successful burgundy, only for the color to shift unexpectedly once the pigments are fully integrated. Patience is required during the blending process to ensure the undertones are perfectly balanced. Avoid these pitfalls by following these guidelines:
- Avoid using warm, orange-leaning reds as your starting base.
- Do not add black in large quantities; use a toothpick to add tiny amounts.
- Always perform a swatch test on the specific material you intend to paint.
- Remember that acrylics and oils dry darker, so mix your shade slightly lighter than the target.
Best tools for color mixing
To achieve professional results, the quality of your pigments is paramount. High-pigment-load paints provide better control and consistency, making it easier to reach the exact shade of burgundy you desire. Using a palette knife rather than a brush is highly recommended for mixing, as it ensures that all pigments are fully incorporated without trapping air bubbles or leaving unmixed streaks in the bristles.
Furthermore, keeping a clean palette is essential when working with dark, intense colors like burgundy. Even a small amount of residue from a previous color, such as yellow or green, can contaminate the mixture and ruin the final hue. Use a glass or plastic palette that can be easily wiped clean, and keep a supply of paper towels nearby to clean your palette knife between each addition of pigment to maintain color purity.
How to adjust burgundy shades
Once you have created a base burgundy, you may find that it needs refinement to suit a specific project. If the color feels too vibrant or "loud," you can neutralize it further by adding a complementary color, such as a tiny touch of green. Because green is the direct opposite of red on the color wheel, it acts as a desaturating agent, effectively muting the intensity and creating a more sophisticated, muted burgundy.
If you find that your burgundy is too dark or lacks life, you can brighten it by adding a very small amount of white or a warmer red. However, be cautious with white, as it will quickly turn your deep burgundy into a dusty rose or mauve. If you need to lighten the color without losing the depth, consider using a transparent glazing medium instead of opaque white paint. This allows you to maintain the richness of the dark red while increasing the luminosity of the final finish.
Key facts
- Burgundy is a deep, dark red color that is primarily composed of red mixed with a smaller amount of blue or purple.
- To create a standard burgundy, start with a base of bright red and slowly add small amounts of blue or black paint.
- Adding a touch of yellow can warm the tone, while adding more blue shifts the hue toward a cooler, plum-like burgundy.
- When mixing with acrylics or oils, use a tiny amount of black to darken the red, as black is highly pigmented and can quickly overpower the mix.
- Always add dark colors to light colors gradually, rather than the reverse, to maintain better control over the final shade.
- Burgundy is named after the color of wine from the Burgundy region of France, which is typically made from Pinot Noir grapes.
The bottom line
To create the perfect burgundy, prioritize a cool-toned red base and introduce blue or violet pigments in small, controlled increments. Avoid heavy use of black or yellow, as these often shift the color toward brown or muddy tones. By testing your mixture on a scrap surface before applying it to your final project, you ensure the desired depth and saturation for your specific artistic needs.
People also ask
Is burgundy the same as maroon?
While often confused, maroon is generally a darker, browner shade of red, whereas burgundy has distinct purple or blue undertones. Maroon is created by adding brown to red, while burgundy is created by adding blue or violet to red.
How do I make burgundy lighter if I make it too dark?
If your mixture becomes too dark, add small amounts of white paint to lighten the shade. Be aware that adding white will turn the deep burgundy into a lighter, muted shade of pink or mauve.
Can I use green to darken red?
Yes, adding a small amount of green—the complementary color of red—will neutralize the intensity and darken the mixture. This creates a muted, earthy red rather than the vibrant, cool-toned burgundy achieved with blue or purple.
Why does my burgundy look brown?
Your mixture likely contains too much black or yellow, which muddies the red hue. To fix this, add a small amount of pure red or magenta to bring back the vibrancy and shift the tone away from brown.
What is the CMYK color code for burgundy?
In print, a common formula for burgundy is 0% cyan, 100% magenta, 100% yellow, and 40% black. These percentages can be adjusted slightly to achieve specific variations like wine, oxblood, or berry.
Does the type of red paint matter when mixing burgundy?
Yes, starting with a cool-toned red, such as Alizarin Crimson, makes it easier to achieve a rich burgundy. Warm-toned reds, like Cadmium Red, contain yellow and will produce a more brownish or brick-red result when darkened.
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