You can’t always have all the colors when painting. In these situations, your only option will be to combine two or more hues to make the missing color. Do you know how one can make paint in navy blue in such conditions?
Practically speaking, navy blue is a far darker variant of the original shade. As a result, adding blue to any very dark paint will give you a shade that mimics navy blue. To produce your own navy-blue paint, you can use orange, purple, ultramarine, or even black.
We’ll go over the fundamentals of how to make navy blue paint in this tutorial.
Which colors make navy blue?
Without understanding the basics of color theory, you won’t be able to say “Eureka” loudly while doing a “scientific color experiment.” So let’s take a look at the theory before we get into the specifics of how to create a navy blue shade.
The color theory is easy to understand. We have simplified it for you so you can quickly understand it.
In simple words, most of the colors that appear around us relate to the color theory. This approach indicates how they complement, contrast, or match one another. In general, all the shades/colors we see around us are categorized into three types-
- Primary,
- Secondary
- Tertiary colors
1. Primary colors:
You can call the primary colors, the root of all shades/colors whatever color you see around you. Red, blue, and yellow are three primary colors that are the origin of all the colors in the world.
2. Secondary colors:
Any of the two primary colors are combined to create secondary colors. The number of secondary colors is three, much like the number of main colors: green, orange, and purple.
3. Tertiary colors:
When a primary color and a secondary color are combined, the tertiary colors are produced. Six tertiary colors are out there: red-violet, red-orange, yellow-orange, blue-green, and green-yellow.
You now understand the basic concepts of color theory. It’s time to learn what hues blend to make navy blue.
Note: Navy Blue’s Primary Colors
Neither the primary color nor the secondary color is navy blue. As a result, you must mix your colors to get a deep navy-blue shade.
Utilizing different combinations of two of these three colors (orange, black & pure blue), you can create a navy blue tint.
Which two colors make navy blue?
As we already mentioned, navy blue is created by mixing pure blue with either orange or black. To achieve the first combination, just combine a pure blue shade with black to produce a deep navy blue tint. This is the easiest technique for creating a navy blue tint.
You’ll need the following supplies to produce navy blue paint at home:
- Blue color:
This can be any blue pigment, including Prussian blue or ultramarine blue. You can buy pigments from an art supply store. Even you can try to make your paint utilizing natural ingredients like indigo or blueberry juice.
- Black pigment:
This can refer to any kind of black pigment, including a lamp or carbon black. Similar to the blue pigment, you can buy pigments at an art supply store or make your own using materials (coffee grounds or charcoal).
- Base paint:
This is the base paint which is the carrier of the pigment. Any kind of paint, including acrylic, oil, or watercolor, can be used for this. Pick a light neutral hue or a white base paint for the best results.
- Container:
Any form of vessel that is big enough to hold the paint can be used as a mixing container like a jar, bowl, or plastic cup. Make sure that you mix up your desired shade in whatever quantity you want at once. Since the amount of paint you need will depend on the size of the container. If you aren’t very careful when mixing the pigments, it’s tough to get the same hue the next time.
- Mixing tool:
Any kind of tool that works well for mixing paint can be used as a mixing tool. It can be a stir stick, a palette knife, or a brush. Make sure the paint is properly mixed. Thus, it helps you to paint nicely. You can use any of these mixing tools to do this.
You can follow these steps to make the navy blue paint:
Step 1:
To begin, add a little blue pigment to the base paint. To create the desired shade of blue, start with a little amount of pigment and add more over time.
Step 2:
Add a small amount of black pigment in step two. To get the perfect shade of navy blue, keep adjusting the amount of black pigment.
Step 3:
Transfer the paint to a storage container if you are satisfied with the color. Don’t forget to write the date and the ingredients on the container’s label. For future use, it would be helpful that you note the ingredients.
Step 4:
Stir the paint properly before applying it when you’re ready. If the paint is excessively thick, you may need to thin it with water or other liquid. Just be sure to use the right stuff for the base paint. If it’s water-based, use water; if it’s oil-based, use suitable solvents.
Step 5:
Appropriately apply your navy-blue paint to how you think. Try to follow the given application guidelines for the surface you’re painting. Enjoy your DIY paint!
Note: To get the precise navy-blue hue, you may want to experiment with different ratios of blue and black paints.
You can also experiment with using other pigments or substances. Either use white to soften the hue or glaze media to provide a glossy finish. Enjoy yourself and use your imagination!
FAQS
1) How can you make navy blue without black?
Purple, green, and brown are some alternative hues that could be used to make navy blue. When these colors are combined with blue, different undertones and hues of navy blue may form. To get the required navy blue color, experiment with various tints of these hues.
2) Navy blue or royal blue? Which one is darker?
Compared to royal blue, navy blue tends to be a darker hue of the color. Royal blue is a brighter, more vibrant blue with a red or purple undertone, whereas navy blue is a deep, rich blue that nearly looks like black.
3) Do cobalt and navy blue have the same hue?
Navy blue and cobalt blue are not the same shade of blue. You will notice navy blue is a rich, dark blue that is almost black whereas cobalt blue is a brilliant, bright blue with a strong red or purple undertone. Generally speaking, cobalt blue is thought to be a brighter and more appealing color than navy blue. It is usually used as a background or neutral color. Cobalt and navy blue are found in a wide range of tints, so it is possible to find out variants of both colors that are closest in hue.
The bottom line
You’ll create the ideal navy blue in no time if you keep this advice in mind. Use this classic color as you like and don’t be afraid to play around with other hues.