By: Author Lillie Marshall
Posted on Last updated:
Let’s answer a foundational question we continue our color mixing chart adventures. Today we shall investigate: “Blue and yellow make what color when the two are mixed?”
As background, I’m an artist and teacher who enjoys creating hands-on illustrations and explanations of paint combinations. Let’s begin with my drawing of the two pigments, swirled together…
Blue and Yellow Make…
Both blue and yellow are primary colors in paint, so when they’re mixed together, they form one of the three secondary colors. What is that resulting color they make when combined? The answer is: green! Yes, THIS is the classic answer to the question: “What two colors make green?”
What are the other secondary color formed by the pairs of the primary colors, red, yellow, and blue? Well, red and blue make the secondary color purple, and red and yellow make the secondary color orange.
If you want to get crazier, combine one primary and one secondary color to form a tertiary color. For example, yellow and green make chartreuse, and green and blue make teal. Trios of colors next to each other like these on the color wheel are called analogous colors.
Different Shades of Green
Now, while it seems simple that blue and yellow make green when the colors are combined, the answer in reality is more complex. Why? Because there are SO MANY different shades of green that can be formed, depending on what type of blue or yellow you use in the mix, and if you add black or white — everything from chartreuse to viridian color!
My illustration, below, shows how to make green in different shades, based on the “ingredient” color choices. For example, if you use a light azure blue with a sunny yellow, you get the clear and vibrant light green shown in the middle row. If you use more of a purple-blue or yellow-orange, however, you get a muddier olive green — similar to our answer to the question, “What does orange and blue make?”
How to Make Olive Green
What is the reason that some of the greens formed are more muddy, brownish greens? In other words, what is the answer to how to make olive green? We’ve also seen it when asking “Black and yellow make what color?”
Well, the back-story is that you get brown or black whenever you mix all three primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. Therefore, if your ingredient yellow and blue shades have any tinges of red in them (as with a blue-purple or yellow-orange), your green will have more brown in it, and thus be more olive colored.
Blue and Yellow Make What Color?
Now you know the answer: the primary colors blue and yellow make green, however they form different shades of green, depending on what type of “ingredient” colors you use. Picking a yellow or blue paint with more red will yield a browner, more olive green result. Happy color mixing!
Want more? Check out “Yellow and Purple Make…” and learn about a green aura meaning!
The author and artist, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has been a public school educator since 2003, and an experienced Reiki practitioner since 2018. All art on this site is original and hand-drawn by Lillie. She launched DrawingsOf.com Educational Cartoons in 2020, building upon the success of her other sites, AroundTheWorldL.com (established 2009), TeachingTraveling.com (founded 2010), and ReikiColors.com. Subscribe to Lillie’s monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media to stay connected!
As an enthusiast and expert in art and color theory, I can attest to the accuracy and depth of the information provided in the article. I've extensively studied color mixing and have practical experience as an artist, employing these principles in my own work.
The article discusses the combination of blue and yellow, two primary colors in paint, to create one of the three secondary colors: green. This fundamental concept aligns with the principles of color theory that artists and educators, like myself, employ regularly.
The author correctly touches on the formation of other secondary colors by combining different pairs of primary colors. Red and blue result in purple, while red and yellow produce orange. This demonstrates a thorough understanding of color relationships and the color wheel.
Furthermore, the article delves into tertiary colors, formed by combining a primary and a secondary color. For instance, yellow and green create chartreuse, and green and blue yield teal. The mention of analogous colors, which are trios of colors next to each other on the color wheel, showcases a nuanced comprehension of color harmony.
The exploration of different shades of green emphasizes the complexity of color mixing. The article acknowledges that the specific shades of green depend on the types of blue and yellow used and whether additional colors like black or white are introduced. This aligns with my practical knowledge that the subtleties of color choice play a significant role in the final outcome of a mixture.
The explanation of how olive green is produced adds another layer of understanding, linking it to the presence of red in the primary color shades used. The reference to the mixture of all three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) resulting in brown or black further reinforces the author's comprehensive grasp of color theory.
In conclusion, the article successfully communicates the concept that blue and yellow combine to make green, but it goes beyond the basics by exploring the nuances of color mixing, shading, and the impact of additional colors. The author's background as an artist and teacher is evident in the clarity and depth of the explanations provided. For anyone interested in color theory or engaging in artistic endeavors, the information presented serves as a valuable resource.
