What Colors Make Green?

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Do you want to know what colors make green? At the start of your color mixing journey, learning how to combine colors is a vital step. Green is one of the more complex colors to mix since it can have so much variation. You might think that mixing green is as easy as adding yellow to blue, but it’s not always that simple.

The simplest way to make the color green is to mix the colors blue and yellow. But is it possible to create different hues of green? Of course it is! This article will dive into various shades of green according to what’s known as Subtractive Color Theory. This is a system that makes it easier to both define and create colors.

Making Green With Different Colors

When you think about the color green in its most simple form, it’s really easy to make. According to the Color Theory, you only have to combine the primary colors blue and yellow to make it. Variations of the temperature or shade of green can be made by changing the blue to yellow ratio or by mixing other colors into the combination. 

The final result will also determine the initial shade of blue and yellow that you decide to mix.

How To Make The Color Green

Start by mixing a very basic blue and yellow. Mix around one part blue to two parts yellow. You may need to experiment with the ratio a few times to obtain a shade of green that’s closest to the typical hue found on a color wheel. You can try finding other kinds of green without adding additional colors, such as using a smaller amount of yellow for a cooler green or a warmer, brighter shade by mixing less blue.

Another great way of creating new shades of green is by mixing other colors. For example, you can add some white to the original combination of yellow and blue to make the tone brighter (with a little white) or much paler (with a higher amount of white). 

If you want a darker shade of green, like army green or olive, add some black into the mix of yellow and blue — or just substitute the black and leave the blue out completely! Another fun way of changing the shade of green is by adding different shades of blue and yellow or completely different colors like red, orange, and purple.

Making Specific Shades

As you can see, there are numerous ways to make the color green. You can combine yellow and blue together, mix in other colors, and even leave out one of the original colors. With a lot of mixing choices, there are countless ways for you to create shades of green. Below are a few combinations for creating specific green colors to give you a beginning point.

Olive Green

This color is named for the wise green hue of the olive fruit. Most people tend to categorize olive green as an “army color,” since it’s so similar to the color many troops wear.

To create olive green, you can start with a pre-mixed green that leans warmer on the color wheel and add some brown. If you don’t have access to a pre-mixed basic shade, simply mix a small amount of blue with a bigger portion of a warmer, brownish-yellow to achieve the earthy feel olive green is associated with, like Yellow Ochre.

To create a deeper, muddier olive green, you can also mix a tinge of purple or black. Adding red to the mix can also help neutralize green tones for a more subdued hue.

Lime Green

This neon color is a very well-known, bright, loud scream of a color that perfectly demands attention.

To make lime green, use a ratio of ¾ yellow and ¼ blue. We recommend a brighter yellow like Cadmium mixed with a softer blue. Avoid any yellows that have a bit of red in it as this may result in a duller green.

Yellow Green

Yellow-green is very similar to lime green, only slightly less vibrant and neon.

To create a standard yellow-green color, choose a cool yellow and mix it with a deep, slightly warm shade of blue, such as cobalt or ultramarine blue. Go a little heavier on the blue, as yellow-green describes a green with yellow undertones, unlike green-yellow, which is a yellow that leans green.

For a brighter shade, you may add in a smidge of white.

Forest Green

This deep, cool-toned green is perfect for landscape painting because, as its name suggests, it produces a hue that evokes lush forestry.

Mix equal parts of a slightly warm yellow and a deep blue to produce a medium, almost neutral green. From there, add more deep blue or a touch of black to your green base to emulate the dusky depth of forests. If you notice your green-leaning cool on the color wheel, you may also add a tinge of red to neutralize its temperature and darken it for a true forest green.

Teal Green

This blue-toned green reminds us of peace and warmth. Its deep, royal color is soothing yet strong, and makes a great accent or statement color.

The easiest way to achieve teal is by mixing blue with a pre-mixed green. Without one, start with a base that is half blue with a quarter portion of yellow. The other quarter will depend on the type of teal you are looking for. For a lighter teal, opt for mixing your blue with yellow-green and a tinge of white. For a dark teal, add a little red or black to your blue and yellow portions.

What Colors Make Green?

As you can see, there are a myriad of ways you can make the color green. Blue and yellow are the primary colors you need to make green, yet there are many combinations you can mix to create its other shades.

You should mix and match some of the shades you have learned here or make your own by experimenting using the basic concepts shown. Hopefully, you were able to learn some color combinations and ideas that you can use for whatever medium of creativity you’re planning to use.