Color is more than just paint on a canvas—it’s a complex visual experience influenced by light, surroundings, and even your own brain. If you’ve ever mixed a color perfectly on your palette only for it to look completely different on your canvas, you’re not alone! Understanding how color actually works (and how to avoid common pitfalls) is a game-changer for artists of all levels.
Let’s dive into the science of color perception, the illusions that trick your eyes, and practical painting techniques to help you mix and use color more confidently.
Why Does Color Look Different in Different Settings?
Ever held a paint swatch up to your wall and wondered why it looks different than it did in the store? That’s because color perception is not absolute—it’s influenced by the environment, lighting, and how our brains interpret visual information. Here’s why:
1. Colors Change Depending on Their Surroundings
This is called simultaneous contrast. A neutral gray can appear warm when surrounded by blue but cooler when placed next to orange. This is why choosing paint colors for a room—or colors for a painting—can sometimes feel impossible!
2. Lighting Matters—A Lot
Natural light brings out the true color of paint, while artificial lighting can shift hues significantly. Warm-toned bulbs make colors appear more yellow or red, while cool-toned lighting can add a blue cast. That’s why your painting might look perfect in your studio but totally different when viewed in another setting.
3. Shadows Are More Colorful Than You Think
Most beginners assume shadows are just darker versions of their surroundings, but shadows actually reflect nearby colors. A tree’s shadow might contain hints of blue, purple, or even red—depending on what’s around it.
The Biggest Color Mistakes Artists Make (And How to Fix Them!)
Mistake #1: Only Using Tube Colors Without Mixing
Sure, it’s easy to grab a tube of green and start painting, but pre-mixed colors often look flat or unnatural. Instead, mix your own greens by blending yellow and blue, then adjust with red or burnt sienna for a more natural look.
Mistake #2: Forgetting About Color Temperature
Warm colors (reds, oranges, yellows) naturally move forward in a painting, while cool colors (blues, greens, purples) recede. If your painting feels “off,” check to see if your warm and cool colors are balanced properly.
Mistake #3: Overlooking How Colors Interact
When colors are placed next to each other, they influence how we see them. If your shadows look too dull, try adding a hint of the complementary color to make them more dynamic.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the Science of Purple
Did you know that scientifically purple doesn’t exist? It’s not part of the visible light spectrum—our brains create it as an interpretation of mixed wavelengths. Crazy, right? If you don’t believe me, check out this fun optical illusion: Is My Blue?
How to Master Color Mixing in Your Paintings
Test Colors in Different Lighting: Before committing to a color, check it under natural daylight and artificial lighting to see how it shifts.
Use Color Swatches: Compare your mixed colors to a swatch or reference photo to make sure you’re getting the exact shade you want.
Step Back from Your Painting: Sometimes, taking a few steps back or viewing your work in a mirror can reveal color imbalances you didn’t notice up close.
Mix Colors with Intention: Instead of guessing, learn the principles of color mixing so you always know exactly how to adjust your hues.
Want to Take the Mystery Out of Color Mixing?Understanding color doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Acrylics 101 is the perfect course for beginner and intermediate painters who want to learn how to mix colors with confidence—so you can stop relying on trial and error and start creating beautiful, intentional paintings.
I was stopped a bit by the statement::
Natural light brings out the true color of paint, while artificial lighting can shift hues significantly.
Isn’t it true that even in natural light the time of day can shift the light, and hence how warm or cool a color appears. From my photography and photo editing experience, I often have to adjust for evening light which can be considerably warmer than noon light…kinda like the difference between 2700°K and 4200°k LEDs….right??? …or am I missing your point?
Absolutely! Light can shift throughout the day as well as in different places. I’ve personally noticed, for example, that the UK has a much cooler, bluer light and southern California has a much more golden quality to the light, even in the middle of the day!