If someone asked you to define the color teal, you would probably describe it as a bluish green, and that description is correct, but perhaps the teal version is lighter, more vivid, or more vibrant in your mind than in other people's. Experimenting with various acrylic paints allows you to mix and match and create a broad spectrum of teals to match what you want and ultimately to find the perfect teal tone for your art.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Choosing Colors
Step 1. Look for a good selection of blues
Blue is one of the primary colors you'll have to use to get the perfect teal. Artists don't have a consensus on which shade of blue to start with to make this color. Choose a shade of light vivid blue and a darker, more intense one (sometimes called “phthalo” blue), you'll have a better chance of creating the perfect color for you.
Step 2. Choose a vibrant green ink
Green is another essential color to make this bluish green tint. Don't choose a dark tone. A medium green, such as spring green or emerald, is a good choice.
Teal tends to be a little darker than its close cousin, turquoise, but its blues can bring out that rich, intense color quality
Step 3. Get some yellow paints
Again, artists do not have a consensus on which yellow to use to achieve the ideal teal. A light yellow will make the color very vivid, while an amber or burnt yellow will create a bolder and more intense hue.
Step 4. Use pure white for touch-ups
If the hue gets a little darker than you wanted, the white will help to lighten it up a little. A few drops of white ink can alter the color intensity and allow you to make small adjustments and changes.
Part 2 of 2: Mixing the paints
Step 1. Create a basic teal so you can work on it
Mix two parts blue paint, one part green and ½ or one yellow. No need to get it right the first time. Try to get more or less the desired tone and adjust as necessary.
- You can also create a basic teal using phthalo blue, adding some light yellow and small amounts of white.
- Paint brushes and spatulas can be used for mixing and painting. Brushes are good for mixing large amounts of paint, spatulas are a smaller and finer instrument for mixing shades. Choose one (or more than one) that works for you.
- If you want to do all the teal shades and temperatures you have in mind, you'll have to have a pretty big canvas for the task. If you want a smaller swatch, a simple color palette should suffice.
Step 2. Give color prominence by adding white
White is not just for getting a lighter tone. It also affects the opacity and complexity of colors. Put some color paint directly on the canvas and put some white on it to see how it will make the color stand out.
Step 3. Avoid putting black color into the mix
Even though black darkens any ink, it can also make it dull and more dull. Try adding a darker tone to one of the colors in the original mix for a similar effect.
Tips
- When in doubt, grab a few versions of each color to experiment with. Your experience will be your guide. As you improve as an artist, you'll find that you need less color than before to get teal.
- Inks change color when they dry. Make a few shades of teal and let them dry thoroughly before going all in one paint.