Break Free from Predictable Colors with Annie O’Brien Gonzales
Many artists struggle with color, often feeling like they need charts, formulas, and scientific knowledge to mix correctly. But Annie O’Brien Gonzales (Ep.1) believes that color doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, by making just two simple adjustments, you can dramatically improve the colors in your paintings.
Many beginner artists use colors straight from the tubes. But the human eye gets used to these colors pretty quickly. If you’ve painted for a while, you can probably recognize certain tube colors instantly. That’s because they tend to be predictable—too pure, too saturated, and often not quite right for the painting.
But you don’t actually need super complex color mixes to fix this. Here are two simple ways to improve your colors.
Colors straight out of the tube can be predictable. Gonzales has an easy fix for that.
Two Simple Ways to Improve Your Colors
1. First, Mix Your Tube Colors
Before using a color straight from the tube, mix it with any other color—even just a little. This slight shift takes the color away from its predictable, mass-produced appearance and makes it more unique. You can mix in:
A touch of another color (warm or cool variations work well)
A bit of white or black
Even just a tiny amount of an unexpected hue
This subtle tweak will give your colors more depth and personality.
2. Mute Your Colors
If you want to tone down a color’s intensity, learning how to mute it is key. This doesn’t mean making your painting dull—it means controlling the vibrancy to create a more natural, visually interesting effect.
To mute a color, you bring it closer to gray by adding a tiny amount of its complementary color (the color opposite it on the color wheel):
Red → Add a touch of green
Blue → Add a touch of orange
Yellow → Add a touch of purple
These slight shifts create colors that feel more organic and harmonious while still being rich and engaging.
PUT IT TO PRACTICE:
Next time you reach for a color straight from the tube, pause. Try one of these two simple techniques:
Shift the color slightly by mixing in a touch of another hue.
Gray it down by adding a small amount of its complement.
These small adjustments will not only help you master color mixing but also make your paintings feel more dynamic, cohesive, and uniquely yours.