Color Recipe Book: Shades of Red (Demo)

Color Theory
What is a Color Wheel?
A color wheel is a circular chart organizing colors by their relationships, like a rainbow in a
ring. Red, blue, and yellow are the bold pioneers, with their blended children—orange, green,
purple—filling the gaps. It’s an artist’s guide for harmonious palettes.
[Color Wheel: Six segments - Red (RGB: 227,0,34), Orange (RGB: 255,140,0), Yellow (RGB:
255,233,0), Green (RGB: 0,128,0), Blue (RGB: 0,35,102), Purple (RGB: 178,34,68).]

How to Use a Color Wheel

The color wheel is your creative map. For bold contrast, pick complementary colors opposite each
other, like red and green, perfect for a dramatic sunset. For a smooth blend, choose analogous
colors next to each other, like red, orange, and yellow, ideal for a cozy floral sketch.

Common Mistakes
• Overmixing Complements: Red and green can turn muddy—test small amounts.
• Ignoring Tones: Bright colors like yellow can overpower; adjust with white or black.
• Forgetting Context: Colors shift under different lights; test on canvas.

Do’s and Don’ts of Color Mixing

Do:
• Start with small pigment dabs for control.
• Clean tools between mixes for purity.
• Test mixes on scrap paper.
Don’t:
• Add too much black—it dulls vibrancy.
• Mix more than three colors; it risks murkiness.
• Rush layering; let layers dry.

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Types of Basic Colors
• Primary Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow—the roots of all colors.
• Secondary Colors: Orange (Red + Yellow), Green (Blue + Yellow), Purple (Red +
Blue).
• Tertiary Colors: Mix a primary with a secondary, like Red-Orange.
[Primary Colors: Three triangles - Red (RGB: 227,0,34), Yellow (RGB: 255,233,0), Blue (RGB:
0,35,102).]

Base Color Reference

These six colors are the foundation of all recipes.

Color Name RGB CMYK Swatch

Cadmium Red (227, 0, 34) (0%, 100%, 85%, 11%)

Practical Result: Warm, vibrant; mixes well with yellow.

Cadmium Yellow (255, 233, 0) (0%, 9%, 100%, 0%)

Practical Result: Bright; creates vivid greens or oranges.

Ultramarine Blue (0, 35, 102) (100%, 66%, 0%, 60%)

Practical Result: Deep; forms purples with red.

Titanium White (255, 255, 255) (0%, 0%, 0%, 0%)

Practical Result: Lightens hues; add gradually.

Burnt Sienna (138, 54, 15) (0%, 61%, 89%, 46%)

Practical Result: Earthy; ideal for muted tones.

Ivory Black (41, 36, 33) (0%, 12%, 20%, 84%)

Practical Result: Deepens; use sparingly.

Glossary of Color Mixing Terms

• Hue: The core color (e.g., red).
• Saturation: Color intensity.
• Value: Lightness or darkness.
• Tint: Color + white.
• Shade: Color + black.
• Tone: Color + gray.

Tools & Techniques

• Palette Knife: For precise mixing.

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 • Palette: Glass or plastic for easy cleanup.
• Brushes: Clean to avoid contamination.
• Technique: Mix small amounts, test, record ratios.

Color Mood Index

• Red: Bold, passionate—focal points.
• Blue: Calm—backgrounds.
• Yellow: Cheerful—highlights.
• White: Pure—softens hues.
• Burnt Sienna: Rustic—landscapes.
• Black: Dramatic—use sparingly.

Bookmark Icons
[Bookmark Icons: Three vertical bars - Red (RGB: 227,0,34), Blue (RGB: 0,35,102), Yellow
(RGB: 255,233,0).]

Shades of Red
Crimson Dawn
HEX: #E30022
RGB: (227, 0, 34)
CMYK: (0%, 100%, 85%, 11%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Crimson Dawn uses Cadmium Red.
Visual Mixing Ratio: Cadmium Red 100%
Cadmium Red Result
100%
Visual Mixing Equation: Cadmium Red = Crimson Dawn
Mood and Usage: Fiery, bold; ideal for dramatic paintings.
Alchemy Tip: Opaque; thin with medium for transparency.
Fun Fact: Made from cochineal insects historically.
History: Used in Renaissance robes.

Rose Ember
HEX: #FF6666
RGB: (255, 102, 102)
CMYK: (0%, 60%, 60%, 0%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Rose Ember = Cadmium Red + Titanium White.
Visual Mixing Ratio: Cadmium Red 70% | Titanium White 30%

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Cadmium
Titanium Result30%
Red White
70%
Visual Mixing Equation: Cadmium Red + Titanium White =
Rose Ember
Mood and Usage: Warm, inviting; perfect for romantic art.
Alchemy Tip: Add white slowly to keep warmth.
Fun Fact: Popular in Victorian floral paintings.
History: Inspired by rose petals.

Sanguine Glow
HEX: #B31B1B
RGB: (179, 27, 27)
CMYK: (0%, 85%, 85%, 30%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Sanguine Glow = Cadmium Red + Ivory Black.
Visual Mixing Ratio: Cadmium Red 80% | Ivory Black 20%
Ivory
Cadmium Red Result
Black
80% 20%

Visual Mixing Equation: Cadmium Red + Ivory Black =

Sanguine Glow
Mood and Usage: Deep, intense; great for moody landscapes.
Alchemy Tip: Use black sparingly to avoid dullness.
Fun Fact: Sanguine chalk used in Renaissance sketches.
History: Popular for flesh tones.

Vermilion Spark
HEX: #FF4500
RGB: (255, 69, 0)
CMYK: (0%, 73%, 100%, 0%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Vermilion Spark = Cadmium Red + Cadmium Yellow + Orange Glow (custom).
Step 1: Orange Glow = Cadmium Red 50%, Cadmium Yellow 50%.
Cadmium RedOrange
Cadmium 50% Glow
Yellow 50%
Step 2: Vermilion Spark = Cadmium Red 40%, Cadmium Yellow 30%, Orange Glow 30%.
CadmiumOrange
CadmiumRed Result
Glow
Yellow
40% 30%
30%

Visual Mixing Equation: Cadmium Red + Cadmium Yellow + Orange

Glow = Vermilion Spark
Mood and Usage: Fiery, dynamic; ideal for sunsets.
Alchemy Tip: Balance yellow to avoid orange shift.
Fun Fact: Vermilion was toxic, from cinnabar.
History: Used in Chinese lacquerware.

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Scarlet Haze
HEX: #C71585
RGB: (199, 21, 133)
CMYK: (0%, 89%, 33%, 22%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Scarlet Haze = Ruby Veil (custom) + Cadmium Red + Titanium White.
Visual Mixing Ratio: Ruby Veil 50%, Cadmium Red 30%, Titanium White 20%.
Ruby Veil 50%
Cadmium
Titanium Result
Red
White
30%20%

Visual Mixing Equation: Ruby Veil + Cadmium Red + Titanium White

= Scarlet Haze
Mood and Usage: Romantic, bold; perfect for florals.
Alchemy Tip: White softens; mix gently.
Fun Fact: Scarlet was a medieval luxury dye.
History: Used in royal garments.

Coral Whisper
HEX: #FF9999
RGB: (255, 153, 153)
CMYK: (0%, 40%, 40%, 0%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Coral Whisper = Cadmium Red + Titanium White.
Visual Mixing Ratio: Cadmium Red 60% | Titanium White 40%
Cadmium
Titanium Result
Red White
60% 40%
Visual Mixing Equation: Cadmium Red + Titanium White =
Coral Whisper
Mood and Usage: Soft, warm; ideal for portraits.
Alchemy Tip: More white for softer tints.
Fun Fact: Popular in Art Deco jewelry.
History: Inspired by coral reefs.

Rust Ember
HEX: #A52A2A
RGB: (165, 42, 42)
CMYK: (0%, 75%, 75%, 35%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Rust Ember = Cadmium Red + Burnt Sienna.
Visual Mixing Ratio: Cadmium Red 70% | Burnt Sienna 30%
Cadmium
Burnt
Red Result
Sienna
70% 30%
Visual Mixing Equation: Cadmium Red + Burnt Sienna =
Rust Ember
Mood and Usage: Earthy, grounded; perfect for landscapes.
Alchemy Tip: Burnt Sienna adds warmth.

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Fun Fact: Mimics oxidized iron.
History: Used in cave paintings.

Cherry Bloom
HEX: #DC143C
RGB: (220, 20, 60)
CMYK: (0%, 91%, 73%, 14%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Cherry Bloom = Cadmium Red + Ultramarine Blue + Magenta (custom).
Step 1: Magenta = Cadmium Red 60%, Ultramarine Blue 40%.
Cadmium Magenta
Ultramarine
Red 60%
Blue 40%
Step 2: Cherry Bloom = Cadmium Red 50%, Ultramarine Blue 20%, Magenta 30%.
Cadmium Magenta
Ultramarine Result
Red 50% 30%
Blue 20%

Visual Mixing Equation: Cadmium Red + Ultramarine Blue + Magenta

= Cherry Bloom
Mood and Usage: Vibrant, playful; great for pop art.
Alchemy Tip: Blue deepens; use sparingly.
Fun Fact: Inspired 1950s car designs.
History: Popular in modern ads.

Ruby Veil
HEX: #B22222
RGB: (178, 34, 34)
CMYK: (0%, 81%, 81%, 30%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Ruby Veil = Cadmium Red + Ivory Black.
Visual Mixing Ratio: Cadmium Red 75% | Ivory Black 25%
Ivory
Cadmium Red Result
Black
75% 25%

Visual Mixing Equation: Cadmium Red + Ivory Black =

Ruby Veil
Mood and Usage: Rich, elegant; ideal for portraits.
Alchemy Tip: Black deepens; mix carefully.
Fun Fact: Prized in gemstone art.
History: Used in Baroque drapery.

Blaze Petal
HEX: #FF4040
RGB: (255, 64, 64)
CMYK: (0%, 75%, 75%, 0%)

Swatch Row: RGB CMYK Practical

Recipe: Blaze Petal = Cadmium Red + Titanium White + Ruby Veil.
Visual Mixing Ratio: Cadmium Red 40%, Titanium White 30%, Ruby Veil 30%.

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Cadmium Ruby
Titanium
Red Result
Veil
White
40% 30%

Visual Mixing Equation: Cadmium Red + Titanium White + Ruby Veil

= Blaze Petal
Mood and Usage: Energetic, warm; great for illustrations.
Alchemy Tip: White brightens; adjust for vibrancy.
Fun Fact: Key in 1960s pop art.
History: Popular in modern design.

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Master Swatch Gallery: Shades of Red
No. RGB CMYK Swatch Practical Swatch RGB HEX
Swatch
Mood

1 (227, 0, 34) #E30022

Passionate

2 (255, 102, #FF6666

102)
Inviting

3 (179, 27, #B31B1B

27)
Intense

4 (255, 69, 0) #FF4500

Fiery

5 (199, 21, #C71585

133)
Romantic

6 (255, 153, #FF9999

153)
Soft

7 (165, 42, #A52A2A

42)
Grounded

8 (220, 20, #DC143C

60)
Playful

9 (178, 34, #B22222

34)
Elegant 8