What Colors Make Brown?
Learn how to mix and create different shades of brown
Brown is created by mixing complementary colors together or by combining all three primary colors. It's one of the most versatile earth tones, ranging from light tan to deep chocolate. Brown represents stability, warmth, and natural elements.
How to Make Brown
Orange
Blue
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Orange and blue (complements) create rich brown tones.
Red
Green
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Red and green (complements) also create brown.
Red
Yellow
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Red and yellow make orange—add blue to complete the brown.
Brown
White
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Adding white to brown creates tan and beige shades.
Color Theory: Understanding Brown
Brown is essentially a dark orange or a desaturated version of warm colors. When complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel) are mixed, they neutralize each other and create brown. Mixing all three primaries also creates brown because you're essentially mixing complements.
Shades & Variations of Brown
Chocolate
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Orange + blue with extra red
Tan
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Brown with white
Beige
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Brown with lots of white and yellow
Sienna
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Red-orange with blue
Coffee
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Dark brown with a red undertone
Caramel
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Orange, brown, and white
Mahogany
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Red-brown with deep warm tones
Chestnut
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Brown with red undertone
Walnut
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Dark brown with slight gray
Espresso
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Very dark brown, almost black
Sand
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Light brown with yellow and white
Mocha
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Brown with gray and coffee tones
Pro Tips for Mixing Brown
- The easiest brown: mix orange with a small amount of blue
- More red in the mix creates warm, reddish browns
- More blue creates cool, grayish browns
- Burnt umber and raw sienna are classic brown pigments in painting