The Magic of Mixing Your Own Greens in Watercolor

Why mixing is better?

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." - Pedro Calderon de la Barca

One of the most rewarding aspects of watercolor painting is the endless range of colors you can create with just a few pigments. And nowhere is this more exciting—or more important—than in mixing your own greens.

Instead of relying on straight-from-the-tube greens, I prefer crafting my greens from Cobalt Teal as the base. This single pigment opens the door to a spectrum of possibilities:

• Cobalt Teal + Cadmium Yellow → a bright, almost cartoony green—perfect for playful highlights or stylized compositions.
• Cobalt Teal + Yellow Ochre → a soft, natural green that sits beautifully in landscapes.
• Cobalt Teal + Indian Yellow → an intense, warm green packed with sunlight and energy.
• Cobalt Teal + Orange or Burnt Sienna → surprisingly earthy, muted greens ideal for trees, rocks, and shadowed foliage.
• Cobalt Teal + a touch of Purple → a deep, warm dark green that anchors your composition.

Why Mix Your Own Greens?

Beyond achieving better color harmony, the real advantage lies in the way mixed pigments behave on paper. Watercolor allows pigments to separate, settle, and granulate uniquely—something that doesn’t happen with pre-made greens. When multiple pigments interact on the page, they create mysterious textures, subtle variations, and organic depth that make your greens feel alive.

Tube greens tend to look flat and predictable. Mixed greens, on the other hand, shimmer with personality.

So the next time you reach for that ready-made green, pause for a moment. Let your pigments dance. Let them mingle. You may discover a shade that not only suits your painting—but elevates it.