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Art

Mix It Up: Exploring Colour Mixing

Overview

Students explore how colours can be created rather than simply used, building understanding of colour relationships through hands-on experimentation.

Learning Objective
Students understand how primary colours combine to create secondary colours and can experiment to produce a range of new colours.

Resources needed

  • Paper
  • Paint (red, blue, yellow) or coloured pencils
  • Brushes or mixing tools
  • Water (if using paint)

Lesson stages

0 / 9 done
  1. 1 Introduce primary colours: red, blue, yellow.
  2. 2 Ask students: what colours do you think we can make from these?
  3. 3 Demonstrate mixing two colours to create a new one.
  4. 4 Students experiment by mixing different combinations.
  5. 5 Create a simple colour chart showing results.
  6. 6 Challenge: can you make as many different shades as possible?
  7. 7 Students create a small artwork using only colours they mixed.
  8. 8 In pairs, students compare results and discuss differences.
  9. 9 Whole-class reflection: which mixes were surprising?

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Limit to two colours only.
  • Explore adding white or black to change shades.
  • Turn the chart into a decorative pattern.
More information

Teach: mix, primary, secondary, shade, combine, create. Use frames: 'I mixed… and… to get…'.

Provide pre-mixed examples. Allow students to observe instead of mix if needed.

Can students correctly mix primary colours to create new colours? Can they describe the process?

Use coloured objects (leaves, flowers) to discuss mixing conceptually. No paint required.

Students may expect exact results every time or not realise mixing ratios affect outcomes.

Colour mixing is a foundational concept in art and design, supporting deeper understanding of colour theory.

Activity details
Primary Medium 30 minutes 5 mins prep Pairs, Small Group Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Colour Mixing Primary And Secondary Colours Experimentation Visual Understanding