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To make maroon paint, start with red and mix in a tiny amount of blue at a time. Keep red dominant and stop when the mixture becomes a dark, subdued red. Add a trace of black for more depth, or white only if you want a lighter tint. Test small amounts first: the exact mix depends on the paints and medium.
What colors make maroon?
Red is the base; blue shifts it toward maroon. Asian Paints summarizes the method as: “The foundation of maroon is red. To create maroon, you start with a base of red paint and add a touch of blue.” Asian Paints advises adding blue gradually because too much can push the color toward purple. Black can deepen the mixture, but too much may dull it. White lightens maroon into a tint.
What you need
- Red paint, as the dominant color
- Blue paint, to add in small increments
- Optional black paint, for a deeper shade
- Optional white paint, for a lighter tint
- A palette, palette knife, and small test surface
How to mix maroon paint
- Start with a small amount of red. A small test batch makes it easier to adjust without wasting paint.
- Add a pin-sized amount of blue. Mix thoroughly before deciding whether to add more.
- Build the color gradually. Add blue in tiny increments, mixing each time. Keep red clearly dominant; stop when the red becomes dark and subdued.
- Adjust the depth if needed. For a deeper, browner maroon, mix in a very small amount of black. Use restraint, since black can quickly make the mixture dull.
- Make a swatch. Apply some paint to your test surface and let it dry before making a final adjustment. The appearance can change as paint dries.
How to make dark or light maroon
For dark maroon
First mix red and blue to reach a maroon hue. Then add a trace of black, mixing fully before adding any more. If you want a deeper, browner result, a little dark brown may also be worth testing; color recipes vary by pigment, so make a separate swatch rather than assuming a fixed formula.
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For light maroon
Mix white into finished maroon in small amounts. White creates a lighter, pastel-like tint; it does not deepen the color. If your mixture is simply too dark, add red first to restore the hue, then use white only if you also want it lighter.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why maroon paint ratios vary
There is no universal red-to-blue ratio. Pigment hue and strength, opacity, binder, and medium all affect the result. Royal Talens notes that the primary colors yellow, red, and blue can be used to create other colors, and recommends starting with small amounts to prevent waste. Royal Talens’ color-mixing guide also describes black as a way to tone colors down and white as a way to brighten them.
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Published recipes illustrate how much formulas can differ. John L. King’s historical guide lists “Maroon-brown ….. 15 red, 2 black,” “Maroon-Brown 8 bluish red, 1 blue,” and “Maroon; deep 5 black, 3 red, 1 Prussian blue.” John L. King’s guide gives these as recipes, not a standard formula for modern paints. The Color Atlas offers a different approximate starting point—65% deep red, 25% dark brown, and 10% blue—which should be treated as an experiment, not a guaranteed match. The Color Atlas.
For a repeatable custom color, note the approximate amounts and use the same paint brands and medium next time. If consistency matters more than mixing the color yourself, a premixed maroon paint is another option.
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How to fix a maroon mix that looks wrong
| What you see | What to try |
|---|---|
| Too purple | Add red and mix well. Use less blue in the next batch. |
| Too muddy or nearly black | Add fresh red; avoid adding more black. |
| Too bright | Add a minute amount of black, mixing thoroughly. Too much can dull the hue. |
| Too dark | Add red first to adjust the hue. Add white only if you want a lighter tint. |
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