Green pigments almost always exhibit extreme tinting strength. A single drop of synthetic Phthalo Green can swallow ten times its volume in organic red. Never start with equal parts; always build from the weaker pigment upward.
| Pigment Combination | Mixing Ratio (Red : Green) | Resulting Hue & Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Cadmium Red + Phthalo Green | 80% Red : 20% Green | Deep Warm Umber / Mahogany |
| Cadmium Red + Viridian Green | 50% Red : 50% Green | Color-Wheel Neutral Chromatic Gray |
| Venetian Red + Sap Green | 30% Red : 70% Green | Earthy Khaki / Muted Camouflage Green |
| Alizarin Crimson + Phthalo Green | 45% Red : 55% Green | Velvety Chromatic Black / Deep Shadow Charcoal |
To control your values precisely, deposit a nickel-sized pool of red onto your mixing surface. Using the corner of a palette knife, lift a pinhead-sized fleck of green into the edge of the red puddle. Blend thoroughly until streaks vanish. Check the swatch against white watercolor paper or a primed canvas board to evaluate undertone clarity before adding another micro-measure of green.