Mixing Rose Colors

You’ll use: Titanium White, Magenta, Naphthol Crimson, Pyrrole Red
Nice add-ins (optional): Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue (GS), Yellow Oxide (or Naples Yellow), Burnt Umber, Dioxazine Purple
Glazing medium (recommended): Golden Glazing Liquid (Satin)

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The Core Idea

• Build rose from white. Reds are strong—start with a puddle of white and sneak color in.
• A “pinhead” = the tiniest touch on the knife/brush tip.

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Quick Rose Recipes

(Begin each with a quarter-size puddle of white.)

1. Cool/Ballet Rose
   White + pinhead Magenta → 1 Magenta: 6–8 White
2. Classic Medium Rose
   White + small touch Magenta → warm slightly with pinhead Naphthol Crimson
   Ratio: 1 Magenta: ¼ Naphthol: 6–7 White
3. Warm Blush Rose
   White + Naphthol Crimson → “whisper” Magenta so it stays rosy (not orange)
   Ratio: 1 Naphthol: 4–5 White + pinhead Magenta
4. Coral-Rose (sunny, but still “rose”)
   White + Pyrrole Red → cool back with pinhead Magenta
   Ratio: 1 Pyrrole: 4–5 White + pinhead Magenta
5. Dusty/Vintage Rose (muted)
   Make Classic Medium Rose, then mute with <1% of a micro-neutral
   (mix a dot Magenta + Phthalo Blue (or Burnt Umber) to dull, then tap in) → add White to keep pastel

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Steering Wheel (Fast Fixes)

• Too purple/cool → add Naphthol Crimson (tiny).
• Too orange/peach → add a whisper of Magenta or pinhead Ultramarine.
• Too candy-bright → add Burnt Umber (<1%) or micro-neutral; then more White.

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Handy Add-Ins (1-sentence guide)

• Ultramarine Blue: cools and gently grays pinks for soft shadows (toothpick tip).
• Phthalo Blue (Green Shade): strong, cooler; fixes “too peachy” fast (use a whisper).
• Yellow Oxide / Naples: antique tea-rose warmth; keep pastel with more White.
• Burnt Umber: quick, warm mute for vintage looks (<1%).
• Dioxazine Purple: deep, clean shadows as a glaze (see below).

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Glazing 101 (Acrylic)

What is a glaze? A see-through layer of color brushed over dry paint to add depth, warm/cool areas, or soften edges—without repainting.

Mix with: Golden Glazing Liquid (Satin) as your main thinner.

• Water is just for slip: keep water ≤10–20% total. Let the glazing liquid do the work.

Starting ratios:

• Standard glaze: 1 part paint: 2–4 parts Golden Glazing Liquid (Satin)
• Whisper glaze: 1: 6–10
• Stronger (still transparent): 1: 1–2
  Transparency test: Brush over printed text—if you can read it, you’re good.

How to apply:

1. Mix; load a soft brush; off-load excess on a towel.
2. Lay a thin, even film; don’t scrub.
3. Feather edges with a clean, slightly damp brush.
4. Let dry (5–15 min) and layer more glazes as needed.

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Rose Petal Glaze Combos

• Shadow depth (cool): Magenta or Diox Purple 1: 2–4 glazing liquid.
• Sun-kissed warmth: Naphthol Crimson 1: 4–6 glazing liquid;
  for tea-rose: stir in a pinhead Yellow Oxide.
• Cool-down glaze (fix peach): Ultramarine Blue 1: 6–10 glazing liquid (very light).
• Vintage unify: micro-neutral (Magenta + tiny Phthalo Blue or Burnt Umber) 1 6–10 glazing liquid.

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30-Second Swatch Habit

Make three 1″ swatches beside your reference: light mix, mid mix, shadow glaze.
Label the recipe (e.g., “Classic + pinhead Ultramarine glaze”). “Future” you will cheer.

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Troubleshooting

• Streaky glaze? More glazing liquid, plus a softer, larger brush.
• Cloudy look? Too much matte in the mix—Satin (or Gloss) gives more clarity.
• Mud? Use fewer different hues per area; let each layer dry before applying the next.

Brushes down, smiles up!
—Ginger Cook, Professional Acrylic Artist & Educator