Last week we learned that red, yellow and blue are the primary colors that can make all other colors.  Now we apply that knowledge.

 

When you mix two primary colors, you get secondary colors.

 

green = blue + yellow

purple = blue + red

orange = yellow + red

 

Now comes the important part.   If you have a finish that has too much of one color, you add the color opposite to neutralize it, and a (mnemonic) to remember

Color opposites

Red <> Green  (Christmas)

Yellow <> Purple  (Easter)

Blue <> Orange   (sorry, you're on your own here, unless like me you are a University of Illinois Alumnus)

 

If you forget, just remember that the opposite of a primary color is a secondary by mixing the other two colors, and vice-versa.

 

So, for example, if your color is too red, you can add some green to neutralize it.

 

But in wood finishing, we have some "earth tones" that correspond to some of these colors

Red -  burnt sienna (brighter red) or burnt umber (darker red)

Yellow - yellow ochre or raw sienna

Purple - cordovan

 

The finisher's color wheel shows what happens when you combine two of its colors.

Unfortunately, unless you go to a non-big-box paint store, you are likely not to find these on a label, but rather, cordovan might be called "mahogany" or some other nickname.

 

Although I knew this is theory, it became apparent when in a refinishing class one of the other students was working on a table he'd brought in.   It was a really orange color after initial staining.   The instructor made up a pure blue glaze and smeared it on.   Immediately the ugly orange turned to a nice  brown.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 14, 20187 yr by kmealy

Bump.   I did this last week and "hid" it.  Unfortunately, when you "un-hide" it shows up as a week old post and not a new one.

That'll teach you to not hide things from us!

1 hour ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

That'll teach you to not hide things from us!

Well, I got on a roll and did three weeks at once. That and I screwed up my shoulder and did not do much in the shop.

I like your color wheel . The one I bought relates more directly to dye and no burnt umber.

DYE COLOR WHEEL

Thanks! Every week I learn new stuff!