Mastering the Art of Burgundy: A Comprehensive Guide to Mixing and Understanding This Timeless Color

Hello to all fellow art enthusiasts and color adventurers! Rebecca here, eager to share an exciting journey into the world of burgundy. This isn’t just a color; it’s an experience, a statement, and a touch of timeless elegance. Burgundy is a captivating ‘cool’ color that has consistently captured hearts, especially since a burgundy shade, Marsala, was crowned Pantone’s Color of the Year in 2015. From fashion runways to interior design, and even the vast spectrum of hair dyes, burgundy’s versatility is undeniable, boasting around 40 different hues. In this easy-to-follow tutorial, we’ll dive deep into creating various burgundy shades using acrylic paints, exploring simple recipes, delving into its rich history, and providing handy printable color charts to guide your artistic explorations.

Unveiling the Rich History and Allure of Burgundy

The name ‘burgundy’ itself conjures images of sophistication and depth, derived directly from the renowned Burgundy wine region of France. Its adoption into the English language as a specific color term dates back to 1881, cementing its place in our visual vocabulary. Burgundy is often perceived as a mysterious and magnetic color, possessing an uncanny ability to “draw you in.” Historically, it has been a favorite among royalty and the affluent, symbolizing power, luxury, and refined taste. Its widespread appeal today extends to diverse applications: from the captivating hue of lipsticks and the sumptuous feel of bed linens to the inviting warmth of painted walls and fashionable hair colors.

Far from being a singular shade, burgundy encompasses a spectrum of tones, shades, and hues. Before we delve into the art of mixing, let’s refresh our understanding of basic color theory, which is crucial for mastering this complex color. Burgundy refers to a family of colors including dark crimson, claret, oxblood, mahogany, merlot, cranberry, wine, dark red, purple red, and cordovan. The vintage Valentine image above beautifully showcases many of these rich variations, illustrating the breadth of this alluring color palette.

Is Burgundy Simply a Shade of Red?

While burgundy is undeniably rooted in red, its identity is more nuanced. It can also be perceived as a sophisticated shade of brown, infused with distinct purple undertones. In the realm of color psychology, burgundy holds a unique position; it’s considered less aggressive than a pure, vibrant red. Unlike the energetic urgency of true red, burgundy exudes power and elegance with a calmer, more grounded presence. Its composition includes both red and purple, creating a deep, rich, and undeniably sophisticated hue. Essentially, burgundy is a reddish-brown color elevated by subtle purple undertones. The mere mention of its name evokes a sense of luxuriousness, reminiscent of a fine French wine. Beyond its psychological impact, burgundy is incredibly versatile in painting, serving equally well as a foundational color or an elegant accent, adding depth and richness to any composition.

Burgundy vs. Maroon: Understanding the Subtle Yet Significant Distinction

There’s a common misconception, and a fair bit of friendly debate, surrounding the lush color burgundy, particularly its relation to maroon. Many mistakenly believe they are the same color, but this is emphatically not the case! While they belong to the same deep red color family, their compositions and undertones are distinct. Burgundy is fundamentally a cool color, born from a mix of red and blue, resulting in noticeable purple undertones. Maroon, on the other hand, is a warm tone, created by blending red and brown. This seemingly minor difference is crucial, especially for artists. You can observe the subtle distinction in the color swatches below. For those familiar with hex codes, maroon is typically #800000, while burgundy is #800020. In the RGB scale, maroon is defined as 128 Red, 0 Green, and 0 Blue. Burgundy, however, is 128 Red, 0 Green, and 32 Blue. This slight variation in blue pigment makes all the difference, creating a profound impact on the overall feel and temperature of the color – a nuance that is both noticeable and highly important to discerning artists.

Unveiling the Color Theory Behind Burgundy

To truly master the creation of burgundy, let’s review some fundamental color theory terms. These concepts are universal and apply to all colors, but understanding them is key to successfully mixing our desired burgundy hues.

• Hue: This refers to the pure, unadulterated color at 100% saturation. A pure pigment or pure color, hues are the foundation of our color palette.
  • Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, and Blue. These are the foundational colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors. They are the building blocks from which all other colors are derived. The proportion of primary colors in a mix fundamentally determines the resulting hue.
  • Secondary Colors: These are the three vibrant hues formed by mixing two primary colors together in equal amounts. They include Orange (Red + Yellow), Green (Yellow + Blue), and Violet/Purple (Blue + Red).
  • Tertiary Colors: A fascinating blend, tertiary colors are created by combining a primary hue with a neighboring secondary color. Examples include Blue-green, Blue-violet, Red-orange, Red-violet, Yellow-orange, and Yellow-green.
  • Neutral Colors: These colors are achromatic, meaning they lack a dominant hue. Black, Gray, and White fall into this category and are essential for altering the value and tone of other colors.
• Saturation: Often described as a color’s intensity, saturation refers to its brightness or vibrancy. A highly saturated color is vivid and intense, while a desaturated color appears duller or more muted.
• Color Value: This term represents the lightness or darkness of a color. It’s particularly useful for distinguishing between the various shades of burgundy, such as crimson (lighter value) versus mahogany (darker value) or merlot (mid-value). Manipulating color value allows for immense versatility in creating different moods and depths within your artwork.
• Tint: A tint is created by adding white paint to a pure pigment. This process lightens the original color, making it softer and less intense. Tints are often used to create a more delicate or ethereal feel.
• Shade: Conversely, a shade is achieved by adding black paint to a pure pigment. This darkens the original color, making it richer and more profound. Shades are excellent for adding depth, drama, and intensity.
• Tone: A tone is formed by adding gray (a mix of white and black) to a pure pigment. This addition reduces the color’s saturation, making it appear more subdued or dull. Gray is considered 0% saturation, so adding it creates a more muted, sophisticated version of the original hue.

Harmonizing Hues: What Colors Complement Burgundy Beautifully?

Burgundy, with its deep and sophisticated character, is surprisingly versatile when it comes to color pairings. As evidenced by the charming Butterfly Label above, it harmonizes beautifully with a wide array of colors. It creates a stunning contrast with shades of gray and lighter neutrals such as crisp white, creamy ivory, warm browns, soft beige, and earthy taupe. We are particularly fond of monochromatic color schemes at TGF, and burgundy offers a rich selection of similar hues that can be layered to create captivating depth.

Beyond neutrals, splendid combinations emerge when burgundy is paired with various shades of green, delicate pinks, other dark reds, radiant golden yellow, sophisticated navy blue, and vibrant teal. A personal favorite pairing is the striking combination of turquoise and burgundy, which creates a dynamic and appealing contrast. Here are some of the most common and effective colors that beautifully complement burgundy:

• Beige: A classic and elegant duo, burgundy and beige create a balanced aesthetic. Beige introduces a calming warmth, while burgundy provides a rich, captivating pop of color, making for a sophisticated and inviting palette.
• Yellow/Gold: Yellow injects superb vibrance and cheerfulness when used alongside burgundy. For a touch of opulence and grandeur, gold offers an unparalleled elegance. A sunny yellow shade can brighten the deep tones of burgundy beautifully.
• Green: Almost all shades of green, from deep forest green to light sage, work exceptionally well with burgundy. These combinations are inherently pleasing to the eye, mimicking the natural harmony found in landscapes like lush vineyards and autumnal foliage.
• Blue: The contrasting nature of blue and burgundy creates a captivating visual dynamic. Pale blue, medium blue, and especially vibrant turquoise offer striking pairings. Brighter shades of blue can be playfully invigorating alongside burgundy’s depth.
• Pink: With its inherent cheerfulness and gentle demeanor, pink beautifully complements burgundy. A particularly exquisite pairing is blush pink with warm undertones, adding a soft, romantic touch to burgundy’s intensity.
• Black/White/Gray: Each of these neutrals interacts uniquely with burgundy. Black introduces dramatic depth and an edgy sophistication. White provides a crisp, clean backdrop that makes burgundy truly pop. Gray, often seen as understated, comes alive when paired with burgundy, allowing the deeper color to shine and adding a contemporary feel.

To further inspire your artistic choices, I’ve curated two monochromatic color chip palettes from delightful TGF images. These palettes offer instant inspiration, allowing you to quickly select complementary hues for your art projects.

Mastering Burgundy: Practical Color Mixing Recipes

Your Tried and True Recipes for Creating Perfect Burgundy Hues

Burgundy is generally described as a deep reddish-brown with a purplish undertone, or simply a dark red-purple. The characteristic purple undertone in burgundy is a result of a specific balance between red and blue. However, it’s crucial to remember that we won’t be using equal amounts of these base colors, as that would yield a pure purple. Our goal is something far more complex and nuanced!

In this section, we will explore two primary methods for creating the core burgundy color, and then learn how to modify these mixtures to produce a variety of captivating variations. You’ll quickly discover the magic and ease of color mixing, learning to adapt your recipes with just “a dash of this or a pinch of that” to achieve precisely the shade you envision. For optimal results, we’ll primarily use warm reds and dark blues, as cooler blues tend to push the mixture too far towards a pure purple. A tiny touch of black can be added strategically if you desire an even deeper, richer burgundy.

Please Note: The appearance of colors on your digital screen can vary significantly based on its calibration. To assist your hands-on experiments, I’ve created a set of Printable Color Charts that you can Download as a PDF HERE! Keep in mind that printed colors may also differ from screen versions due to printer settings and ink levels.

For this tutorial, I will be using Cadmium Red and Ultramarine Blue acrylic paints. A palette knife is ideal for mixing your paints on a palette or a simple foam plate. While professional artists often mix by eye, feel free to measure your paints if you prefer a more precise approach. Remember, even slight adjustments in paint ratios can dramatically alter the outcome. Adding too much of one color can transform your intended burgundy into a completely different hue.

1. Creating Classic Burgundy with Red and Blue: To achieve a beautiful burgundy, begin by mixing two parts Cadmium Red with one part Ultramarine Blue using your palette knife. This combination forms the rich, deep foundation of burgundy. Observe the top rows of the chart below for a visual guide to this mix.
2. Creating Burgundy with Red and Violet: An alternative method to produce burgundy involves blending two parts Cadmium Red with one part Dioxazine Violet (Purple). This mixture also yields a stunning burgundy, often with a slightly different depth and purple intensity. Compare these mixes with the chart above to appreciate the subtle differences.
3. Modifying Your Burgundy: Tints, Shades, and Tones: Now for the exciting challenge! Let’s modify the burgundy colors you’ve created using the recipes above. The key here is to add new colors in tiny increments, always remembering that differing amounts will modify your results. It’s highly recommended to record all your color experiments and precise combinations. This documentation will be invaluable for replicating your favorite shades in future projects.
   • Creating a Vivid Burgundy Tint (Claret or Merlot): To lighten your burgundy, mix 1 part White into 2 parts of your first burgundy mixture. This process creates a beautiful tint, often resembling vivid claret or a bright merlot, adding freshness and luminosity.
   • Creating a Deep Burgundy Shade (Old Burgundy or Mahogany): To darken your burgundy, carefully mix 1 part Black into 2 parts of your second burgundy mixture. This deepens the color significantly, achieving shades akin to old burgundy or rich mahogany. Exercise caution with black paint; it’s potent, and it’s extremely difficult to lighten a mixture that has become too dark.
   • Creating a Muted Burgundy Tone (Maroon Tone or Bruised Burgundy): To create a more subdued, earthy burgundy tone, mix 1 part Gray into 1 part of your first burgundy mixture AND 1 part into your second burgundy mixture. This will produce a tone closer to maroon or a unique “bruised burgundy,” effectively dulling the vibrancy while maintaining depth.

Isn’t this an exciting and rewarding process? I wholeheartedly encourage you to continue experimenting! Play with differing amounts of any color to modify the hue, saturation, and value of your burgundy paint. Every slight adjustment can lead to a new, beautiful discovery. And always, always record your recipes when you hit upon that exact, perfect shade you’ve been searching for. Congratulations—you are now well on your way to becoming a true color mixing guru! YAY!

I hope you thoroughly enjoyed this comprehensive and easy-to-follow tutorial on “How to Make the Color Burgundy!” I had such a wonderful time sharing these insights that I’m ready to grab my paintbrush and start creating. If you’re eager to expand your color mixing knowledge, you might also like our guides on How to Make the Color Brown HERE and How to Make the Color Black HERE.

Beyond these tutorials, I also create engaging Photoshop Elements tutorials and craft project videos, which you can find over on The Graphics Fairy Premium Membership site. For more of my books, art, and whimsical shenanigans, feel free to visit my personal website – The Bookery.

May joy be with you all,