Comments on: How to make a perfect purple with watercolor

By: Anthony

Anthony — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 06:46:02 +0000

In reply to Angela.

Well spotted Anglea – Thanks! I’ve fixed it…

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:44:59 +0000

I’m apparently late to the game—your blog has been around for years and I’ve just discovered it! I’ve only been playing with watercolors for about six months though, so I’m thrilled to have found you so early in my exploration of watercolors! I could echo everyone’s praise about how clearly you explain things like color theory—and demonstrate, too. I love listening to you talk while watching you paint.

I’ve been an editor more than an artist most of my life, and I’ve found something that might be a typo, or maybe I’m just misunderstanding because I’m new? Under the color chart, there’s the line: “In a similar way, French Ultramarine is closer to red and further away from green. This makes French Ultramarine a warm red.” Shouldn’t this be ‘…makes French Ultramarine a warm *blue*’? Color names make me crazy! (facepalm)

By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 07:03:56 +0000

In reply to margaret. Thanks Margaret! Happy to help :-)

By: margaret

margaret — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 01:55:37 +0000

In reply to Judy Baker.

Hi, Judy. I am 90 and have taken my first watercolor class. I am so happy for both of us. Was looking for ways to create a lovely purple and am so happy to find you and Anthony. I am a retired art teacher…all ages…and always steered clear of watercolor painting knowing what a huge challenge it is. Hugs to you and Anthony.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 13:28:40 +0000

In reply to Judy Baker.

Hi Judy
Thanks! I’m happy to hear you’re getting started on your watercolor journey 🙂

By: Judy Baker

Judy Baker — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 19:54:45 +0000

Hello. I am a beginning watercolorist (age 83) and found your article the best I’ve ever read on color theory. Frankly the other books I’ve read were never so clear as you. Thank you so very much, Judy Baker

PS looking forward to green colo mix

By: watercol

watercol — Fri, 15 May 2020 07:05:44 +0000

In reply to Michelle. Try mixing Ultramarine with a cool red such as Quinachridone rose - you'll get lovely purple colors. Ultramarine is a granulating paint which is why you see the pigments separate when you let them dry.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 07:09:17 +0000

Thank you for this article! I was wondering why my purple ended up being so ugly and brownish.

I used Daniel Smith Pyrrol Scarlet and French Aquamarine and I didn’t get that homogeneous purple that you did in this article though. Instead, my colors separated out on the paper: blue sitting on top of the orange red. I’m not quite sure what I did wrong! I achieved a semblance of purple while mixing.

By: watercol

watercol — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 08:02:25 +0000

In reply to Ming.

Hi Ming – Yes green can be a tricky color to mix as well – I’ll put together an article about this soon…

By: Ming

Ming — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 07:12:31 +0000

Purple is totally my dilemma!! Thanks for sharing this and letting me know it is not only my problem 😀

Green is also another headache for me, never seem to find a green that is suitable. I’ll try these theory and tips for purple to tackle green! Can you write something about green too?