Understanding Colors for Soap and Candle Making

In color theory, primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—are the foundation for creating other colors.

When two primary colors are mixed, they produce secondary colors: red + yellow = orange.

Tertiary colors are achieved by mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color on the color wheel, like red + orange = red-orange.

Mixing Ratios for Color Blending:

 **Secondary Colors:**
– Purple: 1 part red + 1 part blue
– Green: 1 part blue + 1 part yellow
– Orange: 1 part yellow + 1 part red

– **Tertiary Colors:**
– Vermillion: 2 parts red + 1 part orange
– Teal: 2 parts blue + 1 part green
– Lime: 2 parts yellow + 1 part green

Intensity, Hues, Shades, and Tones

– Hue: The pure form of a color (e.g., pure blue).
–Intensity: Adjusting the vibrancy of a color. To lower intensity, add a complementary color or gray.
–Shades: To create a shade, add black to the base color. Example: For dark purple, mix 1 part black with 3 parts purple.
– Tones: To create a tone, add gray to the base color. Example: To mute orange, mix 1 part gray with 4 parts orange.

Impact of your Base on final Color

When mixing colors for soap or candle making, it’s important to consider the **base** you are working with:

– Eco Soy Wax and Opaque Soap Bases (White): Since these bases are white, any color you mix in will appear lighter. For instance, purple may turn into a pastel lavender, or red may become pinkish. Always anticipate a softer, more muted color when using white bases.

– Paraffin Wax and Transparent Soap Bases: These bases are clear, so the colors you mix in will retain their original intensity. For example, red will remain vibrant red, and green will appear bright and true to the color you’ve mixed.

By experimenting with these ratios, you can achieve both vibrant and subtle color effects in your soap and candle making.