# How to Choose the Right Colors to Mix **URL:** \ **Category:** Art Medium Discussion and Questions\ **Created:** [November 6, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/how-to-choose-the-right-colors-to-mix/2520 "2022-11-06T22:04:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![William](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/william/32/2405_2.png) [@William](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/William)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/how-to-choose-the-right-colors-to-mix/2520/1 "2022-11-06T22:04:29Z")
I use FC watercolor pencils. I want to get realistic looking grades of color between parts of the picture, so that sails on ships have realistic changes. I have watched the VT videos Mark discusses but every time, he just says which color he switches to to make the change to a darker blend. But I don’t have those pencils that he has. How do I choose which ones to use? I could just trial an error the sketches and wait until I get the version I like, then use that combination on the final workpiece (and I am sure with experience, it will all become natural for me), but I would like to be able to choose the right color or at least a close one from the get-go. Is there a Rule of Thumb for seeing the blue shade in the pink donut? (I’m watching the pink donut video right now). Any advice or experiences in this are welcome. Best, Will ---
**Author:** ![Lori51](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d78d45/32.png) [@Lori51](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Lori51)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/how-to-choose-the-right-colors-to-mix/2520/2 "2022-11-07T20:37:20Z")
Hi Bill, I haven’t used water color pencils in forever. I use pastels. I always have leftover scraps of paper nearby to grab to test my colors on. Saved me lots of headache. Maybe this is something you could try. ---
**Author:** ![William](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/william/32/2405_2.png) [@William](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/William)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2022, 2:55am UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/how-to-choose-the-right-colors-to-mix/2520/3 "2022-11-08T02:55:54Z")
Great. I will have to try this out. I have tons of scrap paper from projects, all different kinds of tooth in the paper, so I can test how it works. I think that is going to be my only method. Primarily I was concerned with trying to emulate Mark on the videos and not having the color he says he is using. Maybe just find something similar in my pencils? ---
**Author:** ![Lori51](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d78d45/32.png) [@Lori51](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Lori51)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/how-to-choose-the-right-colors-to-mix/2520/4 "2022-11-12T21:09:01Z")
Using pastels and colored pencils, I am often substituting colors from what I see in reference photo. I believe if your values are correct, you will get a pleasing outcome with a similar color. ---
**Author:** ![Meme5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.thevirtualinstructor.com/meme5/32/6555_2.png) [@Meme5](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/u/Meme5)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2025, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.thevirtualinstructor.com/t/how-to-choose-the-right-colors-to-mix/2520/5 "2025-06-28T15:06:29Z")
Hello @William I agree 100% with @Lori51. My watercolor skills are slowly developing but my color swatching skills are much better! All this to say, making color swatches is a must for quick reference as one develops experience with any media, in my humble opinion. I have attached the link for a most helpful lesson about making a watercolors mixing chart that I plan on doing myself as I would love to expand on my watercolor skills myself. I create swatches of every media I own, tedious but so worth it! I hope you find this helpful. Sonia Alonzo AKA @Meme5 [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/7/74bb5bdda77fe968e714d47c273e60653303a559.jpeg "How to Create a Watercolor Mixing Chart") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpcHXlLM-Hk) ![IMG_5382](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/thevirtualinstructor/original/2X/2/23833db508b4fcfe78a677962cf41fe404df4ebe.jpeg)