Salmon pink is a gorgeous, soft pink shade that can add a pop of color and vibrance to any space. But getting the exact right hue of salmon pink for your project can be tricky. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to mix up the ideal salmon pink color yourself.
An Overview of Salmon Pink
Salmon pink sits between light pink and coral on the color spectrum It’s lighter and softer than a true salmon color The name comes from the pink-orange hue of salmon flesh.
Salmon pink can liven up everything from walls to clothing to craft projects. It works wonderfully as an accent color and pairs nicely with both warm and cool neutrals. The versatility and visual appeal of salmon pink make it a color that never really goes out of style.
But with so many potential color combinations, how do you pinpoint the perfect salmon pink for your needs? Let’s break it down.
Primary Colors for Mixing Salmon Pink
While there are many colors that can be blended to create salmon pink. three primary pigments are
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Red – A warm, bold red is the base of most salmon pink shades. Red creates the pink undertone and orange influence.
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White – White lightens the red to soften it to a pink. The more white added, the lighter the pink becomes.
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Yellow – Just a small amount of yellow brings vibrance and a coral tint to classic pink. Too much yellow makes the color more orange than pink.
The Salmon Pink Color Wheel
Understanding how colors interact on the color wheel is helpful when mixing any custom shade.
Salmon pink is a tertiary color, meaning it is made by combining the primary color red and secondary color orange.
On the color wheel, salmon pink falls between red and orange. Visualizing its position helps select the right mix of pigments.
Factors that Impact Salmon Pink Tones
The exact hue of your homemade salmon pink depends on a few factors. Here’s how each impacts the final color:
Amounts of Each Pigment
Varying the proportions of red, white, and yellow alters both the lightness and orange tones.
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More red makes the color deeper and cooler in tone.
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More white creates a lighter, softer pink.
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More yellow shifts the color towards peach and coral tones.
Types of Pigments
The inherent undertones of pigments change how colors mix.
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Warm red paint needs more yellow for a salmon pink.
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Cool red fabric dye needs less yellow than paint.
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Opaque white acrylic paint lightens more than translucent white watercolor.
Surface Material
The base material impacts the vibrance.
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Smooth, white surfaces like paper allow truest color.
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Porous materials like unfinished wood absorb more pigment for a muted tone.
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Colored surfaces like fabric tint the mixed shade.
Step-by-Step Salmon Pink Color Mixing
Now let’s dive into the specifics of blending salmon pink step-by-step.
Supplies Needed
Gather your pigments and mixing tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Red, white, and yellow pigments (paint, dye, etc.)
- Containers for mixing
- Brushes, sponges, pipettes, etc. to apply colors
- Test surfaces like paper, fabric swatches, or wood scraps
Mixing Procedure
Follow these steps to mix custom salmon pink:
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Start with 2-3 parts red pigment. Red is the color base. More red makes a raspberry tone. Less makes a melon tone.
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Add 1 part white pigment. Mix thoroughly. White lightens the red to pink. Add white slowly until desired lightness.
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Add 1⁄4 part yellow pigment. Mix in sparingly. Too much yellow makes orange. Adjust yellow to reach ideal vibrance.
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Test on surface. Swatch on test materials. Evaluate hue under natural light. Adjust with more red, white or yellow as needed.
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Adjust formula. Vary amounts based on test results. Remix and retest until color matches your vision.
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Record proportions. Note the customized color recipe to recreate it later.
Handy Measurement Conversions
Use these handy equivalents to measure out pigment proportions:
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2-3 parts red = 2-3 tablespoons or 30-45ml
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1 part white = 1 tablespoon or 15ml
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1⁄4 part yellow = 1⁄4 tablespoon or 4ml
salmon pink Color Matches
For quick mixing, here are some equivalent premixed colors for salmon pink:
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Acrylic paint: Blick Studio Acrylic Naples Yellow + Quinacridone Magenta
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Craft paint: Apple Barrel Canyon Pink + Wisteria
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Fabric dye: Rit Sunshine Orange + Cherry Red
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Frosting: Wilton Pink + Lemon Yellow + White
Mixing Tips for Perfect Salmon Pink
Follow these tips for foolproof custom color mixing:
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Mix in a plastic or glass palette for truest color results.
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Make the color lighter than needed since it will dry slightly darker.
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Start with a thick, creamy consistency for easier blending.
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Add colors gradually for subtle control over the hue.
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Stir, don’t blend, when colors are combined to avoid lightening.
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Check color in natural daylight for accuracy.
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Mix a large test batch to allow for sampling on multiple surface types.
Creative Uses for DIY Salmon Pink
You can use your custom-blended salmon pink for unlimited projects like:
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Add pops of color with painted furniture pieces.
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Liven up walls with a fun accent wall in salmon pink.
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Make crafty paper flowers in coordinating pink tones.
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Dye fabric like sheets, tablecloths or apparel.
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Frost cakes or bake macarons for a delicate finish.
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Tint lip balms, soaps or candles for gifts.
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Make watercolor paintings with pretty salmon colors.
Let your imagination run wild with all the ways to implement your new signature salmon pink!
Achieving the Perfect Color Match
Mixing the exact shade of salmon pink for your project may take some refinement. But with a little practice using the color wheel for guidance, you’ll be able to nail down your ideal hue.
Remember that color mixing is part science, part art. Don’t stress about perfection. Embrace the process of playing with pigments and enjoy bringing your own custom colors to life!
The next time your project calls for a lively yet soft shade of pink, skip the store-bought options and go DIY with your own made-to-order salmon pink. Just grab your favorite red, white and yellow pigments and get mixing!
Tips For Creating Salmon Pink Color Palettes
Designing with salmon pink can be both exciting and challenging. Here are some practical tips to help you create stunning color palettes:
- Balance with Neutrals: Pair salmon pink with neutral colors like white, beige, or gray to create a balanced and sophisticated look.
- Complementary Shades: Use complementary colors such as teal or navy blue to make the salmon pink pop and add depth to your design.
- Gradients and Ombres: Experiment with gradients and ombre effects by blending salmon pink with lighter or darker shades of pink and orange for a dynamic and eye-catching result.
- Accent Colors: Incorporate salmon pink as an accent color in your design to highlight key elements without overwhelming the overall aesthetic.
- Versatile Combinations: Mix salmon pink with earthy tones like olive green or mustard yellow for a versatile and trendy palette that works well in various contexts.
- Test and Iterate: Always test your color combinations on different devices and backgrounds to ensure they look great in all settings.
15 Salmon Pink Color Palettes
The Sunset Glow palette evokes a serene and romantic mood, with its harmonious blend of warm and soft hues creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.
Perfect for interior decor, this palettes defining characteristic is its ability to transform a living space into a cozy retreat, seamlessly integrating each color to enhance the overall aesthetic.
The Coral Reef palette, with its vibrant shades of coral and pink, evokes a sense of warmth and energy, making it perfect for designs that aim to capture attention and convey enthusiasm.
Ideal for product packaging, this palette can make items stand out on the shelves, while its lively hues are also well-suited for digital branding, creating a dynamic and engaging online presence.
The Blush Bouquet palette features dominant colors such as #FF91A4, #FFC0CB, #FF69B4, #FF1493, and #FF6F61, which collectively create a harmonious blend of soft and vibrant pinks.
This palette is particularly effective for wellness branding, as its soothing yet lively hues can evoke feelings of calm and positivity, making it ideal for creating a welcoming and serene atmosphere in eco-friendly interior spaces.
The Tropical Punch palette, with its mix of soft and bold tones, creates a distinct mood that is both vibrant and inviting.
Ideal for modern web designs, this palette can make digital interfaces feel lively and engaging, drawing users in with its dynamic color combinations.
The Rose Garden palette, with its harmonious blend of #FF6F61, #FFB6C1, #FF69B4, #FF1493, and #FF91A4, evokes a sense of romantic serenity, making it perfect for wedding themes that aim to create an intimate and enchanting atmosphere.
These colors work together to bring a touch of elegance and sophistication, ideal for luxury fashion campaigns that seek to captivate and inspire with their timeless and graceful appeal.
The Flamingo Dance palette, with its vibrant mix of #FF6F61, #FF69B4, #FF1493, #FF4500, and #FF6347, creates a dynamic and playful mood, perfect for bold event designs that aim to captivate and energize attendees.
In minimalistic branding, this palette can add a touch of sophistication and modernity, using its striking hues to create a memorable and visually appealing identity.
The Peachy Keen palette, with its mix of bold #FF6F61 and soft #FFDAB9, #FFE4E1, #FFF0F5, and #FFB6C1, creates a striking contrast that adds visual interest and depth to any design.
This palette is ideal for creative projects like magazine layouts or artistic websites, where the dynamic interplay of vibrant and pastel tones can captivate and engage the audience.
The Candy Floss palette, with its blend of #FF6F61, #FFB6C1, #FFC0CB, #FFDAB9, and #FFE4E1, can evoke a sense of calm when the softer shades are used together, creating a serene and soothing atmosphere perfect for spa branding.
Conversely, combining the bolder hues within the same palette can generate excitement and energy, making it an excellent choice for vibrant marketing campaigns that aim to capture attention and convey enthusiasm.
The Summer Sorbet palette, with its mix of softer tones like #FF7F50 and brighter hues such as #FF1493, creates a vibrant yet soothing atmosphere that can evoke feelings of warmth and joy.
This blend is perfect for seasonal promotions, as its lively colors can capture attention and convey a sense of excitement, making it ideal for summer-themed marketing campaigns or festive home decor.
The Petal Pink palette, with its harmonious blend of #FF6F61, #FF91A4, #FFC0CB, #FFDAB9, and #FFE4E1, creates a visual flow that evokes feelings of joy and tranquility, making it perfect for designs that aim to soothe and uplift.
This palette is ideal for lifestyle branding, where its calming yet vibrant hues can enhance the emotional appeal of wellness products, or for tech product packaging, where the soft and inviting colors can make gadgets feel more approachable and user-friendly.
The Coral Charm palette, with its vibrant mix of #FF6F61, #FF7F50, #FF6347, #FF4500, and #FF8C69, creates a welcoming effect by blending warm and inviting tones that can make any space feel cozy and approachable.
This palette shines in boutique interiors, where its dramatic hues can enhance the shopping experience by creating a visually stimulating and luxurious atmosphere that captivates and delights customers.
The hues in the Blushing Bride palette interact harmoniously, with the soft #FFB6C1 and #FF91A4 balancing the vibrant #FF69B4 and #FF1493, creating a visually appealing contrast that feels both lively and elegant.
This palette is fitting for casual apparel lines, where the blend of soft and bold pinks can create a fresh and trendy look that appeals to a wide audience.
The Pink Lemonade palette, with its blend of warm #FF6F61 and cool #FFDAB9, #FFE4E1, #FFF0F5, and #FFB6C1, creates a refreshing and balanced mood that feels both invigorating and soothing.
This palette is perfect for artisan product branding, where its harmonious mix of tones can evoke a sense of handcrafted quality and modern elegance, making products stand out with a unique and appealing visual identity.
The Rosy Cheeks palette, with its dynamic interplay of bold #FF6F61 and subtle #FFE4E1, creates a visually engaging contrast that can add both vibrancy and softness to any design.
This palette is particularly effective for festival marketing, where its lively and inviting hues can capture attention and convey a sense of excitement and celebration.
The Coral Sunset palette, with its blend of #FF6F61, #FF7F50, #FF6347, #FF4500, and #FF1493, conveys a sense of harmony when used in gradient designs, creating a seamless transition that evokes warmth and unity.
For tech startups, this palette can add a vibrant and modern touch to branding, while in cozy interior makeovers, its contrasting hues can create focal points that enhance the overall aesthetic and make spaces feel inviting and dynamic.
Salmon color | How to Make Soft Salmon Pink Color | Color Mixing – Acrylic & Oil paint
FAQ
What colors to mix to get salmon pink?
Basic Formula: Start with red and add white to create pink. Then, mix in some orange to achieve that warm, soft salmon hue. Mixing Colors: Coral is typically made by mixing pink and orange together. Basic Formula: Use a base of pink (red + white). Gradually mix in orange until you reach the desired coral shade.
What gives salmon a pink color?
Wild salmon take in astaxanthin from eating algae, krill, and other small crustaceans; while farmed salmon have this vitamin mixed in with their food. Asataxathin is a dietary supplement in salmon feed to obtain the desired pink to red-orange color in the fish’s flesh.