Color Palettes

Yellow and brown: What Color Do They Make?

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Ochre

Yellow + brown = ochre. With more yellow you get mustard; with more brown, caramel.

Try it in the mixerCreate a palette with this color

More shades from the same colors

Mustard2 parts yellow + 1 part brownCaramel1 part yellow + 2 parts brownLight ochreochre + whiteDark ochreochre + black

If you mix with real paint

  • Start with the lighter color and add the other one little by little: the darker one usually takes over.
  • Does it look dull or muddy? One of the two contains a bit of a third color. Try purer paints.

Other color mixes

+=Red and yellowOrange+=Blue and yellowGreen+=Yellow and purpleDark brown+=Yellow and greenLime green+=Yellow and whitePale yellow+=Yellow and blackOlive+=Brown and whiteBeige+=Yellow and orangeAmber
See all color mixes →

Try this next

Name color paletteType a name and get your own color story palettePalette slot machinePull the lever and get a color paletteColor PlinkoDrop chips, bounce down the pegs, get a palette
See all free tools →

Frequently asked questions

What color do yellow and brown make?

Yellow + brown, in equal parts, make ochre. With more yellow it leans toward mustard, and with more brown, toward caramel.

What ratio of yellow and brown should I use?

Half and half makes ochre. 2 parts yellow to 1 part brown gives mustard; 1 part yellow to 2 parts brown gives caramel.

How do I make ochre lighter or darker?

Add white little by little to lighten it (light ochre) or a little black to darken it (dark ochre).

Is it the same with watercolor, acrylic and oil?

The result is similar. Watercolor looks lighter because the white paper shows through; acrylic gets a little darker as it dries.