How to Deepen Red in Watercolor: A Complete Guide + Free Mixing Chart

Have you ever attempted to darken a red watercolor, only to result in a muddy brown mess? You're not the only one! Deepening red is a frequent challenge for watercolor artists, particularly when using pigments such as Cadmium Red Deep Hue. However, with the correct color-mixing approach, you can achieve beautifully rich, dark, and dramatic reds without sacrificing vibrancy.

In this blog, I’m presenting a step-by-step watercolor mixing chart that demonstrates how red interacts when combined with popular blues such as Ultramarine, Indigo, Cobalt, Cerulean, Prussian Blue, and Intense Blue, in addition to Violet. You'll find swatches, ratios, and actual examples from my video, enabling you to practice with your own palette.

Whether you’re painting florals, berries, fabric designs, shadows, or warm-toned animals, understanding how to deepen red will instantly elevate your artwork. Grab your brush and join me as we explore how to create deep red, maroon, burgundy, wine red, crimson, and plum shades—all using simple two-color mixes.

I have also also created a detailed video of creating this colour mixing chart.

Watch video here.

Download free colour mixing chart here

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Ultramarine Blue + Red (Classic Deep Red Mix)

Ultramarine produces a soft, muted maroon shade.

• Less blue: light lilac

• 50/50: deep berry

• More blue: cool wine-purple

Ideal for adding shadows to red flowers and garments.

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Indigo + Red (Dark, Moody Burgundy)

Indigo immediately produces deep burgundy and striking wine hues.

• Less blue: natural cranberry

• 50/50: vibrant burgundy

• More Than 50% Indigo: intense, midnight plum

Ideal for botanical shadows and evening scenes.

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Cobalt Blue + Red (Clean, Clear Maroons)

Cobalt mixes cleanly, giving you non-muddy deep reds.

• Less blue: warm mauve

• 50/50: clear plum

• More cobalt: soft violet-maroon

Ideal for fabric designs, children’s illustrations, and soft shadows.

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Cerulean Blue + Red (Muted, Vintage Reds)

Cerulean produces dusty, vintage-inspired reds.

• Less blue: muted lilac (great for painting white flowers)

• 50/50: smoky mauve

• More blue: cool dusky plum and dark violet

Best for retro palettes and muted artwork.

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Prussian Blue + Red (Intense, Powerful Dark Red)

Prussian Blue makes the deepest and strongest dark reds.

• Less blue: intense red-violet

• 80% red: bold maroon

• 50/50: powerful deep plum

• More blue gives a colour closer to Payne's grey

Great for strong shadows and dramatic artwork.

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Intense Blue + Red (Vibrant Deep Reds)

This mix gives you bright, saturated dark reds without dullness.

• Less blue: moon blue

• 50/50: deep violet-toned colour

• More Intense Blue: deep maroon

Perfect for bright florals and striking designs or painting an egg plant

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Violet + Red (Instant Plum & Wine Shades)

Violet is the fastest way to deepen red into plum, wine, and berry tones.

• More red: warm maroon

• 50/50: classic plum

• More violet: rich, deep purple

Ideal for berries, florals, and whimsical illustrations.

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Which Mix Should You Choose?

• For clean deep reds: Cobalt Blue

• For dramatic dark reds: Indigo / Prussian

• For vintage tones: Cerulean

• For bright, saturated dark reds: Intense Blue

• For plum & berry tones: Violet

Use these mixes anywhere you want deep red shadows, richer petals, darker fabrics, or elegant color palettes.

Final Tip: Avoid Black Paint

Mixing black with red often creates muddy browns.Instead, deepen your red using blues or violets, which keep your color vibrant and alive.

Grab your palette, follow the mixing chart, and explore all the beautiful deep reds you can create with simple two-color mixes.

Watch video here.

Download free colour mixing chart here