Exploring Red

RED! It really grabs your attention, doesn’t it? Think stop signs, stop lights, hearts, flowers and red rocks. Our eyes naturally gravitate towards any bit of red in a painting. Red was also my Grandma’s favorite color, and I think of her when I use it.

When I first started getting serious about watercoloring, red was one of the things that puzzled me the most. Did I need a pure red on my palette? What about mixing? Today, I’ll share what I’ve learned so you don’t have to struggle like I did!

Red Is NOT a Primary Color

First off, red is not a primary color. Yep, you read that right! What we were taught in school was all wrong. A primary color is one that can’t be mixed from any other color — and red can be easily mixed from magenta and yellow.

A handwritten note titled "Exploring Red" features three paint blobs: yellow, a pinkish hue, and red. Below the blobs, the text emphasizes that red is "Not a primary!" and concludes with "Mind Blown!" in a casual, playful font. — Red is not a primary color since it can be mixed from yellow and magenta. Here I used Daniel Smith Azo Yellow + Winsor & Newton Quinacridone Magenta (PR122) to make this gorgeous red!

When I first mixed this my mind was blown! Try it yourself and watch the magic happen. (Best done with a primary yellow and a cool red. More on that below.)

Warm Red vs Cool Red

The next thing I learned on my watercolor journey was warm reds vs cool reds. A warm red is warm because it has a bit of yellow in it, while a cool red leans towards blue. This really comes into play when mixing secondary colors with red like oranges and purples.

Check out these two triads with a warm red vs a cool red — all other colors remain the same.

A set of watercolor swatches displayed on two white cards, showcasing vibrant color gradients. Beside them, a round color wheel sits in a metal tin, positioned on a rocky surface. — Triads comparing a warm red ( Quinacridone Coral, PR209) to a cool red (Quinacridone Magenta, PR122).

The warm red mixes the cleanest, most vibrant oranges, while the cool red gives the best purples. Diving a little deeper, this is because the mixing complement of orange is blue, so a cool red that leans towards blue will neutralize it and desaturate it.

Color swatches showcasing secondary color mixes. The top section displays various shades of purple, labeled with pigment codes PR122 and PR209. The bottom section features different shades of orange, also labeled with PR122 and PR209. Each section includes small dots of red and yellow.

The same holds true with purple: the mixing complement of purple is yellow, so a warm red that has a bit of yellow in it will neutralize your mix.

The Reds on My Palette

So, what are the reds on my palette, you ask? I’ve settled on a split primary system with Quinacridone Coral (PR209) as my warm red, and Quinacridone Magenta (PR122, Daniel Smith Quinacridone Lilac — always check your pigment numbers y’all) as my cool red. I mostly paint botanicals and landscapes, so these work great for me.

A vibrant sunset sky filled with shades of pink and purple, casting a colorful glow over a mountain range in the distance. Silhouetted desert vegetation is visible in the foreground. — Sunset at Kofa.

A watercolor painting depicting a vibrant sunset with shades of pink, orange, and purple. Silhouetted mountains and cacti are visible in the foreground, creating a serene landscape. — Quick study of the sunset at Kofa.

Quinacridone Coral (PR209) is perfect for sunsets and florals. I love it for fall leaves, too!

Swatches of watercolor paints on textured paper, labeled with names and pigment codes: DS Quin Coral (warm), WN Quin Magenta (cool red), and DS Quin Rose (cool). Each swatch displays varying shades of red and pink. — The two main reds I have on my palette right now are PR122 and PR209.

I prefer PR122 as my cool red over the more commonly used Quinacridone Rose (PV19) since the magenta runs a little bluer and is further apart from PR209. Plus, I can easily mix a rose with magenta + coral and the most glorious oranges with PR209 + Azo Yellow (PY151).

A watercolor illustration of a cactus with a textured, spiky body and vibrant pink flowers blooming at the top.

A stylized black and white cactus is surrounded by abstract red flowers, with a bright orange sun in the top corner.

I love the beautiful purples with PR122 + French Ultramarine Blue (PB29)! Note: I also use the other mixes in desaturated areas or to add details. There are no “bad” colors — there’s just the color you want to use! :)

Colors in My Palettes

Two watercolor palettes with vibrant paint blobs are resting on rocky ground, alongside a spiky cactus. Sunlight highlights the colors and shadows. — Red Pocket Palette and Folio Palette.

DS = Daniel Smith, H = Holbein, WN = Winsor & Newton

Folio Palette | DS Chinese White (PW4), DS Azo Yellow (PY151), WN Raw Umber (PBr7), DS Permanent Yellow Deep (PY110), DS Quinacridone Coral (PR209), WN Quinacridone Magenta (PR122), H Shell Pink (PO73, PW4), DS Venetian Red (PR101), DS Transparent Red Oxide (PR101), WN Cobalt Teal Blue (PG50), H Peacock (PB15), WN French Ultramarine (PB29), DS Phthalo Green (blue shade) (PG7), H Cerulean Blue (PB35), DS Indigo (PB60, PBk6)

A portable watercolor palette with bright red, yellow, blue, and purple squares. Above, a white mixing area shows swirls of pink and red paint. The palette is set on a textured stone surface. — A Red Pocket Palette featuring red paints.

A sleek red metal business card holder resting on a textured stone surface. — A Red Pocket Palette.

Red Pocket Palette | DS Quinacridone Rose (PV19), DS Perylene Red (PR178), DS Deep Scarlet (PR175), DS Quinacridone Coral (PR209), DS Organic Vermillion (PR188), DS Pyrrol Red (PR254), WN Quinacridone Magenta (PR122), H Peacock (PB15), DS Azo Yellow (PY151)

Putting It All Together

A white camper van parked on rocky terrain with dramatic red rock formations in the background during golden hour. — Our camp spot at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona. I love how the mountains light up at sunset!

Now let’s look at some reds in action, with this nature journaling spread from where I’m currently camping at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona.

A hand holds an open sketchbook featuring colorful drawings of desert landscapes and a cactus. The page includes handwritten notes about visiting Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona, with doodles and annotations expressing excitement about the location. Background shows rocky terrain and desert vegetation. — This nature journal spread used alllll the reds! The text reads: We arrived just as the sun was starting to set and the rocks glowed red/orange. Then, the sky turned the most beautiful pink. What an amazing place!

More Fun Reds to Explore!

Looking for a fun red to add to your palette? Try one of these:

Various paint swatches labeled "Fun Reds," showcasing different shades including Pyrrol Red, Permanent Red, and Peep Scarlet. Each swatch demonstrates a gradient of red hues from deep to light. — Some fun reds to explore!

Perylene Red (PR178) — this is a beautiful, clear red! Mix it with Phthalo Green for a velvety black.
Deep Scarlet (PR175) — Maria introduced me to this color and while I don’t always have it on my palette it’s really fun to use. I love the oranges that you get with it when mixing with yellow.
Organic Vermillion (PR188) — an opaque, deep warm red. The opacity means you can layer it over other colors and it will still pop!
Pyrrol Red (PR254) — another beautiful, clear red! I think this dries a little clearer than Perylene Red.

That’s it for this article — hope you enjoyed exploring red with me, and never stop exploring color!

A tall cactus with multiple arms and spines stands against a clear blue sky. — Cute saguaro!

A desert landscape filled with cholla cacti, illuminated by warm sunlight. The rugged mountains are visible in the background, creating a serene and natural atmosphere. — Morning chollas.

Desert landscape at sunset featuring silhouettes of cholla cacti with a warm, glowing horizon in the background. — Cholla cactus friends at camp!

A smiling person in a light pink shirt and a baseball cap stands on a hiking trail, surrounded by rocky terrain and sparse vegetation, with a mountainous backdrop. — A sunhat and backpack are a must!