What Colors Make Burgundy?
Red with a little blue and a speck of black makes burgundy. The blue is what separates burgundy from maroon — it gives that wine-like purple lean.
Red + Blue + Black = Burgundy
Red
8 parts
Blue
1 part
Black
a speck
Burgundy
Mix the red and blue to a deep wine first, then use black only to set the final depth.
Red + Purple + Brown = Burgundy
Red
5 parts
Purple
1 part
Brown
1 part
Burgundy
Brown instead of black keeps the mix rich rather than flat. This is the closest to a true Bordeaux.
Red + Green (a speck) = Burgundy
Red
10 parts
Green
a speck
Burgundy
Green is red’s complement, so a speck darkens and deepens it. Follow with a touch of blue for the purple cast.
Adjusting your burgundy
To lighten: Add white for dusty rose and mauve, or red for a brighter wine.
To darken: Add more black or blue for oxblood and deep merlot.
To mute or soften: Add a speck of green to soften the red without losing the depth.
Mixing paint vs. mixing light
The recipes above describe subtractive mixing — how paint, ink and pigment behave. Each pigment absorbs part of the spectrum, so the more you add, the darker the mixture gets.
Screens work the opposite way, using additive mixing with red, green and blue light: the more you add, the brighter it gets. With light (RGB), burgundy is a dark red with a slight blue lean — low red light, almost no green, and a trace of blue, e.g. #6E1830.
Frequently asked about making burgundy
What colors make burgundy?
Red with a little blue and a speck of black makes burgundy. The blue is what separates burgundy from maroon — it gives that wine-like purple lean.
What two colors make burgundy?
Red + Blue + Black makes burgundy. Mix the red and blue to a deep wine first, then use black only to set the final depth.
How do you make burgundy lighter or darker?
Add white for dusty rose and mauve, or red for a brighter wine. Add more black or blue for oxblood and deep merlot.
Is mixing burgundy paint the same as mixing burgundy light?
No. Paint mixes subtractively while light mixes additively. With light (RGB), burgundy is a dark red with a slight blue lean — low red light, almost no green, and a trace of blue, e.g. #6E1830.