Color Recipes eBook

$17.99

“When I started painting, I bought a set of paints like everyone does, a beginner’s set with lots of premixed options: bright yellow, hot pinks, several greens, blues, browns, a black, I’m sure you can envision it. I figured that would be plenty. But unexpectedly… I kept ending up with painting results that felt harsh, tacky and flat, nothing like what I was envisioning. It took me a while to understand why. Store-bought paint tubes are a good starting point but they’re not the finish line.”

Color Recipes is the book I wish I'd had when I started painting. It's not a color theory course, it's 180+ simple color formulas, with exact ratios, so don’t have to overcomplicate things or be afraid of color but you can start mixing the actual colors you want every time.

"I don't understand color theory."
You don't need to. I cover just enough, in plain language, no art degree required, so you understand why a mix is doing what it's doing, without sitting through a lecture first.

"I don't know what paints to buy."
I'll tell you exactly which tubes to start with, and how to substitute if you already own a different brand or a different medium entirely.

"I'm afraid of muddy colors."
So is everyone, until they understand what's actually happening. I'll show you why "muddy" is often just "muted," and how to use that on purpose instead of avoiding it out of fear.

"I mixed the perfect color once and could never do it again."
That's the whole reason this book exists. Every recipe gives you a ratio, the same way a cooking recipe gets you the same dish twice.

"I only paint in watercolor / acrylic / oil, will this even apply to me?"
I mix in gouache, but the ratios and the thinking behind them carry over cleanly to whatever you paint in.

"I don't want a book I read once and never open again."
This one's built to stay next to your palette. Flip to it mid-painting whenever you need a specific color for a specific subject, skin tones, skies, greenery, and more.

Color Recipes is your new go-to cheat sheet, sidekick, and guide to mastering the art of color mixing with paint. Inside, you'll find practical color knowledge, techniques, and exercises for mixing your own palettes, plus a full set of color recipes curated into palettes inspired by seasons, landscapes, and everyday life. The interactive PDF format is clickable and user-friendly, letting you navigate easily between sections and color recipes.

This is a digital product. No physical item ships. Your download, including the eBook, instructions, and a video demo, is available immediately after purchase.

"I don't know what paints to buy."
I'll tell you exactly which tubes to start with, and how to substitute if you already own a different brand or a different medium entirely.

"I mixed the perfect color once and could never do it again."
That's the whole reason this book exists. Every recipe gives you a ratio, the same way a cooking recipe gets you the same dish twice.

"I only paint in watercolor / acrylic / oil, will this even apply to me?"
I mix in gouache, but the ratios and the thinking behind them carry over cleanly to whatever you paint in.

This is a digital product. No physical item ships. Your download, including the eBook, instructions, and a video demo, is available immediately after purchase.

Here’s a glimpse at what you’ll receive:

A fully interactive PDF with a clickable table of contents, a color index, and bookmarks, so you can jump straight to the recipe you need instead of scrolling.
180+ Simple Color Formulas
Every recipe is written as a simple ratio, easy to read, easy to mix, and easy to adjust if you want the shade a touch warmer, cooler, lighter, or darker.
These formulas are designed around the 10 tube Winsor & Newton Introductory Gouache set, but you can substitute other brands or even other mediums like watercolor or acrylic. The exact pigment might shift slightly, but the ratios and the logic behind them stay the same. The book goes in depth on how to substitute other materials and brands, with plenty of practical tips along the way.
W&N Gouache tubes needed for these recipes:
- Primary Yellow
- Permanent Yellow Deep
- Spectrum Red
- Primary Red
- Primary Blue
- Ultramarine
- Permanent Green Middle
- Yellow Ochre
- Ivory Black
- Zinc White
- Burnt Sienna (sold separately)
- Burnt Umber (sold separately)
Practical, hands-on advice for gouache that applies just as well to watercolor, acrylic, and oil, including how to rewet dried paint and troubleshoot a mix that's not quite right.
Straightforward color theory and clear mixing walkthroughs, with visuals guiding you through every recipe.
Colors read differently on a screen than they do on paper. Always test your mix before committing it to your piece.
This eBook grows over time. You'll have the option to stay in the loop whenever a new update goes live.

Kind Words

“Dear Elaine, I just purchased your color recipe book. I must say it opens my eyes because it just suddenly dawned on me that, mixing colors is actually not that hard and intimidating at all. Before this, I tried to mix a few colors that I want or imagine, but I can never got it right. Thank you for the recipe book, it helps.” @__dearbee

”Actually i am swimming in a pool of colours and i cant tell you how much i love that ebook Elaine. The book was so clear with instructions especially the quantity of colours show be used while mixing with (+,=,- ) signs are very helpful and easy to understand. Overall it is the best book I've ever seen. Last year i was joined the colour mixing class by another artist. I paid more for that class and literally she mixed each colour with rest of the other colours and created some colours, nothing much, and then I realized wasted my time and money. ...Haha long story but i learned one thing i am currently be aware and starting to invest in people I trust. “ @whispering_summers
“A color mixing guide full of tips and tools to have you mixing up delicious colors in no time. With easy to follow steps and inspirational color palettes, you’ll be reaching for the Color Recipes regularly! I love it 🙌🏻 “ @Tinamaherart

FAQ & Troubleshooting

- Make sure you are using a computer.
- The file will not download on a mobile device.
- Download the file from your email or create an account with the link from your order confirmation.
- Save your order confirmation email to download the file at a later time.
- Login to your account, click “Account” on the top corner, then “Account Settings” then “Orders” then choose this ebook and click “Download Item”
- After downloading, unzip the folder to extract the contents for use.
- Email hello@dearelaine.co with any questions or feedback
To unzip a file on a Mac, you can double-click the zipped file:
1. Double-click the zipped file
2. The file will automatically decompress using the built-in Archive Utility
3. The unzipped file will appear in the same folder as the zipped file
To unzip a file on a PC, you can use the Extract All feature in File Explorer:
1. Open File Explorer and locate the compressed folder
2. Right-click the folder and select Extract All
3. Follow the instructions in the extraction wizard
Option 1: Use any PDF reader to interact with the eBook. PDF readers include, but aren't limited to, Adobe Acrobat Reader (free), Goodnotes, and Notability. These apps work on both desktop and iPad.
Option 2: Right-click the PDF, select "Open With," and choose your preferred internet browser, such as Safari or Google Chrome. Most browsers have a built-in PDF reader.
Option 3: Print it. This is a 64-page PDF, so keep in mind your printer may affect how the colors turn out, they can look duller in print than they do on screen.
By downloading or accessing this eBook, you agree to abide by the following terms and conditions:

Terms and Conditions of Usage
1. Personal Use Only: This eBook is solely for your personal use. You may read, view, and store the content on devices that you own or control for your personal enjoyment and reference.
2. Prohibited Uses: You may not reprint, reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell, exploit, or otherwise distribute any portion of this eBook for any commercial purpose without prior written consent from the copyright holder, Elaine Lee.
3. Copyright Notice: This eBook is protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. All rights are reserved. Unauthorized use of this eBook may violate copyright laws and other intellectual property rights.
4. No Modification: You may not modify, alter, or create derivative works based on this eBook without explicit permission from the copyright holder.
5. Disclaimer: The content provided in this eBook is for informational purposes only. The author and publisher make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the content. The reader assumes all responsibility for any actions or decisions made based on the information contained herein.
6. Limitation of Liability: In no event shall the author or publisher be liable for any damages arising out of the use or inability to use this eBook, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
7. Governing Law: These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of District of Columbia, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
8. Changes to Terms: The author reserves the right to modify or revise these terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. Continued use of this eBook after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.
By downloading or accessing this eBook, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these terms and conditions. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing this eBook.
For inquiries regarding permissions or other matters, please contact the copyright holder at hello@dearelaine.co.

Color Recipes eBook

Here’s a glimpse at what you’ll receive:

Easy Navigation

Simple Color Formulas

Practical Tips

Step-by-Step Instructions

Color Variability

Continuous Updates

Kind Words

FAQ & Troubleshooting

I can't download the file?

How do I unzip the folder?

How do I use the eBook?

Terms & Conditions of Usage

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