What color is produced by mixing unequal parts of the primary colors?

When mixing unequal parts of the primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—the resulting color tends to be brown. This occurs because each primary color can produce various secondary colors when combined in equal parts, such as green, orange, or purple. However, when these colors are mixed in unequal amounts, the more dominant color influences the mixture, leading to a muddy or muted tone characteristic of brown.

The concept of color mixing is crucial in color theory for cosmetology, as understanding how to create custom shades for hair color or makeup can impact the final look significantly. Mixing unequal quantities results in a balance that favors one color, which typically shifts the blend towards brown, especially as the colors are layered with a focus on warmer tones like red or yellow combined with cooler blues.

In contrast, gray, black, and white result from different mixing principles. Gray is often produced by mixing black and white or complementary colors in equal parts. Black results from the complete absorption of light or mixing all primary colors in equal proportions, while white is the presence of light itself, not necessarily resulting from a mixture of color. Therefore, the most accurate product of mixing unequal primary colors is brown.