EARTH NEUTRAL · CURATED PAINT RECIPE
How to mix khaki
A subdued yellow-brown neutral for fabric, uniforms, dry grass, interiors, and weathering.
STARTING MIX
4 : 2 : 1 : 0.25
Use one consistent unit for every part. For the smallest fractions, scale the entire recipe up instead of estimating a partial drop.
PIGMENT LOGIC
Why this mixture works
Ochre keeps khaki visibly yellow, white sets the mid value, and the brown-blue pair provides the quiet neutral character.
The displayed #A49768 swatch is an sRGB target, not a promise that every brand will dry to the same color. Pigment identity, tint strength, opacity, medium, surface, and lighting remain part of the result.
BASIC-PALETTE ROUTE
Alternative recipe
Mix ochre with a smaller brown amount, lighten with white, and add a touch of blue only if it stays too warm.
Apply the mixture on the same ground and at the same thickness planned for the final work. Label the wet ratio, wait for a complete dry-down, and compare in neutral light before adjusting.
CORRECTION MAP
How to adjust the result
Add ochre for dry grass, umber for military brown, blue for green khaki, or white for faded cloth.
Correct value first, then hue, then chroma. This order prevents a lightness error from turning into an unnecessarily complicated recipe.
WATCH FOR
Common mistakes
- Starting from green and trying to brown it
- Adding black to lower saturation
- Forgetting that fabric texture and matte finish change the reading