If you learn the split-primary color-mixing system, you'll never make mud again, unless you intend to! It's really quite simple. You use just six colors, including two of each primary hue. The trick is in choosing the right colors and then combining them correctly to get the optimum result. The illustration shows you a bright, high-intensity color wheel mixed with split primaries. Here's how it works:

Make a circle with a three-legged figure in the center, like a clock with three hands. At the top of the circle (12 o'clock) to the right of the line, place Winsor Lemon or Cadmium Lemon (or another color that looks similarly cool and lemony, but not Lemon Yellow Nickel Titanate. Place New Gamboge, Cadmium Yellow or Indian Yellow to the left of the line. Next, going clockwise around the circle to four o'clock, place Winsor Blue (Green Shade or Red Shade) or Phthalo Blue above the line and French Ultramarine below the line. Continuing clockwise to eight o'clock, place Alizarin Crimson or Permanent Rose below the line and Winsor Red, Permanent Red, Scarlet Lake or Cadmium Red above the line.

Here's the rule: When mixing two colors on the wheel to achieve high-intensity color, don't cross the lines! Mix only the two colors in each section within the lines.

• To mix the green family, mix the blue and yellow within the lines to the right of the circle. First mix green, and place it midway between blue and yellow; then add more yellow for yellow-green and more blue for blue-green.
• To mix the violet family, mix the crimson or rose with the blue within the lines at the bottom of the circle. First mix violet midway between blue and red, then add more blue for blue-violet and red for red-violet.
• To mix the orange family, mix the red and yellow within the lines to the left of the circle. First mix orange midway between red and yellow, then add more yellow for yellow-orange and more red for red-orange.

See also Exploring Color Revised pp. 48-49 and Confident Color p. 98-99.