Mixing complementary colors, such as yellow and purple, can create shades of gray. For instance, combining yellow and purple in equal proportions results in a neutral gray. The specific shade of gray will vary depending on the exact hues and proportions of the complementary colors used.
This method is advantageous because it produces gray tones without the use of black, which can sometimes overpower or darken the resulting color. Additionally, using complementary colors allows for more subtle and nuanced shades of gray.