A painter's color wheel.
Not every color of paint is available off the shelf, but pretty much any shade of any color can be created instantly by mixing other colors together. Properly mixing colors allows you to create a precise color shade which can instantly breathe new life into any room or exterior surface. All it takes is a little common sense and a practiced hand, and anyone can become an expert at mixing paint colors.
Use the Color Wheel
The color wheel is an important visual tool in color mixing. It is a good idea to have one available to help select the precise shade of a color to use. Color wheels are divided into three main categories: primary, secondary and tertiary.
Red, yellow and blue are colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors and therefore are called primary. Combining two primary colors produces the three secondary colors. These secondary colors are orange, purple and green. When all the colors are mixed in different proportions, tertiary colors are created. Using the color wheel allows you to see at a glance what colors need to be mixed to get the desired effect.
Similar to the color wheel is the color graph. Paint a series of horizontal lines using the primary colors you have available. While the paint is still wet, use these colors to paint a series of vertical lines, which overlap the horizontal ones. Use a clean brush to mix the areas where the lines overlap. This will allow you to instantly see the basic color schemes that can be created by mixing the available paints.
Blending the Colors
Colors have different shades and they impart a certain overall effect to the painting. Mixing two or more colors together can produce either entirely new colors or variations of the primary color, depending on the proportions of the mixture. For example, mixing a large amount of red with a small amount of other colors will produce different shades of red. However, mixing equal portions of red and blue will produce purple, an entirely new color. Keeping your proportions in mind is very important when blending colors.
Mix the colors together in a common container. If at all possible, use an electric paint mixer to blend the colors together. This mixer will shake the can violently, producing perfectly blended paint in just 90 seconds. If you do not have the convenience of having access to an electric paint mixer, mix the colors by hand using a stir stick. Stir the paint continuously for 30 to 45 minutes to completely blend the paint colors.
Paint a Test Patch
You don't want to go through the time and expense of painting an entire wall, only to discover the color wasn't quite what you expected. An easy way to avoid this situation is to paint a test patch.
After the paint has been mixed, paint a small amount onto the surface you will be painting. Allow this patch to dry and then look at the results. If you are happy with what you see, paint the wall. If the color is not what you expected, add additional colors to the paint and remix, followed by a new test patch. Using this method allows you to perfect the color combination before taking the time to paint the surface.
