Mixing Paints

• Although most paint stores can mix paints in the hue and intensity that you desire by using computerized methods, you can blend the paints on your own manually. Depending on the color you desire, you may combine two or more colors in different or equal parts.
  
  

Color Wheel

• Use a color wheel as your guide in mixing colors. Turn the wheel around to the desired color and then utilize the same hues used on the color wheel to achieve it. Try mixing small samples first and note how many parts of each color you used. Then, when you get the desired color, prepare them in a bigger batch, enough to complete your project and still have left over for future touch-ups. Stir the paints thoroughly, scraping the sides of the container to ensure that your color is uniform throughout. Using a clean brush or stick to mix your colors prevents color contamination.
  
  

Adding Depth with Different Paint Colors

• Explore different techniques and styles to blend different wall paints. One example is faux painting, which, as the name implies, gives a desired finish and depth without using the traditional materials in creating the intended finish. Faux paint comes in various combinations to reflect the desired special effects. For example, striped faux paint is similar to striped wallpaper designs that will make a room look taller or larger. The finished product will depend on the tools and techniques used, but in general, faux paints provide depth and, often, texture. In addition to adding a stylish touch to your home, decorative paint techniques are more affordable and easier to apply than most wallpapers.
  
  

Painting Techniques

• The more widely used techniques in blending color finishes on the walls include sponging, ragging, dragging, color washing, stenciling, crackling, marbling and feather dusting. Some also use colored Venetian plasters or faux painting kits that are very user friendly to add depth and texture. Most paint stores sell textured or decorative paint rollers to achieve the look you desire. Several textured paint rollers have cut-out designs such as trailing vines, flowers and stripes. Use a combination of designs by integrating the colors for each one. For example, a roller with vines will get a green color, while a roller with flowers will get a different color. Wait until the first one dries before you apply the second design.
  
  

Things to Consider

• While wall paint can transform your home into a living work of art, it can have a disastrous outcome in terms of style if you overdo it or do it haphazardly. Practice on a piece of wood or an obscure wall before doing the entire wall to help minimize mistakes. Prepare your walls prior to applying paint. For example, applying primer will give you a better finish and saves you numerous coats of paint. Also, adding painter's tape to separate each section if using more than one wall color will eliminate bleeding of colors to each section. Blending wall paint is an art in itself. Some colors blend well, while others do not. So, before buying paint by the gallons, test the mixture first for visual effects.