Hobbies Painting

How to Blend Paint Colors

Oil paint on a workbench.

Krisikorn Tanrattanakunl / Getty Images

If the terms "blended" and "blending" make you think of an actual kitchen blender, then you're a bit off track when it comes to blending colors as you're not aiming to have the colors mixed up together completely.

Rather, with paint, blending colors means creating an area between two colors where they gradually mix, so you get a gentle transition from one color to the other. How large this area depends entirely on what you're painting. It can be a narrow, relatively quick transition, or a slow wide one. Whatever suits the subject.

As with painting color charts, it's time well spent to do some sample blending in a sketchbook—both for practice and later for reference. Blending colors is something that gets easier the more you do it, and it won't be long before you can do it without consciously thinking about it. So let's make the first move.

  • 01 of 04

    Make the First Move

    Blending paint colors.

    The Spruce / Marion Boddy-Evans

    Once you've got the two colors you wish to blend down onto your painting, move the brush back and forth from one color to the other and back again. Do this in a zigzag motion, like you're painting a Z.

    You may have a moment's panic when you first start blending. That "oh, no, what have I done, I've messed up the colors" panic. Particularly if you're blending a dark or strong color with a light color. Don't worry, it'll momentarily look worse before it gets better.

    Tip: Take a moment to wipe off any paint from your brush before you start blending. Or start with a clean, dry brush. That way, you're not adding any extra paint to this spot in your painting with the brush.

    Once you've made the first move, you then keep at it.

  • 02 of 04

    Be Gentle

    Blending paint colors.

    The Spruce / Marion Boddy-Evans

    Don't be over-enthusiastic to get the two colors blended. Gently does it. Back and forth, up and down. Use both sides of the brush, don't turn it around. Simply stop and pull the brush back the other way. The hairs on the brush will follow.

    Avoid going sideways, at least initially. You want there to be more of one color on one side than the other—you don't want the colors mixed equally across the whole area. So, in this example, the aim is for there to be more yellow on the left of the blended area and more brown on the right. It may seem obvious to you, but if your blending isn't working well, check which direction you're moving your brush.

  • 03 of 04

    If You've Blended Too Far

    Blending paint colors.

    The Spruce / Marion Boddy-Evans

    Disaster! You've blended one color too far into the other. You may think everything is ruined but that's not the case. What you need to do if this happens is pick up a little fresh paint in the color that's at risk of being lost (in this instance, the yellow.) Then work back into the blended area from the outside (the area where the color is unblended).

    Tip: Pick up less fresh color than you think you'll need. Usually, it doesn't take much to restore the balance, and it's easy to pick up a bit more if you need it.

    Whatever you do, don't despair. You can always do it again and again. And with a little practice, you'll get beautifully blended colors.

  • 04 of 04

    The Finished Product

    Blending paint colors.

    The Spruce / Marion Boddy-Evans

    As oil paints dry slowly, you've got plenty of time to get your colors beautifully blended. With acrylics, however, you need to work quickly before the paint dries (unless you're using a slower-drying form of acrylics or have added an extender medium). If the paint dries before you've got it blended to your satisfaction, add some fresh paint on top of what you've already done and start to try again. With practice in whatever paint you're using, you'll be able to get perfectly blended colors without thinking too hard about it (if at all).

    It may not feel like it when you first try, but you'll quickly get a feel for it. Remove the stress while you learn how to blend by practicing in a painting sketchbook rather than in an actual painting.

    Tip: If you wish to remove any brush marks in the paint, use a dry, soft brush to gently tickle the surface.