What is the best way to mix paint colours?

Start by adding the lighter colour first, then gradually add small amounts of the darker colour. Dark pigments are much more powerful than light ones, so it takes very little dark paint to shift a mixture. Always mix more than you think you need — matching a colour later is difficult.

Should I mix by weight or volume?

For most art applications, mixing by volume is practical and sufficient. Professional paint manufacturers mix by weight for precision, but for studio mixing, measuring by volume with syringes or graduated cups works well. Different pigments have different densities, so weight-based mixing is more accurate for exact colour matching.

Why does my mixed colour look different when dry?

Most paints dry slightly darker or lighter than when wet. Acrylics typically dry darker because the medium becomes transparent. Oils may yellow slightly over time. Always make a test swatch and let it dry completely before committing to a large batch.

Can I mix different brands of paint together?

You can generally mix paints of the same type (acrylic with acrylic, oil with oil) regardless of brand. However, mixing different types (acrylic with oil) does not work. Student-grade paints may have more filler, which can affect the mixed colour intensity.

ArtCalcs

Colour Mixing Calculator — Pigment Ratios

Work out how much of each colour to mix by volume or percentage to achieve your desired colour ratio.

Total Volume Needed

Total amount of mixed paint

Mix Method

Colour 1 %

Colour 2 %

Auto-calculated

How We Calculate This

This calculator divides a total paint volume into portions based on your specified percentages.

Volume per colour = (Percentage / Total percentage) × Total volume

For a two-colour mix, the second colour percentage is automatically calculated as the remainder. For three-colour mixes, all three percentages are normalised to ensure they sum to the total volume.

Colour mixing tips

Start with the lightest colour and add darker colours gradually
Mix 10-15% more paint than you think you need
Record your ratios for repeatable results
Test on a scrap surface and let it dry before evaluating

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.