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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
