# How to Mix Acrylic Paint for Models: Colors, Shades, Tints and Matching Source: https://modelbuildlab.com/blog/how-to-mix-acrylic-paint-for-models Published: 2026-11-01 Publisher: Model Build Lab Mixing acrylic paint lets you make custom colors, lighter and darker shades and exact matches for a project. The basics are simple: start with the lightest color, add tiny amounts of darker ones, mix thoroughly and test the result on a spare part before you paint the model. Keeping notes of your ratios makes it possible to recreate a mix later, which matters when a color runs out halfway through a build. ## Basic color rules that help Colors mix in predictable ways. Red and yellow make orange, yellow and blue make green, and blue and red make purple. Mixing complementary colors, which sit opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red and green, tends to neutralize and gray them. This is how you tone down a color that looks too bright for a realistic model. Model colors are usually more muted than the paint in the bottle suggests, because large objects and distance fade color. Subtle shifts toward gray or brown often look more convincing than pure hues. Learning these few relationships is enough to make most colors you need. ## Start light and add dark slowly A strong dark pigment can take over a mix very fast, so add it a tiny bit at a time. Begin with the lighter color in your mixing cup or palette and add the darker one on the tip of a toothpick or brush. Stir fully before judging, because streaks can fool you. Mix a bit more than you think you need, particularly for large areas. Matching a color twice is much harder than mixing it once. For airbrushing, mix enough for the whole job and store any leftovers in a sealed jar for touch-ups. A white ceramic tile, a plastic palette or a piece of glossy card makes a good mixing surface, and cheap disposable cups work well for larger batches. Use a separate stirrer for each color so you do not contaminate your jars. Clean tools between mixes so old color does not creep into the next one. ## Making shades and tints To lighten a color, add white, but do so slowly since white also makes colors more opaque and chalky. To darken, avoid pure black for many colors, because it can look dead and flat. Adding a small amount of a dark complementary color, or a dark brown or blue, often produces a richer shade. These shifts are the basis of highlights and shadows on a model. A slightly lighter version of the base color on raised edges, and a darker one in recesses, creates depth. Dry brushing is one simple way to put such mixes to work. ## Mixing for realism Real objects rarely show a single flat color. Slight variation between panels, faded areas and dirt all add realism. Mixing a few close shades of the same color lets you paint panels differently or fade an area gently. Keep the differences subtle to avoid a patchy look. For military and aircraft finishes, use reference photos, but remember that colors change with light, age and wear. Many paint ranges offer ready-made matches, and mixing can adjust them to your taste. Test your colors under the lighting where the model will be displayed. When you are matching a specific color, compare the mix to the target under the same light. Hold a dab of wet paint beside the reference and look at it from a few angles, remembering that a wet color shifts as it dries. Making a small swatch on card and letting it dry gives a better comparison than judging by eye on the palette. ## Keep mixes consistent Write down your recipe in parts, such as three parts base color to one part another, using the same measuring method each time. Small syringes, droppers or even counted drops give repeatable amounts. Photograph a painted test card with the recipe beside it to keep a visual record. Mix on a palette or in small cups, and label them if you store them. Acrylic dries quickly, so cover mixed paint or add a drop of retarder or water if the brand allows. Always check the maker's instructions for compatibility when mixing different brands or paint types, since some formulas do not blend well. [See paint organizers](https://modelbuildlab.com/best/best-paint-organizers-models) ## Common mistakes The most frequent errors are adding too much dark pigment, not stirring enough and mixing too little paint. Another is mixing paints of different types, such as acrylic and enamel, which can curdle. Mixing thinner into the color without checking can also weaken coverage. Before painting, test the mix on a spare part and let it dry, since acrylic paint often dries slightly darker or different from how it looks wet. If the dry color is off, adjust the mix and test again. It is far better to find out on scrap than on a finished model. Thinning and mixing are different jobs, though they often happen together. If you are mixing for an airbrush, mix the colors first and thin afterward, because it is easier to judge color in thicker paint. Then strain the paint if you see lumps. Once the color is settled, check the paint maker's guidance for getting the consistency right. [Compare model paint sets](https://modelbuildlab.com/best/best-model-paint-sets) ## Frequently asked questions Does acrylic paint change color when it dries? Often a little, so test on scrap and let it dry before judging. Can I mix different brands of acrylic? Often yes, but check the makers' advice and test a small batch first. How do I make a color less bright? Add a touch of its complementary color or a neutral gray. How do I save a leftover mix? Store it in a sealed jar and label it with the recipe. ## Related buying guides - https://modelbuildlab.com/best/best-model-paint-sets - https://modelbuildlab.com/best/best-paint-organizers-models - https://modelbuildlab.com/best/best-brush-sets-models - https://modelbuildlab.com/best/best-model-primers