One of the things we love about Artisan Chalk Finish Paint is the colour range — 40 beautiful, carefully considered colours that cover almost every furniture painting need. But sometimes you want something that's not quite in the range. Maybe you need a slightly warmer version of a colour, or a softer, more muted tone. That's where colour mixing comes in.
Mixing chalk finish paint colours is straightforward — but there are a few things worth knowing before you start.
The Golden Rule: Mix Within the Same Range
Always mix chalk finish paint with chalk finish paint, and mineral paint with mineral paint. Mixing the two ranges together can affect the finish and adhesion properties of both. Stick within the same range for reliable, consistent results.
Basic Colour Mixing Principles
If you haven't mixed paint before, a few fundamentals:
- Adding white lightens a colour — mix Arctic White into any colour to create a softer, lighter version. This is the most common mixing technique in furniture painting.
- Adding black darkens a colour — mix Noir into any colour to deepen it. Use sparingly — black is very powerful and a small amount goes a long way.
- Mixing complementary colours mutes them — adding a small amount of the opposite colour on the colour wheel (red into green, blue into orange) mutes and softens a colour. This is how you create the dusty, muted tones that are so popular in furniture painting.
- Mixing similar colours creates transitions — mixing two similar colours (Sage and Duck Egg, for example) creates a colour that sits between them.
Popular Custom Mixes Using Artisan Colours
Softer, More Muted Versions of Existing Colours
- Softer Navy: Navy + a small amount of Arctic White. Creates a dusty, muted blue that's softer than straight Navy.
- Warmer Sage: Sage + a small amount of Crème Brulée. Creates a warmer, more golden sage green.
- Dusty Rose: Rosé + a small amount of Parchment. Creates a softer, more muted blush.
- Warm Grey: Winter Grey + a small amount of Natural Linen (mineral). Creates a warm greige that suits organic interiors.
Custom Neutrals
- Warm White: Arctic White + a very small amount of Crème Brulée. Creates a warm, slightly creamy white that suits coastal and organic interiors.
- Greige: Parchment + a small amount of Winter Grey. Creates a warm greige neutral.
- Putty: Travertine + a small amount of Cobblestone. Creates a warm putty neutral.
How to Mix Chalk Paint Colours
Step 1: Start Small
Always test your mix on a small scale before mixing a large batch. Mix a small amount — a tablespoon or two — and test it on a piece of cardboard or an inconspicuous area of the piece. Allow to dry fully before assessing — the colour will look different wet than dry.
Step 2: Record Your Ratios
This is critical. Write down exactly how much of each colour you used — by volume or by weight. If you need to mix more of the same colour later, you need to be able to recreate it exactly. A custom mix that you can't recreate is a problem if you run out mid-project.
Step 3: Mix Thoroughly
Mix the colours together thoroughly until completely uniform. Any unmixed streaks will show up in the finished paint job. Stir for longer than you think necessary.
Step 4: Mix Enough for the Whole Project
Mix enough of your custom colour to complete the entire project before you start painting. Running out of a custom mix mid-project and trying to recreate it exactly is very difficult. Mix more than you think you need.
Limitations of Colour Mixing
Colour mixing gives you a lot of flexibility, but it has limits. Very complex colours — particularly very specific greens, purples and browns — are difficult to mix accurately from a limited palette. If you need a very specific colour, it's worth checking whether it already exists in the Artisan range before attempting to mix it.
Browse the full Artisan colour range: Best Paint Colours for Australian Homes 2026
Shop Artisan Chalk Finish Paint at Sweet Pea Interiors. For colour advice on your specific project, get in touch — we're always happy to help.
