How do you blend paint by number?

Blending colors in a paint-by-numbers project can help create a more realistic and smooth appearance. Here are some techniques to blend paint:

1. Wet-on-wet blending: This technique involves applying wet paint to an area still wet with another color. To do this, work quickly and paint adjacent regions with their respective colors while the paint is still damp, allowing the colors to blend at the edges naturally.
2. Feathering: Use a dry brush to gently brush back and forth over the edge where two colors meet. This softens the transition between the colors, creating a more gradual blend.
3. Layering: Apply thin layers of paint, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next. By gradually building up colors, you can create a smooth transition between adjacent areas.
4. Stippling: Use a stippling brush or a sponge to dab colors together at their edges. This creates a textured, blended effect that can help soften the transition between colors.
5. Blending with a damp brush: When you want to mix colors, paint the adjacent sections as usual. Then, with a clean, slightly wet brush, gently brush back and forth over the edge where the colors meet to blend them.
6. Glazing: Apply a thin, transparent layer of color over a dry base color to create a subtle blend or adjust the underlying color's tone.

Remember to practice these techniques on a separate piece of paper before applying them to your paint-by-numbers canvas. Be patient and take your time – blending requires practice and finesse. If you make a mistake, allow the paint to dry completely before gently painting over it with the correct color.