Mixing Old Fashioned Milk Paint is pretty simple. You mix equal parts water, and paint. For this example I used 1 table spoon of soldier blue milk paint.   Soldier Blue Milk Paint: http://amzn.to/24GB6cr

I then add 1 table spoon of water.

Stir the powder for 3-4 minutes, trying to smooth out all of the clumps of powder.

After stirring, let the paint sit for 10 minutes before using. 

You can mix and match the milk paint to get that perfect color.

For this example, I mix 1 table spoon of Bayberry green with 1 teaspoon of soldier blue. Bayberry Green Milk Paint: http://amzn.to/24GB846

I add the same amount of water.

And stir it like I described above.

To apply the milk paint, you can use just about anything. You can use a Taklon brush, synthetic brush, foam rollers and foam brushes. 

For surface prep, I sand up to 180 grit and stop. With the milk paint being water based, it will raise the grain of the wood after the first coat, so no need to sand any finer. Gold Taklon Brush: http://amzn.to/21OwDzj

I apply the soldier blue with a foam brush.

It's typical for the first coat to not fully cover the surface, and look like crap. The second and third coats will look better.

I used my gold taklon brush to apply the custom mix milk paint. I really like the taklon brush for applying the milk paint. These are the brushes that I purchased: http://amzn.to/21OwDzj

Mixed milk paint doesn't last very long, so if you need  to store the paint for finishing later that day or the next, stick the closed container in the fridge.

To remove the dust, I wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

I now apply the second coat.

After the second coat dries, I sand with 320 grit again.

You will need to apply a top coat to help protect the milk paint. If you want a finish thats not going to alter the appearance too much, go for a water based product. In this photo i'm applying a water based polyurethane.

If you want to darken the paint, you can apply an oil based varnish. In this photo i'm applying semi-gloss arm-r-seal. I personally prefer the darker, richer look that the varnish gives.

This is after the first coat of top coat. It's a little rough looking, but like with any project, the first coat of finish doesn't look it's best. I would scuff sand the surface and apply 2 more coats of varnish/polyurethane.