how can you tell what colors to mix and how much

It depends on what you want. See this site.
http://www.realcolorwheel.com/mypigments.htm

what do you mean?

what colors do you want to make?

you have to keep trying adding a certian amount of paint to get the right color.

When it comes to mixing colors, there are a few different methods you can use. One popular approach is using a color wheel. A color wheel is a visual representation of the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors and how they relate to each other. It can help you determine which colors to mix and in what proportions.

To use a color wheel, start by identifying the colors you want to mix. Let's say you want to create a shade of purple. Purple is a secondary color made by combining the primary colors red and blue.

Look at the color wheel and find the position of red and blue. Notice that they are opposite each other on the wheel. This indicates that they are complementary colors, and mixing them in the right proportions will create purple.

Next, consider the intensity or hue you want for your purple. You can adjust this by adding more or less of each color. For example, if you add more red than blue, the purple will lean towards a reddish hue. Conversely, if you add more blue than red, the purple will appear bluish.

Keep in mind that different pigments or paints may have different properties, so experimentation and practice are essential. You can start by mixing small amounts of each color and gradually adjust the proportions until you achieve the desired shade.

Additionally, resources like the website I mentioned (http://www.realcolorwheel.com/mypigments.htm) can provide specific information about different pigments and their characteristics. This knowledge can guide you in choosing the right colors to mix and help you understand how much of each color to use.

Remember, practice is key when it comes to color mixing. With time and experience, you'll develop an intuition for combining colors and estimating the right proportions.