Dear art lovers, welcome to our complete step-by-step guide on how to paint by numbers straightforwardly and explicitly without getting entangled in surfing the internet or getting stuck with starting your color-by-numbers kit.
Not sure about Paint by numbers or how to get started? Don’t stress out. We’re here to help you with it to the very end, but before starting with the ultimate guide, let us shed some light on what precisely the paint-by-numbers technique is and its brief historical overview. Paint by Numbers isn’t as new as diamond painting, and it made its first debut in public in 1951. Palmer Show Card Paint Company created color by numbers in its popular form. It got more fame in 2011 when Dan Robbins and Palmer Paint Products, Inc. developed and brought to market a new 60th-anniversary paint-by-number set created in memory of the survivors and those who had lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
So, what exactly is paint by numbers?
Paint by numbers is straightforward, and you don’t need any prior experience. It's super easy and flexible. Just follow the simple rules and go with the flow! But If you think painting by numbers is merely a method of following rules like number by number, piece by piece, or color by color, then sorry to let you down, but it isn’t quite the case. Whether you are a passionate artist or simply trying to unravel your inner artist's painting skills, our paint-by-numbers kits are fabulous to get your hands on and easy to use.
How does Painting By Numbers work?
It gives you a feeling of immense pleasure when you are done completing your magnificent painting after putting in all of your focus and energy. Doing paint by numbers is not meant to be done only by kids but also by adults alike because it’s a universal fact that everyone has some hidden inner skills that one needs to unravel to see their full inner potential doing numbers, which is a straightforward yet significant focus seeking process that helps in brushing up one’s internal artistic skills.
"Paint by numbers gives you the liberty to express your feelings in unique ways like yourself!"
Paint by number is a fun activity that teaches a sense of creativity and liberates you from the constraints of boring time. It teaches and helps you to broaden the horizons of your unique artistic attributes. It helps in recognizing the insight that painting isn’t a tedious task to do, and it is comprised of various shades and shapes of colors.
Things You Need for Paint By Numbers?
Making a painting is pretty straightforward once you have all the supplies, but collecting each piece can be time-consuming and expensive. If you think you’ll need lots of stuff, fret not. It’s not like that. This is another significant benefit that Paint by Numbers has over other art forms because it equips you with everything you need from start to finish, including the stuff to hang on the wall.
Brushes
Paint-by-number images have many shapes and sizes, so you need the right brush to correspond. Depending on the size and difficulty of the painting, it’s standard to have at least three options with a finer brush and broad brush included. Take some time to learn the meetings before you get started, and maybe do some practice strokes.
Canvas
The painting will size the canvas. It might also come with a sheet of paper of the picture for reference. These might be already mounted and stretched on wooden bars or a single roll of canvas that you can choose to present as you wish when you’re done.
Paint
You’ll get small pots of paint with each color required to complete the image and a number on each. Most will be pre-mixed and ready to go, whereas others will require you to mix some more unique shades. You must never forget to put the lid back on once you’re done dipping the paintbrush in, as they can dry out quickly due to their size.
Wall Hanging kit
Depending on the canvas size, you can order an assembled or DIY frame to hang your masterpiece on the wall. These include screws and bolts, as well as recommendations for how to turn it.
How Hard Is It to Paint by Numbers?
For those utterly new to the process, you might be concerned about whether or not you’ll be able to paint. This frustration puts most people off from ever trying their hand at art, and they miss out on the lifetime of benefits it offers to create your masterpieces. Our Ultimate Guide to Paint by Numbers will simplify the process for beginners to understand the learning curve.
Paint by Numbers was built to quash these fears and make art and painting accessible to everyone. Even if you are about to start from scratch and have never even picked up a paintbrush, you can make your own picture. As the original brand promised, these kits make everyone a Rembrandt.
Working on a paint-by-numbers kit is easy to understand, with everything from detailed instructions to the paint pots. It’s nearly impossible to get it wrong, and there’s room to get creative with what you make, so the process doesn’t have to be as systematic as critics think.
One of the best things about these paintings is that they can vary so much in difficulty. You might start with something easy and work up to a more challenging image, or even try the same painting with a different color scheme. There are no rules for finishing them, and you can go at your own pace as long as you feel comfortable.
What Kind of Paint Is Used?
Every paint-by-numbers kit comes in various colors, each in its separate tub. These tubs have enough paint within to complete the picture and, usually, more to account for any mistakes.
The paints are separated into the most used colors, but there may be a way to mix them to make others. If this is the case, the instructions will show you exactly how much is required of each. Beginners might prefer only to use pre-mixed colors so they know they’re correct, but if you’re unsure about mixing, you can try a little on the side to get the combination right.
One way that people take creative control of paint by numbers is to choose their colors. You can be experimental in what you put and change the corresponding colors and numbers, but this won’t always look perfect. You might also use other art supplies like glitter or material to add to the final piece, but it’s simply a matter of experimentation. Depends upon your choice.
Acrylic is The most common type of paint used in a paint-by-numbers kit. This is preferred because cleaning the brushes is easy; they go onto the canvas scientifically and dry quickly. Some oil-based paints exist, but for beginners, acrylic kits are the best place to start.
Paint-by-numbers kits come in other formats, like watercolors or pastels. These aren’t “paintings” by definition, but they follow the same approach, and for people who want to mix things up and try something new, it can be interesting to try another art form.
Before Starting Your Paint by Numbers Kit - Tips
Many brands make paint-by-numbers kits, but most follow the same outdated method. If you’ve been wondering how exactly this process works, this is the ultimate step-by-step guide to creating your masterpiece.
1. Choose your favorite painting
Choosing one with an image you like is the key to finishing a painting. Thousands of photos are available and in varying degrees of difficulty, so take some time to pick one that stands out.
2. Make your own artist’s space
All good artists have their own space to work in, and now that you have paint by numbers, you should too. Look for a flat surface that is hopefully away from others, and place a plastic sheet or something to prevent it from getting dirty. Set up all the supplies you’ll need, including a glass of water for washing the brush, the paint from the kit, and somewhere to place your canvas.
3. Read the instructions carefully
Could you check the instructions on the box and ensure each kit will come with its palette? Do you understand them before you begin? Some may vary in how they code the colors, and each kit will have its palette.
4. Starting with Paint by numbers
Could you decide what approach you want to follow for painting each shape? Some recommend starting from the bottom left corner and working your way up; others suggest first beginning with the most prominent figures. Whatever you do, be careful not to smudge and avoid dragging your hand on wet paint.
5. Find a comfortable & healthy lit-room
For tiny confined spaces, a magnifying glass and lamp can be beneficial.
6. Take a digital picture of your canvas with your phone!
This will give you a permanent canvas reference that you can never mess up, spill paint on, tear, burn, crumple, or shred! You can also zoom in on any small numbers or spaces. It's time to ditch that magnifying glass and paint your heart out!
7. Finish your masterpiece
Check the entire canvas and ensure no blank spaces or numbers are visible through the paint. Do a double coat of paint and tidy up any final lines. Mount or hang your canvas, or gift it to a friend, but wait until it has completely dried. You wouldn’t want all of your efforts to go to waste?
Scientifically proven benefits of doing paint-by-numbers.
A thrilling aspect of color by numbers is that its initial appearance isn’t as vibrant and colorful as it should be, but a lively picture comes as you continue to fill in the shapes. Alive! The creation of a captivating masterpiece from a blank page is what Paint by numbers is all about.
- Art flair training
The first step to becoming a great artist is understanding how shapes and colors interact. Paint by Numbers teaches this concept and lets you slowly and methodically work through the different colors to see how they might react to each other.
- Reduces stress
We now know that art forms like coloring books and paint-by-numbers show considerable declines in the stress levels of people who enjoy them. Taking yourself out of the situation and focusing on a painting can give you a sense of relaxation.
- Boosts concentration and attention
Our brain can benefit from creativity; painting by numbers is a natural brain-boosting activity. Spending half an hour a day on your painting can give your attention and concentration abilities a boost as well.
- Pain relief
Art therapy has become a respected and recognized method of pain relief for people suffering from various illnesses. A study published by Michigan State University showed art therapy helped reduce the pain of adult cancer patients . It showed a reduction in depression for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
- Form of mindfulness
Mindfulness is at the basis of meditation, and what better way to focus on the now than with painting? Following the steps and shapes of paint by numbers , you stay in the present moment and will be less likely to drift off with negative thoughts and emotions.
- Makes a great gift or home décor
Paint by numbers is a unique way to show a loved one you care, whether you gift them with an unused kit or a finishing piece. Better still, you can fill your home with professional-looking professional-looking art pieces that cost just a fraction of the real deal's price art pieces that cost just a fraction of the price of the real deal.
Become an advanced-level painter from a beginner: The Complete Finalized Ultimate Guide to Paint by Numbers with expert tips.
1. Acrylic paints dry quickly. Make sure to paint 1 number at a time and close the lids whenever you are not painting to prevent them from drying out. Only open one paint pot at a time.
2. Always iron your canvas before beginning to paint to remove any creases or wrinkles in the canvas.
3. Paint pod without any number or grey dot will indicate a grey or blank area on the canvas.
4. If you don’t want to drill in your walls for holes to hang the canvas and don’t want any of the hassle, try using double-sided tape or double-sided glue dots. Quick, easy, and hassle-free!
5. wash your brushes thoroughly with water after every use and wipe them with a towel. There shouldn’t be any color left in them.
6. Moisten your brush before putting it in the paint. We recommend dipping the meeting in a cup of water and then drying the excess water off on a paper towel before dipping the tip of your brush into the paint pod.
7. Dip only the tip! Use the end of your brush to make the most precise strokes, conserve paint, and prevent your encounters from getting dried up and hard. It makes it much easier to paint the fine details in these kits.
8. Use white out or a white colored pencil to cover the numbers and spaces and ensure they do not show through the paint.
9. Save any extra paint after your kit for future touch-ups or even a masterpiece!
10. All our paints are acrylic and water soluble. Sometimes, paint dries up if they aren’t sealed well after use. If you find that a paint pod has dried up or is too thick, add a drop or 2 of warm water to bring it back to life!
11. Is your paint thicker than you would like? Add 1-part flow improver(alcohol) to 20 parts water in your cup. This will make the paint flow more smoothly off your brush than dipping in regular water!
12. Tiny spaces too small for even your tiniest professional paint brushes? You can try to use toothpicks; they’ll surely come in handy where those big brushes can’t reach easily.
13. Having trouble getting paint off? Try using a cotton ball with nail polish remover! I would do the magic!
14. In the case of kids, give them safety goggles to wear so they don’t accidentally put paint in their eyes by shaking the brush suddenly.
15. Keep your brushes dry in any safe box or tool bag where you keep your other paint-by-numbers tools.
16. The best color choice is to try it out first. If you are still determining what color to do on canvas, use a combination of colors and shades to see what color best suits your eyes.
Gesso
QUICK Fact: GESSO IS NOT NECESSARY FOR ACRYLIC PAINTINGS!
Question 1: What exactly is gesso, and why is it used?
Answer 1: Gesso is a primer that makes the paint go on more smoothly and makes the canvas absorbent. HOWEVER, gesso is less necessary when painting with acrylic than oil paints.
Traditional gesso for oil paints contains glue that helps bind the color to the canvas and prevents the paint from rusting; however, all of our 23000 paint-by-number kits use ACRYLIC paints. Acrylic paints do not deteriorate like oil paints, making gesso much less critical.
Question 2: Should I use gesso?
Answer 2: Totally up to you! We don’t recommend it for our acrylic paint-by-number kits!
Gesso for acrylic paints will make the canvas a bit smoother and a little more absorbent, but it may smudge your numbers and lines and make it more likely to run out of paint for your paint-by-number kit!
Question 3: Should I use clear gesso or white gesso?
Answer 3: Only use CLEAR GESSO for paint-by-number kits! White gesso or any other color will cover the numbers and spaces you need for your paint-by-number kit!
Stretching and Framing
QUICK Fact: STRETCHING CANVAS IS NOT NECESSARY FOR THESE KITS!
Question 1: Should I stretch my canvas? Should I do it before or after I paint?
Answer 1: It is totally up to you! You cannot go wrong, but we do not recommend stretching your canvas for beginners or first-timers. However, if you want to try your canvas, we suggest doing so before painting!
Question 2: How do I stretch a paint-by-number canvas?
Answer 2: Stretching paint-by-number kits can be a little more complex than stretching a regular canvas because you need to line up the border of the canvas with the DIY frame. It may take a few tries, but it is doable.
Question 3: What are the benefits of stretching a paint-by-number canvas?
Answer 3: Stretching a canvas makes the canvas a bit more portable. We usually recommend it if you have an easel and you want to take your kit outside to paint. (Painting on a beach was one of the most relaxing painting experiences ever.)
Question 4: What are the detriments of stretching a paint-by-number canvas?
Answer 4: Stretching a paint-by-number canvas requires a lot of patience. It may also be hard to stretch it very tautly without the proper tools, so it may be easier to paint with a flat, hard surface behind an unstretched canvas as a backing.
Question 5: Where is the best place to paint--on a table or an easel?
Answer 5:Spending too many hours painting with an easel hurts our necks and arms. Painting for too many hours on a flat surface makes our necks sore. Switching between the two can help ease some of that soreness! We ranked our three favorite options by the level of ease:
1. EASY - Lay your canvas on a flat surface and securely tape it using masking tape. We are addicted to paint by numbers and find this the simplest and most pleasant way of painting. It is also easy to pick up and move to a different space!
2. MEDIUM – Tape, tack, or bind your canvas to a foam board or cardboard piece. This method gives you a solid hardback for your canvas and makes your project portable! You can still put your canvas on a flat surface or stand it up on an easel.
3. DIFFICULT – Stretching your canvas is the most difficult. It makes your canvas less portable, and you will no longer have that rigid backing, which usually makes painting the canvas more challenging. A stretched kit is a little more complicated to frame after you finish, but it does not hurt to try!
Paint by Numbers kits are not just for kids but also adults.
Our acrylic paints are of the best quality and quickly and effectively absorbed on the canvas without risking smudging. Explore the best of our kit’s selection of over 23000 unique designs, which will never tire you of this fantastic holistic method of making paint-by-numbers kits, interconnecting body, mind, spirit, and emotions.
Our paint-by-numbers are designed for adults; believe it or not, numbers were initially made for adults. Still, it was later observed that kids would also love it so they could renovate their latent painting skills and be on their way to choosing from raveling and amazing masterpieces to complete them and create masterpieces over masterpieces.
Children’s paint-by-number kits usually have a few defining features that make them more kid-friendly. They’re easier to complete, feature themes and images that are more appealing to children, and don’t require multiple hours of work to finish. As their attention span might be smaller than adults and they need more immediate attention, it’s better to shop for a paint-by-numbers kit made just for kids if it’s their first attempt.
From our small, medium to extra-large paint-by-numbers kits, you can choose from heartwarming natural landscapes of Switzerland, fierce nature like ‘Lion fighting with a bull image,’ or you can go for a simple yet intriguing piece such as ‘Abstract tree lady and birds’ the more you explore, the more you would want to indulge yourself in this amazingly satisfying journey.
Our paint-by-numbers kits can help in your self-realizing painting journey by allowing you to see shapes of colors without the help of inscribed outlines. For new art aspirants, doing paint-by-numbers kits helps them look at a subject with areas of color and focus on the smaller sections and their colors rather than getting perplexed by concentrating on the end product.
By finishing 2-5 paint-by-numbers projects, you will be a complete professional with excellent brush stroking techniques and details of various sizes.