It doesn’t matter if you have never painted before and don’t have an artistic bone in your body, paint by numbers are super easy, relaxing and very rewarding to see your painting come to life. Whatever your experience (or lack thereof) remember – there is only 1 rule, relax and have fun. If you want to do it exactly according to the numbers or change things up do it your own way by adding some finishing touches, then go ahead. All that matters is that you enjoy it!
It can feel a bit daunting especially with your first one, so I have created some practical guidelines to get you started with your kit. The basic concept is to match the number on the paint pot to the number on the canvas and off you go – yes as simple as that, and your masterpiece will begin to unfold before your eyes ….
SETTING UP
You will need a flat surface to paint on, with space to lay out your paints, brushes and water. If you have a canvas that is already stretched, like our 40*50cm, then that makes it easier. If you have a DIY frame (for our large designs) you can either assemble the frame first or mount the canvas onto the frame when you are done. If you have an easel and prefer using that, great.
Find a spot with good lighting, if necessary, supplement the natural light with a lamp. I love my lamp with a magnifier to help with the smaller areas, (at 50 my eyesight isn’t what it used to be) it’s a personal preference, but you definitely do need good lighting. Grab some paper towels or an old cloth and a glass of water (our paints are water-based acrylic) so you can clean your brushes as you go – don’t let the paint to dry on the brush. Clean your brushes thoroughly when you change to a new colour but also when they are too full of paint.
TIP: Changing colours too often in a session does use/waste more paint. To clean your brushes just dip into the cup of water, stir it around and then wipe it with the paper towel, repeat until the all the paint is off. Work along the bristles of the brush to keep them smooth, so wipe the brushes upwards towards the point. Change the water frequently.
I have been testing out our new paint brush washer and it works like a dream!
TIP: Don’t leave your brushes soaking bristles down in water over night.
WHERE DO I START?
Well, that’s entirely up to you but here are some suggestions:
Consider where your arm will lie on the canvas while painting – I am right-handed so I start at the top left of the picture and work down and right. This stops me from having to lean on areas that I have already painted.
You might prefer to paint all of one number first, from one side to the other, from the middle out or from the top to the bottom. I get bored quickly so I like to paint a whole lot of the same number/colour first, jumping around – but this can lead to smudges if you’re are not careful – you’ll quickly work out which option is most comfortable and enjoyable for you. Some customers have suggested painting light areas first and then darker ones. As you add the darker paints you can go slightly over the lighter areas which makes for a good finish. For the light colours, put a thin coat over the number first to help hide it then paint over the whole cell once it has dried. White markers also work very well to hide numbers.
Talking about hiding numbers … The Reference sheet is GOLD and essential! KEEP IT SAFE. You are guaranteed to refer to it several times to check you are painting the correct number – especially when you come to touching up at the end. So, keep your picture of the painting and reference sheet on hand to regularly check the colours/numbers.
You should cover the area marked and go over the lines. This will ensure there is no gap between areas of the painting. We supply high quality paints and you will need to thin your paints – you can do this with a bit of water and/or flow medium (mixing instructions are further down). I normally add a small blob of paint into the paint pot lid with my paint brush and then dip the tip of the brush into clean water and mix the 2 together in the lid of the pot.
Do not overload your brush with paint, just dip the tip in. You want to be in control of where the paint goes. Use all your brushes – it really helps to get a good finish if you use the right – sized brush for the area you are painting. Toothpicks are great for painting tiny cells.
TIP: Rather apply thinner coats of paint and build up the colour once dried for a nicer finish
Each kit comes with enough paint for the project – so look after your paints throughout your project and they will give you an excellent finish.
I stir my paints every time I use them; I like to use a toothpick. If your paint thickens then simply add a few drops of water or flow medium and water (available from us or any good art shop) Don’t keep your paint pot open for too long, rather move onto another colour.
Check your paint pots are closed properly or they will dry out. When you close them there should be a satisfying click! I also recommend running your fingers around the pots to make sure they have fastened fully all the way around. If you aren’t able to paint for a long time, keeping your paints in the fridge does help.FLOW MEDIUM – USAGE GUIDELINES
So, I love flow medium – as it thins the paint without losing colour. It makes the paints go onto the canvas so much more smoothly. FM also makes paints last longer especially if you have a heavy hand when it comes to dipping. As flow medium is mainly used for acrylic paint pouring and has only recently become popular with PBNs, its quite difficult to find exact instructions on how to thin paints in smaller quantities or pots. And the quantity you use also depends on how thick the paint is when you before you start and the consistency you are trying to achieve.
Here is my basic mix that can be “tweaked” to get the desired effect. Start slow and add gradually. Add About 2-3 small drops of flow medium in to the paint pot with 3-4 drops of water. Mix well with a toothpick. Add a drop of water at a time until you get the right consistency OR You can also mix 1 drop of FM and 3 drops water on a paint palette or saucer, dip the tip of your brush into the paint then blend with the diluted flow medium on the palette or saucer.
Always best to start with less and increase as you need. Don’t worry too much about what your painting looks like close up, remember like all art your painting is designed to be enjoyed from a distance.
Finally, take your time. Painting by numbers are one of the best stress and anxiety relief hobbies around, so just relax and enjoy and I promise you will achieve beautiful results if you take your time and don’t overthink it.
TIP: I have also loaded a few links on my website on “Blending” which is a great technique to give your paintings a more natural look, especially on with skin and sky designs
Thank you for supporting a small business! And should you need any other information or assistance please drop WhatsApp or email.
Lisa: 0832543661
lisa@wreakhavoc.co.za