What Is Paint by Numbers? A Beginner’s Guide | Wreak Havoc

You’ve got your paint by numbers kit. You’ve opened the box. There is a canvas covered in tiny numbers looking back at you.

Don’t panic. It looks more complicated than it is.

Paint by numbers is essentially a matching exercise. Each numbered section on the canvas corresponds to a numbered paint colour. Your job is to match them up and paint the canvas a section at a time.

Here’s how to get started.

1. Set up somewhere comfortable

You don’t need a professional studio.

A table, good lighting and a comfortable chair are enough.

Make sure you have enough space to put your canvas, paints and water nearby. If you’re painting in the evening, a decent lamp is worth having, particularly when you’re working on the smaller sections.

And protect your table if you’re prone to knocking things over.

Paint has a remarkable ability to find the one thing in the room you didn’t want painted.

2. Look at the reference picture first

Before you start painting, have a look at the finished image.

This gives you an idea of where you’re heading and makes the numbered canvas feel considerably less mysterious.

You can also look at the reference while you’re working if you’re unsure about a particular area.

3. Match the numbers

Your paints will have numbers corresponding to the numbered sections on the canvas.

Find a colour, locate its matching sections and start painting. Always double check you have the correct number paint for the cell you are going to paint.

You don’t have to paint every section in numerical order.

Some people prefer to work from the lowest number upwards. Others choose one colour and paint every section of that colour before moving on.

Try both and see what feels easiest.

4. Start with the larger sections

If you’re completely new to paint by numbers, starting with some of the larger areas can be a good way to get comfortable with the brushes and paint.

You’ll quickly get a feel for how much paint to put on the brush and how the acrylic behaves on the canvas.

Once you’re comfortable, move on to the smaller and more detailed sections.

5. Don’t overload your brush

You don’t need a huge blob of paint on your brush. Just dip the tip in  

A small amount gives you much more control, particularly around the edges of each numbered section.

If you put too much paint on the brush, it can be harder to stay inside the lines and can waste paint  

Think of it as painting rather than icing a cake. Smaller brush give you a nicer finish 

6. Take your time around the edges

The edges are where a finished paint by numbers can really start to look neat.

Use the tip of your brush for smaller areas and corners rather than trying to cover everything with the side of the brush.

You don’t need to rush.

The canvas isn’t going anywhere.

7. Don’t worry if you can still see the canvas

Some colours may look a little thin on the first coat. That’s normal, some paints have different pigments especially lighter colours.

Allow the paint to dry before deciding whether it needs another coat. Trying to correct everything while the paint is still wet can make the area messier rather than better.

A second coat can often make a noticeable difference but finish the canvas first then go back afterwards  

8. Keep your paints closed

Acrylic paint dries relatively quickly.

So when you’re finished with a colour, close the container properly before moving on. There should be “click” when properly closed  

It’s also a good idea to avoid leaving all your paints open at once.

There’s no need to give 20 little pots of paint the opportunity to dry out simultaneously.

Thin your paints with a few drops of of water and flow medium  

Also don't keep 1 colour pot open for very long periods  

9. Clean your brush between colours

Rinse your brush thoroughly when changing colours.

This is especially important when moving from a dark colour to a light one.

You don’t want yesterday’s dark blue sneaking into your lovely pale yellow.

Make sure the brush isn’t dripping wet before picking up your next colour.

10. What if you paint the wrong section?

It happens. White acrylic marker pens are great for fixing mistakes. 

If you’ve accidentally put the wrong colour somewhere, don’t immediately try to scrub it off. Let it dry, then go over the mistake with your white marker, let it dry, then paint over it with the correct colour.

Depending on the colour underneath, you may need two coats, but small mistakes are usually very fixable.

11. What if you paint outside the lines?

Again, don’t panic.

Once the paint has dried, use the correct neighbouring colour to tidy up the edge.

This is one of the reasons it’s worth keeping the reference image nearby.

You’ll gradually get better at controlling the brush as you go. Smaller brush strokes are easier to keep you in the cell  

12. Do you have to finish the painting in one sitting?

Absolutely not. In fact, with our size canvasses and 36 colours it will be almost impossible  

Paint for half an hour. Paint for two hours. Put it away for three days and come back to it.

There is no correct schedule.

That’s one of the nice things about having a paint by numbers waiting for you. You can pick it up when you feel like doing something creative.

A simple way to work through your canvas

If you’re unsure where to begin, try this:

Start with the larger areas.

Then work through the medium-sized sections.

Leave the really tiny, fiddly sections until you’re comfortable with the brushes.

Finally, go back over the painting and look for areas that need a second coat or a little tidying.

You’ll often be surprised by how different the painting looks at this stage.

The most important tip:  Don’t try to make it perfect.

Paint by numbers is supposed to be enjoyable.

The occasional slightly wonky edge isn’t a disaster. You’re not sitting an exam.

You’re painting a picture.

And if you finish it with a few imperfections, you still have something you made yourself.

That’s considerably more interesting than a blank canvas.

Ready to start?

If you’re looking for your first kit, have a look through our designs and choose something that makes you want to pick up a brush.

Then take your time and watch your masterpiece come to life.