Ever looked at a beautiful painting and thought "I wish I could create something like that"? Well, you absolutely can. Paint by numbers has helped thousands of people discover their inner artist - and I'm here to walk you through picking your first kit.
Think back to when you first picked up a paintbrush. Maybe in school art class, or maybe you were trying to follow along with a YouTube tutorial on how to paint a face. For most of us, that experience wasn't great. Paint by numbers gives us a chance to create something beautiful without the frustration of learning how to paint from scratch.
I remember watching my friend Kenny stare at her blank walls, convinced she'd never be able to create anything worth putting on display. Like most people, she had tried traditional painting and given up pretty quickly. But paint by numbers changed everything for her. These days, her home and office walls are filled with paintings she created herself.
The idea behind paint by numbers might seem simple enough...match the paint to the numbered sections on your canvas. There's something magical about watching your painting come to life, one section at a time. It's not just about following numbers; it's about discovering what you're capable of creating.
It's a simple concept. Each section of the canvas has a number printed on it that matches to a specific paint colour. By filling in these sections, you paint a beautiful image. Here's everything you need to know whether you are buying this as a gift or purchasing a kit for yourself for the first time.
Choosing Your First Kit
Your first few kits will set the tone for your whole paint by numbers experience. I've seen one too many beginners give up on their journey because they chose something too complicated or advanced. Here's what really matters:
Understanding Colour Counts and Canvas Options
Paint by numbers kits come with different numbers of colours, typically 24, 36, or 48. Now, you might think more colours automatically mean a better painting, but that's not always the case. Let me explain why.
For comparison, here is one of our original designs:
When you're starting out, a 24 colour kit is your best friend. These kits are designed with larger sections that are easier to paint, making them perfect for beginners. The colour transitions are more straightforward, which helps you build confidence as you learn. Think of it like learning to drive - you start in an empty car park before hitting the busy streets. See the 24 colour version below:
Moving up to 36 colours is like taking those driving skills to the next level. These kits offer more detail while still being manageable. The sections get smaller, and you'll notice more subtle colour variations. This is where you really start developing better brush control and understanding how different shades work together. But here's something important I've learned: if you find a 36 colour kit isn't enjoyable or feels like too much work, there's absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to 24 colours. Some of my favourite pieces in my home use 24 colours or less, and they look stunning. See the 36 colour version below:
Then we have the 48 colour kits. These create incredibly detailed paintings, but they require significantly more patience and precision. I usually recommend saving these for your third or fourth project, once you're comfortable with the basics and ready for a challenge. It's like jumping from casual jogging to training for a marathon - you want to build up to it. See the 48 colour below:
Here's something many people don't realise about colour counts: some well known brands, like Schipper, are known for their high quality but typically only offer 48-colour variants. While these are beautiful kits, they might not be the best choice for beginners.
On the flip side, you'll find lots of cheap kits on eBay, Amazon, or small websites that are shipped directly from China. These often offer different colour count options, but they achieve this by simply adjusting vector lines in a computer program, which often results in poor quality designs that don't look good when painted.
Here at and Pixie, we take a different approach. Our artists manually adjust each design for different colour counts, ensuring that whether you choose 24, 36, or 48 colours, your finished painting will look beautiful. It's like having a professional artist personally adapt the design to match your skill level.
Choosing Between Rolled and Stretched Canvas
Another important choice you'll is between rolled and stretched canvas. A rolled canvas is exactly what it sounds like - your paint by numbers design comes on a canvas that's been rolled for shipping. These are generally more affordable and easier to ship, but you'll need to either stretch them yourself or frame them after completion. I've seen people simply pin them to their walls or sandwich them between glass - whatever suits your fancy when it comes to displaying this art.
Stretched canvas comes already mounted on a wooden frame, ready to hang. While these cost a bit more and are bulkier to ship, they're very convenient. You can start painting as soon as your kit arrives, and once you're done, your piece is ready to display. Think of it like buying a cake mix versus a pre made cake. One requires more prep work but gives you more control, while the other is ready to go but costs a bit more.
For beginners, I often recommend starting with a stretched canvas. It eliminates one variable from the equation, letting you focus entirely on the painting process. However, if you're comfortable with basic DIY or plan to have your work professionally framed anyway, a rolled canvas might be the better choice.
Not sure which canvas type to choose? Here's a quick way to decide: if you're giving this as a gift, go for stretched canvas. If you're buying for yourself and enjoy DIY projects, rolled canvas gives you more framing flexibility and usually costs less to ship.
I personally love having stretched canvas kits put into a floating frame, it makes them look stunning on a wall.
Setting Up for Success
Where you paint will make a huge difference in your painting journey. Over the years, and from my own countless kits, this is what I would recommend:
Natural light is ideal, but avoid direct sunlight - it creates glare and dries your paints too quickly. Set up near a window or invest in a good desk lamp that mimics natural light.
Organisation is crucial. I like to use an old shoebox lid with holes cut out to hold my paint pots - this prevents spills and keeps everything within easy reach. I also keep two water cups nearby. One for cleaning your brush between colours, and one for mixing paint for when I blend different colours.
Understanding Paint Consistency
Your paint consistency can make a huge difference in your painting experience. If your paint is too thick, its going to be very hard to spread and might leave obvious brush marks. If it's too thin, you'll struggle to get a nice coat of paint that can cover the numbers.
Your paint should have the consistency of heavy cream. It should flow smoothly off your brush without being too watery. If your paint is starting to feel more like butter than cream, it's too thick. If it's like milk, it's too thin.
You also need to take care of the paint between sessions.
I like to store my paints upside down. This creates an airtight seal and prevents them from drying out. Between painting sessions, add a few drops of water to each pot you've opened, then seal them tightly. Keep your paints away from direct sunlight and heat, as these can cause them to dry out faster.
Painting Techniques That Work
The way you approach painting can also make a really big difference. Everyone eventually figures out there own style of painting - what works for one person might not work for you.
There will be a lot of advice out there on how you should paint, how you should approach it, the best and worst ways to paint a canvas. I would recommend you simply ignore all of this and learn YOUR best process on your own. This is what makes art truly unique.
You WILL make mistakes along the way, you WILL mess up, you WILL struggle to stay within the lines, but this is what separates a painting from a generic store bought print. It's what makes your art special, and it's what makes paint by numbers a truly special hobby.
You could start with one colour and complete all its sections before moving to another. This approach helps you maintain consistency in your paint thickness and helps you develop a rhythm. It's also more satisfying to see all similar elements come together at once.
You could take a more traditional approach to art and paint your background first. You could paint the main subjects and then the background. You need to find your own rhythm.
At the core of it, this whole activity is supposed to be relaxing and therapeutic. If you spend too much time worrying about the best way of doing things it is going to be counterintuitive. Take it one step at a time and roll with the punches.
If there is some advice I could give, it would be on how to hold a brush. You should hold your brush like a pencil, about halfway up the handle. This gives you better control for detailed work while keeping your hand relaxed. When painting, use light pressure, let the brush do the work. Just like a very warm knife cutting through butter, you don't have to use much force on the brush at all.
For tiny sections, try using the tip of your brush at an angle rather than straight on. This gives you more accuracy and helps prevent paint from bleeding into other sections.
Outside of that core advice (and you'll likely adjust how you hold a brush as well), you're going to have to work it out yourself and that's what makes these kits so much fun.
When to Add Another Coat (And When Not To)
One of the most common questions I get is about when to add another coat of paint. You might need another coat if:
- You can still see the numbers through the paint
- The colour looks uneven or patchy
- There are obvious brush marks you want to smooth out (I like these brush marks personally)
- The previous colour is showing through/not blended properly
Something to keep in mind is that not every "imperfection" needs fixing. Sometimes those little variations in your paint add character to your piece. They're what make it hand painted art rather than a printed image.
As for touch ups, you'll know they're needed. If there's an obvious gap between sections, or paint has bled significantly into the wrong area, or a section is noticeably different in coverage from those around it, and lastly, if there are bare canvas spots showing on your finished piece.
Common Challenges and Simple Solutions
Every beginner faces challenges, but they're mostly solvable. Here are the most common ones I've encountered and how you can overcome them:
Paint Coverage Issues
If your paint seems too thin, resist the urge to add water. Instead, apply two thin coats, letting the first dry completely. This creates better coverage without making the paint too thick or runny.
Staying in the Lines
For sections with detailed borders, paint from the inside out, using the tip of your brush. This gives you more control and helps prevent paint from spreading where it shouldn't.
Motivation and Progress
Breaking the project into smaller sessions helps maintain enthusiasm. Aim for 30 to 45 minute painting sessions. This keeps you focused without getting overwhelmed. Take photos of your progress; you'll be amazed at how far you've come.
As you complete your first paint by numbers, you'll notice something interesting happening. You'll start understanding colour better. You'll develop steadier brush control. Most importantly, you'll build confidence in your artistic abilities.
The skills you learn from paint by numbers - patience, colour fundamentals, brush control, all of skills transfer to other forms of painting if you choose to explore them.
But there's no pressure to move beyond paint by numbers. Many people find it perfectly satisfying as their creative outlet. I know I do.
Are you ready to begin your paint by numbers journey? Start with a 24 colour landscape kit. These designs typically feature larger sections and natural elements that are more forgiving for beginners. Remember, your first piece doesn't need to be perfect - it needs to be completed.
The joy of paint by numbers isn't just in the finished piece - it's in the peaceful moments spent painting, the satisfaction of completing each section, and the pride of creating something beautiful with your own hands.