Choosing a Kit
[amazon box="B07R3W4R25"]The first step is getting a kit. You’ll want to shop around for the kit that serves your needs. If you want something simple, look for a kit that doesn’t have too many colors and spaces. A more complex kit is a great choice if you want something challenging but fun. You’ll also want to make sure that the components of the kit will work for you. Choose an acrylic paint set if you prefer your paints to dry faster. Some kits come with their own frames, which is something that you may want to consider. Rest assured, you’re not going to be painting a flimsy piece of paper.
Canvas
A lot of paint by numbers kits come on canvases. Some canvases come pre-stretched—meaning you don’t need to try to staple them to a frame yourself. Other kits will have canvases that need extra preparation before you start. A pre-stretched canvas might be the best choice if you haven’t stretched a canvas before. Pre-stretched canvases allow you to jump right to the fun part. You’ll want to avoid any kits that fold their canvases. The folds create creases that are hard to get out. Choose a kit that has rolled the canvas, as it’s much easier to flatten.Getting Started
[amazon box="B07MC1GDX5"]Now that you’ve got your perfect kit, it’s almost time to start painting! If you’re doing this for fun, and don’t have great plans for your finished work, don’t worry about doing things ‘right’. After all, this is art. Sometimes mistakes can end up making masterpieces. But there are ways to make the final product look more professional. So, here’s how to paint by numbers like a pro. The first thing you’re going to want to do is to make sure the canvas is flat. Fix wrinkles and creases as soon as you can. Creases can make the painting process difficult and may ruin the final product. It is best to deal with these straight away. Look for a guide and be careful with the canvas. Harsh treatment may mess up the guidelines (or worse, the painting you’ve already done).
Securing the Canvas
Once you’ve made sure the canvas is flat, you’ll want to secure it so it doesn’t bubble up or shift while you paint. Some people tape the canvas to a board or the table, while others tape it to another pre-stretched canvas. If you need to store or move your canvas while working, you’ll want to avoid damaging or creasing it. Rolling unstretched canvases is the best method for storage and transport. There are various methods for storing pre-stretched canvases, depending on the specifics of the painting. Now you’ve got your flat canvas, a good smooth surface to put it on, and a comfortable chair. You open up your paints and . . . what next?The Trick to Painting
[amazon box="B07R3HB9G4"]The fun thing about art, in general, is there is no correct way to do things. Sure, you’ve got the technical stuff: anatomy, color theory, and the likes. But art is about breaking the rules and experimenting. If you’re happy with the result, you’ve succeeded. The same goes with paint by numbers. There is no correct order to paint in these kits. If doing every single space that needs color 3 is going to make you happy, by all means, go for it. Or if you want to focus on that pretty vase first, no one is going to stop you. If you want to throw out the number guide and use color 6 in space 10, you might get some funky results, but that’s what creativity’s all about! However, there are some general tips to note. After all, you don’t want to have spent days on your project only to discover that you smeared a section that was still wet.
Painting Tips
[amazon box="B07RFHG7D1"]The best tip for painting on your canvas is to start on the opposite corner of your dominant hand. If you are right-handed, begin in the upper left corner. If you’re left-handed, in the upper right. This tip ensures you don’t put your hand in wet paint and smear your hard work. Make sure that a section is dry before working on a different area. Acrylic paint dries faster than oil, so make sure you know how long your paint needs to dry. Typically, artist-quality acrylic paint needs about half an hour to dry when applied in a thin layer. Keep in mind that if you are applying the paint in thick layers, it will need more time to dry. It should take about 1-2 hours to dry, but this will depend on the temperature of your space.
The Numbers
If this is your first paint by numbers, you may be concerned about a key part of the product: the numbers. Darker colors will easily cover the numbers. Lighter colors, like yellow or white, may not cover the numbers immediately. Though it may be tempting, don’t slather on paint to cover the number in one go. The best technique is to apply a normal layer, wait for it to dry, and then go back over the number again. Not only will this keep you from wasting paint and time, but it will make for a nicer appearance when you finish.What About the Paints?
[amazon box="B07BNK2GLJ"]A common concern with paint by numbers kits is that you’ll run out of paint before finishing. One thing to keep in mind is that most companies have calculated how much paint is needed. The kits will supply this amount, plus a little extra. So don’t worry about running out! Make sure to close your paint jars when not in use; otherwise, they will dry out. If they dry out, you will need to get more paint. You shouldn’t have to add water or paint thinner to your paints. Provided you did not get faulty paints, the consistency should be correct. If the paint is too thick to use, there are various ways to thin it. Typically, adding a bit of water and mixing it in will get the job done. Remember you can’t take water out of the paint, so be careful not to add too much. If you want to get fancy, there are paint retarders and other additives that will thin out your paint while maintaining the colors’ quality.
Final Thoughts
[amazon box="B07R3TKDCF"]You already know how to paint by numbers because there isn’t a right or wrong way to do so. The most important thing with any hobby is that you enjoy it! Paint by numbers kits aren’t supposed to be stressful. So take a deep breath and get started! CLICK HERE to browse our complete selection of high quality paint by numbers kits!