Turning a photo into a painting sounds like a fun idea, and it actually is. Paint by numbers with a custom photo lets you take an everyday picture, like your dog in the backyard or your child blowing out birthday candles, and turn it into something you can paint by hand. Instead of just printing the photo or sticking it in a frame, this gives you a way to enjoy the memory in a totally different way.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how the whole process works. We’ll cover tips for picking the right photo, what happens once you upload it, what comes in the kit, and how to get started painting. If you're looking for a relaxing indoor project this winter, you're in the right place.
Picking the Right Photo for Your Painting
Not every photo will work well for a custom paint by number kit, but don't worry. You don’t need anything special, just a picture that’s clear and simple. Some small adjustments in what you pick can make a big difference later while painting.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the right one:
• Pick a photo with bright, even lighting, outside photos on a cloudy day or near a window tend to work well
• Make sure the faces or main objects are clear and not too far away
• Try to avoid backgrounds with too much clutter or shadow
• Simple is better, a couple of people or one pet is often easier to paint than a crowd
We see a lot of people choose family moments, pictures of their pets, or vacation memories. A photo of your grandparents on their porch or your favorite beach view can turn out really nice on canvas. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s picking something that means something to you and will be fun to look at again and again.
What Happens After You Upload Your Photo
Once your photo is picked and uploaded, it goes through a few steps before becoming a full paint by number kit. Most of it is handled by people who make sure the photo will work well and turn it into an actual outline and color plan for painting. With Ledgebay, you can pick from three custom kit sizes, offered as unframed canvases or pre-framed options that arrive ready to display.
Here’s how things usually go:
• First, your photo gets reviewed to make sure it's clear and will transfer well to canvas
• Then, the photo is processed into a black and white outline that shows where each color will go
• After that, each section is matched with a paint color, keeping your photo looking natural but easy to paint by number
If the photo is a little dark or overly bright, it might be adjusted so the main pieces, like faces or shapes, stand out better. This part sets the whole project up for success, so everything later feels smooth when you’re sitting down to paint.
Along the way, people working on your custom kit check to see that the photo will translate nicely to a paint by number version. Adjustments help to keep faces, pets, or other main details looking as natural as possible. This step is a big part of getting a result that feels true to the photo you love while still being easy to paint.
What Comes in Your Custom Kit
Once your custom kit is made, it arrives with everything you need to begin painting. You don’t have to go out and search for supplies or figure out what to buy. The whole idea is to make this easy, especially if you’re doing this for the first time. Ledgebay includes a premium pre-primed canvas, four brushes of different sizes, vacuum sealed pre-mixed acrylic paints, a small photo of the finished painting, and an 11" x 17" reference print based on your image.
Your kit usually includes:
• A numbered canvas with the custom outline based on your uploaded photo
• A set of numbered paint pots, matched to your photo’s colors
• A few brushes in different sizes, ready for large areas and tiny details
• A printed color guide so you can check how things should look
Everything is made to match your photo, so no two kits are alike. You won’t need any extra tools to start painting. And if you’ve never painted before, do not worry, these are designed so anyone can use them, even if they’ve never picked up a brush before.
Inside your kit, each piece is arranged to keep the process as simple as possible. The color-coded pots match the numbers on your canvas, making it easy to know where every shade belongs. Even the brushes are chosen to be just right for the details usually found in personal photos, from wide areas for backgrounds to very fine tips for precise lines.
Tips for Getting Started with Your Custom Painting
Before you start painting, it helps to set up your space so it feels comfortable and calm. A quiet spot makes painting feel more like a break and less like a task. You don’t need a big room or special tools, just a few basics to make sure your setup works.
Try these simple tips:
• Find a clean table or desk where you can lay out the canvas and paints
• Make sure the lighting is good so it's easy to see the numbers and colors
• Start with one of the larger color areas first so you can get used to painting
• Keep a cup of water and a paper towel nearby for cleaning your brush
• Take your time, this isn’t about speed or being perfect
By starting with larger areas, you can get a feel for how the paints cover the canvas and how the colors look next to each other. Good lighting helps so you can clearly see both the numbers and the differences in color as you go. It’s always okay to take a pause and come back to painting later. If you ever step away for a bit, put on the lid for your paint pots or cover your brushes, so your supplies stay fresh.
It’s okay to pause and come back later. On chilly February afternoons, something like this makes a quiet moment feel even warmer. The colors, the motion of the brush, and the memory you’re painting bring their own kind of comfort. Over time, working a little bit each day can give you a wonderful, slow reveal of your finished art, which can be especially nice when winter days are long and indoor activities feel more inviting.
How Memory Becomes Art
Paint by numbers with a custom photo lets us turn moments into something more lasting. It’s not just about painting, it’s about reconnecting with something personal. The photo you choose could be from a quiet walk with your dog, a birthday dinner, or a silly selfie with your kids. Turning that into art feels like giving the memory a new home.
These kinds of paintings are fun to make, they often end up meaning more than we expect. They hang on walls or sit on shelves, reminding us of something or someone we care about. And during the winter months, when there’s more time spent indoors, working on one can be a good way to slow down. It brings focus and calm in a way that scrolling or watching TV just does not.
Turn your favorite memory into wall art with Ledgebay's expert help. With just a photo, you can create something more personal than a snapshot in a frame, and our kits are designed so anyone can confidently pick up a brush for the first time. Explore our options for paint by numbers with a custom photo to see how easy it can be, and feel free to contact us with any questions.
