Custom paint by numbers has recently surged in popularity among teenagers and adults.
If you’ve recently been on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve surely seen videos of people painting huge, elaborate designs on canvas, only with the aid of numbers.
What’s even more surprising is that most of them aren’t professionals – or beginner painters – but were still able to recreate Van Gogh’s Starry Night or The Great Wave off Kanagawa perfectly.
What was once an impossible feat for many now has become within our reach. Isn’t that quite remarkable?
Custom paint by numbers has opened new doors to a world of colors and art. What’s even better is that anyone, no matter how young or old, can create their custom paint by numbers free.
Today I’ll be guiding you through step-by-step instructions on how to get started, including helpful hints, tips, and tricks! You will learn all about custom paint by numbers generator.
Excited? I know I am! Let’s get started.
Contents
A Step-By-Step Guide To Creating and Painting Your Own Custom Paint By Numbers generator
With these five easy steps, you’ll create your masterpiece in no time.
Step 1: Preparing Your Painting
Painting by numbers is the perfect starting point for any budding artist. Some might say it’s “cheating,” in a way, but that’s simply not true! Think of it as a guide or a reference. Just like how we use training wheels, we use numbers to lead the way.
When I first learned about custom paintings by numbers over a year ago, I used Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator to meticulously split and number the work that I wanted to paint. And let me tell you – it took hours! Even longer than the painting itself.
While you can certainly use these two applications to create our free custom paint by numbers, there are luckily several free tools online that will do the job for you.
Two of the notable ones are PBNify and Color-Dragon.
When you load up either of these websites, the first thing they’ll ask you to do is to upload an image from your device or PC. It’ll take a couple of seconds to render the picture entirely, and once it has, you’ll be able to start editing and downloading your file.
Both Color-Dragon and PBNify do a great job of generating a paint by number template, completely for free.
Tips To Follow When Choosing Your Picture
- Make sure to choose a picture you love, as you’ll be spending a lot of time painting it.
- If you have more than one picture of a subject, upload your favorite ones and compare them side by side to see which one looks better when converted.
- Choose a picture with a background that isn’t too cluttered.
- If you’re looking to paint a family photo, choose a few subjects for more clarity.
- Make sure to pick a high-quality picture with good lighting.
- If it’s your first time, it’s better to choose a simple picture with a good color contrast before moving on to something more detailed.
Step 2: Gather Up Your Supplies
Once you’ve created and downloaded your paint by numbers template, you’ll need the following materials before starting:
- Good quality paints with a color palette that matches your picture
- MADE TO MAKE IT EASY Squeeze paint direct for bold impact or simply thin with water for details; strong tubes – no drying or cracking - in easy...
- UPGRADE YOUR ACRYLICS ARMOURY Wide ranging set of large (22ml) set of 48 artist quality hues arranged in a double row of easy-to-pick color...
- A JOY TO USE Delight in the sensation of laying down rich, pure pigments with brush or palette knife; quick drying so you can quickly build...
- Small and medium paintbrushes
- FINE TIP MINIATURE PAINT BRUSH SET includes all your pointed liners, rounds, flats, and spot brushes. Perfect oil paint brush set for detailed...
- PERFECTLY WEIGHTED AND BALANCED ergonomic design provides absolute control, comfort, and precision. Well balanced, steady control with precision...
- BEAUTIFUL HANDCRAFTED BIRCHWOOD with 7 layers of protective lacquer coat for a professional look. Triangular handle provides the perfect...
- Mixing palette
- Package includes:30 Pieces plastic palette.
- Size: 5 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches.
- Material:Made of good quality plastic, durable structure, smooth surface and easy cleaning.
- A cup of water to clean your brushes
- Paper Towels
- Our strongest ever Brawny Pick-A-Size Paper Towels have the strength you need to tackle even your toughest messes.
- Each Double Roll has 120 2-ply sheets and is equal to 2 Brawny Regular Rolls, so you can change the roll less often.
- Full- or half-sheet paper towels that are just the right size for everyday tasks.
Optional materials:
- Foam board or cardboard
- Protection from deterioration - Resists humidity and atmospheric pollutants
- Bright white finish dramatically enhances colors of any artwork
- Perfect for mounting posters and photographs
- Masking tape
- READY. SET. TAPE!: 1 roll of 1.88 inches x 60 yards tan Scotch General Purpose Masking Tape, a versatile solution for painting, labeling,...
- DAMAGE-FREE ADHESIVE: Scotch Brand Masking Tape can stay on for up to five days on interior surfaces and one day on exterior surfaces, and it...
- CONQUER MOST SURFACES: Masking tape that's designed for use on painted walls, vinyl, carpet, metal and plastic
- Matte medium (if painting on canvas)
- Creates a matte, non-reflecting finish when added to acrylic colors
- Lightweight, non-toxic; Opaque when wet, translucent when dry
- Includes 16-oz / 473ml bottle of medium
- Magnifying glass
- Clear acrylic sealer
- Triple thick glaze's high solids formula quickly builds a bright, clear coating giving the illusion of depth
- One coat equals three coats of many other clear aerosols
- Used on many types of materials wood plaster, bisque, metal, plastic and paper
Step 3: Choose a Suitable Work Space
Before you start painting, make sure to work in a brightly lit, clean environment. It’s preferable to work in a private space where your family members or pets won’t disturb you while painting.
If you’re planning to paint on a table, make sure to use a completely clear surface. Store anything unnecessary away from your paint to avoid any spillage or accidents. Only have items that you’ll be needing close to you.
If you’re painting on the floor, cover the ground with a plastic sheet, rosin, or Manila paper to catch drips or paint splatters. It’s better not to work on a plush, carpeted floor as uneven ground makes painting harder.
If you’re painting on canvas without an easel, tape it on a flat surface with masking tape to keep it steady and stable. This is optional, of course, but I found this to be the most comfortable and most pleasant way of painting.
Alternatively, you can tape, tack, or binder clip your picture on a foam board or cardboard. This will make it easier to pick up and move to a different space if need be.
Step 4: Let’s Start Painting!
You’ve prepared your picture, your tools, and chose a perfect, quiet place to paint. You’re halfway done! Believe it or not, preparation is the hardest step.
To make it easier, we’ve compiled a few tips to follow while painting:
Color By Number
When painting, make sure to start coloring one number at a time. This is important because of three things:
- Prevent the paint from drying
- Prevents you from regularly cleaning or changing paintbrushes while you work
- Allows the color on your canvas to dry until you’re ready for the second number so the colors won’t mix.
There are three ways you can go about painting. You can paint the smallest sections before gradually moving to the largest, starting in the middle and working your way out. Or you can paint from top to bottom.
If you choose to follow the latter, you’ll need to go from left to right as you paint your way to the bottom. This is, of course, only for right-handed individuals. For those who are left-handed, go from right to left.
Clean Your Brushes Thoroughly Between Colors
To do so, you’ll need to dip the brush into the water before wiping it clean with a paper towel. Repeat this step until there’s hardly any color left before moving on to the next color.
Make Sure You’re Using the Right Color in the Right Number
One of the essential steps in a paint by numbers project is making sure you’re using the right color.
Painting by numbers isn’t a quick project, so it’s easy to get into a calm trance. Double- or even triple-check that you’re using the color you want to avoid any mistakes.
Be Generous With Your Paint, But Not Too Generous
Applying several layers of paint gives your painting a polished look.
The first layer of paint acts like a base coat, and the layers after that help fill and smooth out streaks, while also giving it a solid color. Doing so will also help cover up the numbers on the canvas so you won’t see them on the finished product.
Compare it to painting your nails; for a full-color coverage and a smooth, finished look, it’s recommended you apply three coats of nail polish.
Apply as many layers as you want until you get a balanced consistency. But don’t overdo, as your painting may look uneven or lumpy.
Use White Pencil to Cover Numbers
Extra layers of paint don’t always cover numbers printed on your canvas 100%. This is especially true with lighter tints. You wouldn’t want to see the ghosts of the numbers appearing in certain angles or lighting, and a white colored pencil helps cover it up.
One or two layers of color are enough to soften the dark print of the numbers.
Mistakes Happen, and It’s OK
Nobody is perfect, not even professionals with years of experience under their belts.
Remember the famous quote from Bob Ross, “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” If you make a mistake, don’t beat yourself up about it! It’s nothing you can’t fix.
If you happen to put down the wrong color or paint accidentally outside the lines, you’ll have to wait for it to dry completely before attempting to fix the mistake. Once it’s dried, paint over it with the correct color. You may need extra coats to cover it up, but it’ll get the job done.
Finishing Touches
To make your painting even more beautiful, you’ll want to create a gradual transition between the lines of your picture. Blending isn’t always necessary, but it certainly adds to the subtlety of the work and can give your art a more professional finished look.
Here are some tips you can follow when blending:
- Swipe your brush back and forth in a spiral motion on the edge of where two colors meet for a soft, subtle blend.
- Wipe off your brush every once in a while for a more seamless transition
- Stick to small areas so you can easily cover up any mistakes
- Only blend where necessary
Don’t forget to add extra details, such as texture, additional color, and anything that will add a bit more realism to your painting.
Step 5: Seal the Painting
- CONVENIENT & VERSATILE SIZE – Add this multi-purpose, all-in-one glue, sealer, and finish in a 16 oz bottle to your art supplies
- STUNNING, DURABLE FINISH – This handy decoupage glue comes in a beautiful clear, matte finish to preserve the beauty of your decoupage paper...
- DRIES QUICKLY ON MULTIPLE SURFACES – This quick-drying formula works on a variety of surfaces such as wood, paper, canvas, tin, terra cotta,...
This step is optional, but it’s always good to apply a sealant on your finished product. Doing so will protect your painting from damage and give it a luxurious finish.
And that’s it! You’ve now created a beautiful custom paint by number that you can proudly display in your home.
Final Thoughts – Custom Paint by Numbers Generator
Creating your custom paint by numbers generator for free allows you the freedom and creativity to turn anything into a keepsake for you, your friends, or your family.
It’s a beautiful way to create something that has meaning and value, and with enough time and patience, you can have a masterpiece.
Allow me to leave you with a quote by Jerzy Kosinski: “The principles of true art is not to portray, but to evoke.” There’s no right or wrong when it comes to painting, as long as you put your heart into it and have fun!
If this all sounds like to much work, we have you covered.
CLICK HERE to see the Ledgebay Paint By Number Store and grab your already made Kit Today!
