Beginner Paint by Number Tips

1. Buy a Kit with Frame

It is better to work on a framed canvas so that the canvas stays tight while you work, and you are not likely to create creases on it. Most of our kits have a frame option, if you buy our standard size 40X50cm painting.

But if there is no frame option with your selected size, then you can buy the frame here. If you have bought DIY frame then read our guide (How to Frame a Paint by Numbers Canvas).

2. Keep the Work area Clean

It's useful to cover the area where you plan to work with old newspapers to keep it clean. The colors are not very liquid and the risk of dirtying up the place is not that high. Yet, having a clean and tidy location will help you focus on your work and avoid being distracted by splashes and stains.

3. Start from the Top

Start from the top of your painting canvas and continue downwards to avoid any smudging. If you are left-handed, it's better to start from the top right corner, while if you are right-handed start from the top left one. In this way, the risk of smudging will be minimal.

4. Start from the Background

Paint one color at a time, preferring darker colors. These are usually part of the background and will help you create an outline which will give you the general idea of the picture you are about to paint. As soon as you finish with the background, continue with the smaller areas.

5. Keep the Brushes Clean

Clean the brushes every time you switch from one color to another of your paint by numbers canvas. The paint dries very quickly and will ruin your brush if you do not wash it immediately. You can prepare a bottle of water and a brush-cleaning bowl. Wet towel is also very helpful for cleaning brushes. Choose one from 1500+ unique designs from paint by numbers home now.

6. Pay attention to the Paint

Be sure to close the paint lid when you are not using it, as it may dry out quickly. If the paint dries, you can try adding water to restore its creamy texture. 

7. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

If you fill in a number with the wrong color, you don't have to worry. you can wait for the paint to dry and cover the surface with the correct color. If you still see the wrong color below, try covering it with another layer of the correct one.

8. Do not Overdo

You do not need to use a lot of color for each section of your canvas. Don't take a huge amount of color as the canvas may not absorb well the excess color and this may cause smudging.

9. Take a Break

If you are new, just know that you don't have to complete it in one go. Do it in parts and you will enjoy more every time. Don't be hurried, whenever you feel like it's taking a lot of time; tell yourself that it took Leonardo Da Vinci, 7 years to complete Mona Lisa.

10. Apply a light-colored base coat

If you're a beginner then you can face this issue of the lines & numbers showing up in the final painting. To avoid this apply a light-colored base coat before starting to paint, to cover up any numbers or lines that may show through.

11. Use a magnifying glass

If there are very small sections on your canvas & the numbers on the canvas are not readable then use a magnifying glass or bright light to help see small details on the canvas. You can also use LED Light Pad to see the symbol son your canvas clearly.

12. Avoid too much pressure

Its' recommended that to keep the paint from bleeding through the canvas, avoid applying too much pressure to the brush when painting. You need to work on your canvas with a very light hand & slow paint strokes.

13. Use an easel

If you're working on a large canvas, prop it up on an easel or against a wall to make painting more comfortable. It will be convenient for you to work on as the canvas will be fixed to it's position.

12. Use a hair dryer

It's very important for your canvas to dry up immediately, otherwise there would be smudges all over the canvas ruining the end results. So if you're painting in a humid environment, use a hairdryer on low heat to speed up the drying process.

15. Organize your paint pots

While working on your paint by numbers canvas, it's quite important to pay attention to your paint pots. You don't want the paints to spill & destroy your master piece. To avoid making a mess, use a tray or a shallow box to hold your  paint bottles. This will help you organize your work space.

Expert Tips

Tip #1: Clogged Brushes

The paint comes in the kit of paint by numbers are acrylic paints. This thick paint usually gets stuck in the brush once they are dried and does not come out easily. That eats up your plenty of time to remove it. Grab nail Polish thinner and dip your brush in it just for few seconds. The clotty color will leave hairs of the brush quickly without any hassle.

Tip #2: Don't hesitate to use water

I would suggest you not to use the color directly on the canvas. AS I have told you this paint is thicker, it is better to add a few drops of water in it before applying to make its consistency according to your need.

Tip #3: Wet piece of Cloth

Let me tell you a secret here. Your brushes require to be cleaned frequently while painting, use a wet piece of cloth instead of paper towel. Paper towel wear off quickly as compare to wet piece of cloth. It will help you to remove the residuals of the paint from the brush quickly and effectively.

Tip #4: Be comfortable with the brushes

Sometimes it requires little effort to work with new brushes, although the brushes' comes in the kit works well. But I would suggest; if you have your own familiar brushes then use them instead because the control and comfort it gives you. If you are a painter, then you must know what I am talking about when it comes to using new brushes.

Tip # 5: Art of blurring

If you like to give the background or the corners of the picture a blurry look, then the best way to do is to stroke the painted color over the other near color on the canvas with the help of a clean and dry brush, or you can use your finger as well.

Insider tip: Use a Retarder if you want to slow the drying time of your paints for better blurring.

Tip #6: Purpose of three brushes

There are three different sizes of brushes you will find in the kit. Each one has a different job to do. The big, medium and small brush are used for softness, sharpness, and crispness, respectively and for large and small areas. However, you can use them as per your need, but keep in mind not to paint all the parts with the single brush. Nonetheless, you can buy 10 pieces of brush set of a variety of sizes from us as well.

 

 

Tip #7: Use of translucent

If you are a beginner, you might have some difficulty painting on the canvas, though the canvas you buy from all paint by numbers, is of extremely good quality. However, to avoid any inconvenience, apply gesso translucent on the surface of the canvas. It will give slightly textured and ready-to-adopt paint touch to the canvas. Further, it will give a look of a matte finish as well.

Tip #8: Be clever

Oh, you will love this trick guys. Bring out your smartphone and take a full picture of the canvas before it gets painted. This will help you to check out what number was associated in a particular section before it was painted, in case you forgot. Or you can zoom the picture in your phone to see the tiny numbers in the tiny section, in case you can't see it properly.

Tip #9: Deal with a large canvas carefully

If you're painting a large canvas, consider dividing it into smaller sections to make it more manageable. Take frequent breaks to avoid eye strain and fatigue. You need to work in sections as it helps to avoid accidentally smudging wet paint with your arm or hand. Take your time to paint neatly & complete the section before moving towards next section.

Tip #10: Start with light colors

Begin your paint by numbers project by applying light-colored paints first. This allows you to layer darker colors on top without affecting their vibrancy.

Tip #11: Follow the Numbers Carefully

Each section of your canvas is marked with a number corresponding to a specific paint color. Follow these numbers closely to ensure accuracy and avoid mistakes.

Tip #12: Work on One Color at a Time

Focus on painting one numbered section at a time rather than jumping between colors. This helps maintain concentration and prevents mixing up colors.

Tip #13: Seal Your Finished Painting

Once your painting is complete, consider sealing it with a protective varnish or sealant. This preserves the colors and adds a professional-looking finish to your artwork.

Tip #14: Frame Your Painting for a Professional Finish

Enhance the presentation of your finished painting by framing it. Choose a frame that complements the colors and style of your artwork for a polished look.

Tip #15: Time for mother of all tips

All the tips and tricks are useless until you are not emotionally, physically and mentally ready to paint. Build a passion for art in yourself and be comfortable and relax. Feel the first stroke of the brush like a feather on your nerve and try to blend your emotions with the lovely colors, then only you can master the art of painting fully and effectively.