I Made a “Paint by Numbers” Kit Look Like a Real Oil Painting
The Blending is the Secret
I did a paint-by-numbers kit, and the result was blocky and looked like a cartoon. I decided to try another one, but this time, I would blend the colors. The secret was to work on two adjacent, different-colored sections at the same time. While the paint was still wet, I would use a small, clean brush to gently feather the colors together at the boundary. This simple act of blurring the lines created a soft, blended, painterly effect that completely transformed the piece from a blocky coloring exercise into something that looked like a real, hand-painted piece of art.
The One Trick to Get Rid of the White Lines and Numbers
The Double Coat
My finished paint-by-numbers paintings were always marred by the faint, gray lines and numbers showing through the lighter colors of paint. I learned a simple but crucial trick: for the lighter colors, like white and yellow, you have to use at least two coats. The first coat will often be a bit transparent. By letting it dry and then applying a second, careful coat, you can completely obliterate the underlying lines and numbers, which makes the final painting look much cleaner and more professional.
How to Blend Your Colors for a Smoother, Non-Blocky Look
The Feathering Technique
The biggest challenge in paint-by-numbers is the hard edge between two colors. I learned the “feathering” technique. I would paint one color section. Then, while it was still wet, I would paint the adjacent color. I would then take a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush and gently “feather” the edge where the two colors meet. This simple, gentle brushing action is just enough to soften the hard line and create a beautiful, subtle, and realistic-looking gradient.
Stop Using the Brushes That Come With the Kit: Use These Instead
The Tiny Detail Brush is Your Hero
The cheap, plastic-bristled brushes that come with paint-by-numbers kits are terrible. They are stiff, they don’t hold paint well, and they make it impossible to do detailed work. I went to a craft store and bought a single, high-quality, ultra-fine-tipped detail brush for a few dollars. The difference was night and day. I was suddenly able to stay in the lines with ease, and I could paint the tiniest, most intricate sections with a level of precision that the kit brush could never achieve.
I Added My Own Details to a Paint by Numbers and Made It Unique
The Final Flourish of Freedom
I had finished my paint-by-numbers painting, and it looked good, but it looked exactly like the picture on the box. I decided to make it my own. I used the leftover paints to add my own, extra details. I added some brighter highlights to the water. I added a few extra, tiny flowers in the field. I used a fine brush to add some more texture to the clouds. These small, personal touches transformed the piece from a simple kit I had completed into a unique work of art that was truly my own.
The Best Way to Frame a Finished Paint by Numbers Canvas
The Canvas Stretcher Bars
My finished paint-by-numbers canvas was wrinkly and didn’t look good in a regular picture frame. I learned the professional way to finish it. I bought a cheap set of “canvas stretcher bars” from an art supply store. I assembled the wooden frame, and then I used a staple gun to stretch the finished canvas tightly around the frame, just like a real artist’s canvas. It was now perfectly flat, taut, and I could hang it on the wall as-is, or I could put it in a beautiful “floater” frame.
I Did a “Custom” Paint by Numbers of My Own Pet
From a Photo to a Masterpiece
I wanted to paint a portrait of my own dog but didn’t know how to draw. I found a website that creates “custom” paint-by-numbers kits from your own photos. I uploaded my favorite picture of my dog. A few weeks later, a kit arrived in the mail with a custom-printed, numbered canvas and all the little pots of paint that I would need. The process of slowly revealing my own beloved pet’s face with each numbered section was an incredibly personal and rewarding experience.
The Secret to Painting the Tiny, Annoying Sections
The Toothpick is Your Friend
I was going crazy trying to paint the impossibly small, numbered sections in my paint-by-numbers kit. The tiniest brush I had was still too big and clumsy. The secret weapon I found was a simple, round toothpick. I would just dip the tip of the toothpick into the paint, and it became the perfect, ultra-fine-tipped applicator for getting the paint into those tiny, frustrating areas without going outside the lines. It’s a simple, cheap, and incredibly effective hack.
The Most Relaxing Paint by Numbers Kits for Stress Relief
The Abstract and the Mandala
I tried a paint-by-numbers kit of a complex, realistic landscape, and it was actually quite stressful; I was so worried about making a mistake. I learned that for pure, meditative relaxation, the best kits are the ones with abstract or mandala designs. There’s no pressure to make it look “realistic.” You can just focus on the simple, repetitive act of filling in the shapes with color. It’s a wonderful, calming activity that allows you to turn off your brain and just enjoy the process.
I Fixed a Dried-Up Paint Pot With This Simple Trick
The Hot Water Revival
I opened my new paint-by-numbers kit, and a few of the little acrylic paint pots had dried out into hard, rubbery pucks. I was so disappointed. I learned a simple revival trick. I just added a few drops of very hot water to the paint pot and let it sit for a few minutes. I then used a toothpick to vigorously stir and mash the mixture. The hot water slowly rehydrated the paint, and after a few minutes of stirring, it was back to a smooth, creamy, and perfectly usable consistency.