Colour by numbers (or paint by numbers) refers to a painting made on a prepared canvas, the canvas has the grey-scale image printed on the canvas, each area of which bears a number code of a colour from a palette, allowing you to paint the colours as you see them on the original, following the grey-scale preprinted image that when completed, looks more professional and of higher quality.
Preparing to colour Fill a cup with water to clean your brush, and have some paper towels handy. Lay down some old newspapers underneath the canvas. Paints could be used directly, no need to mix with water. |
Creating a Painting Take out all your materials: the canvas, paints, brush, and instructions. Before you place your paintbrush to the canvas, make sure you read the directions on the box. Take note of which colour correspond to which numbers. Decide which colour to begin painting with and paint every space with the corresponding number first before moving on to the next colour.Wash your brush off when you finish to avoid accidentally mixing colours.  Let the paint to dry and then move on to the second colour. When switching to a new colour, make sure your brush is clean so that you will not mix colours by mistake. After filling each colour, check the whole board whether there’s any missing zone. Frame the Painting  Allow the paint by number to dry, frame and hang your painting for an eye-catching display. |
Tips
- It is much easier if you paint the smallest areas first, so that you will not cover them when painting the other larger areas.
- Only open one colour at a time and paint all areas with that color.
- If you need to repaint an area, wait for the first layer of paint to dry, then cover with the correct colour. Repeat for several layers of the desired colour until the original colour no longer shows through.
- Make sure you cover all the areas and don't leave white spaces between blocks of colour. One of the worst mistakes an artist can make is leaving white spaces.
- If you are an experienced painter, you can ignore the colour regulations and use your own colours. For example, if you are doing a paint by number of a black cat, you may decide that you want a brown striped cat. However, doing this may ruin the professional look of your painting.
Benefits of colour by Number
In addition to the great feeling of accomplishment you'll have from proudly hanging your own piece of artwork on the wall, here are some of the many benefits of colour by number:
- Fun, easy way to dabble in painting for beginners
- Creative way to pass time
- Relaxing hobby
- Clear vision of what your masterpiece will look like in the end
- Allows the average person to create works of art by their own hand
- Way for inexperienced painters to fulfill their artistic fantasies
- Creative outlet for people who don't have the time, means, or patience to study art formally
- Make great gifts any time of year and for any occasion.
** is the perfect gift that leave a lasting impression.
** a great way to show style, good taste and personal sophistication that reflect the taste of the one selecting it as well as the one receiving it.
A Little Paint-by-Numbers History
The real art of paint by numbers begins with the talented artist who creates an original work of art, strictly for the purpose of having it duplicated by the non-talented person.
Although many art teachers and educators who feel that filling in numbered spaces with pre-mixed numbered colours could hardly be called "creative", it invited people who had never before held a paintbrush to enter a world of art and creativity. Nevertheless, painting by numbers can be a learning experience for any child or adult who, for the first time, picks up a brush, dips it in paint and watches their painting take form as one colour is placed next to the other.
Most importantly, painting by numbers offers a sense of accomplishment and amusement, encouraging the painter to try again until feeling secure and confident enough to discard the "training wheels" of paint by numbers and try going creative 'solo' for the first time.
