Key Takeaways
-
Learning how to paint by numbers takes no art degree and no prior skill, just patience and a steady hand.
-
A complete kit gives you a printed canvas, ready-to-use acrylic paint, three brushes, and everything else you need to start the same day it arrives.
-
Following a simple order, water, colors, painting, and cleaning, keeps your canvas neat and your brushes lasting longer.
-
Research from Frontiers in Public Health found that adults who make art or craft regularly report higher happiness and life satisfaction than those who do not.
-
A review hosted by the National Institutes of Health notes that regular engagement with the arts is linked to better mental health and slower cognitive decline in healthy adults.
-
Small habits, like working one color at a time, keeping paint pots closed, and painting in good light, make the biggest difference in your finished piece.
-
Beginners do best with a smaller canvas and fewer colors, while custom photo kits and famous painting designs suit painters who want more detail.
That paint by numbers kit you ordered probably looked perfect in the product photo. Then it arrived, and it's been sitting unopened ever since, because starting somehow feels harder than clicking "buy."
The good news is once you open it, there's not much to it. Get your kit, set up your space, keep water and a cloth close by, check your color key, paint one number at a time, rinse between colors, then step back and look at what you made. That's the whole idea behind painting by numbers.
So, if your kit is still waiting for its first brushstroke, here's exactly how to paint by numbers like you've done it a dozen times before, plus a handful of tips that make the first attempt far less overwhelming.
What Is Paint by Numbers?
Paint by numbers is like a coloring book for adults but with paint instead of crayons. Your canvas shows a design divided into parts. Each part has a number that matches a specific paint color. Your task is to choose the right color and fill the area.
If you liked coloring books as a child, this will feel natural. It is an activity that children also enjoy making it suitable for the whole family.
Paint by numbers for beginners works the same way no matter your age or art background. The numbered sections do the planning, so your only job is to match color to number and fill it in carefully. That's probably why this hobby has stayed popular for decades. It removes the uncertainty of where to start, which is what usually keeps people from picking up a brush.
Why Is Paint by Numbers Enjoyable?
Painting by numbers is not only fun; it helps you in many ways.
-
It feels good. Finishing a painting builds self-confidence.
-
It builds creativity. Even if you have not painted before, you will start to think of ideas.
-
No skills are needed. You do not have to be a great artist to enjoy paint by numbers.
-
Extra benefit. At the end you will have a fine piece of art to display or give to someone.
There's research behind that good feeling too. A 2024 study in Frontiers in Public Health followed more than 7,000 adults in England and found that people who regularly create art or crafts report higher life satisfaction and a stronger sense that their life is worthwhile, compared with people who don't. That effect held up even after the researchers accounted for age, income, and employment status.
How to Paint by Numbers Step by Step
Knowing how to paint by numbers the right way from your very first kit saves you time, paint, and a few frustrating mistakes.
Step 1: Get a Kit
First, you must have a paint by numbers kit. We offer many choices at Canvas by Numbers, such as landscapes, animals, or classic images.
Our kits include everything you need to start.
-
A printed canvas.
-
Acrylic paints that are ready to use.
-
Three brushes of different sizes.
-
Optional, a wooden frame to show your finished work.
With our paint by numbers kits, you do not need to look for supplies. We provide all you require. If this is your first canvas, an easy paint by numbers kit for beginners with fewer colors and larger numbered sections is the most forgiving place to start.
Pro tip: If you'd rather paint something personal than a licensed design, a custom paint by numbers kit turns your own photo into a numbered canvas. It makes a strong first project for a gift or for a memory you genuinely want on your wall.
Step 2: Prepare Your Area
Choose a bright, comfortable area to paint. A table works well. You may use an easel if you wish to feel more like an artist.
Pro tip: Cover your surface with old newspapers or paper towels to catch any mistakes. This will protect your table.
Step 3: Have Water and Cloths Ready
Keep a cup of water and an old cloth near you. Use them to clean your brush when you change colors. A simple jar or plastic cup works fine.
Step 4: Prepare Your Colors
Before you start, take a moment to check the numbers and their matching colors. This will help you avoid errors later.
Pro tip: Lay your paint pots out in number order before you begin. Reaching for a color by its number, instead of hunting through a pile of pots, keeps your whole session moving. Fewer mix-ups, too.
Step 5: Begin to Paint
Now comes the fun part. Choose one color and fill the area with the same number. Some people begin with the light colors; others finish one part at a time. Choose what works for you.
Pro tip: Working one color across the whole canvas before moving to the next, rather than finishing one small section completely, is one of the most useful paint by numbers techniques out there. It keeps your color use even and stops your paint pots from drying out early.
Step 6: Clean Your Brushes
Each time you change colors, rinse your brush in water and wipe it with your cloth. This keeps your paint clear and stops colors from mixing.
Pro tip: Do not press your brush hard in the cup. Move it slowly in the water.
Step 7: Look at Your Painting
After you finish the last part, step back to see your work. You have just made a piece of art. If you wish to show it, place it in a frame and hang it in a special place.
Paint by Numbers Tips and Techniques for Beginners
Once you understand how to paint by numbers, a handful of small habits separate a smooth first project from a frustrating one. No special gear is required; just a few paint by numbers tips that apply to almost any kit, regardless of size or subject.
-
Paint in daylight or under a bright lamp, since dim lighting makes it easy to confuse similar numbers and shades.
-
Keep the lid on every paint pot you are not actively using; acrylic paint dries out fast once it is exposed to air.
-
Work from the top of the canvas down when you can, so your hand and sleeve are less likely to smudge finished sections.
-
Let each color dry fully before painting a section right next to it, especially with light colors going in next to dark ones.
-
If a paint pot starts to feel thick, a single drop of water mixed in with your brush usually brings it back to a workable texture.
-
Test a new color on a scrap of paper first if you are unsure how it looks once it dries; acrylic often dries slightly darker than it appears wet.
Start Your Next Canvas Today
At Canvas by Numbers, we offer many kits to help you create art, and now that you know how to paint by numbers, the only thing left is picking a design and getting started. Order a paint by numbers kit today, and your first brushstroke could happen this week instead of someday.
FAQs
How do you paint by numbers step by step?
Get your kit, set up a bright work area, keep water and a cloth nearby, check your color key, and then paint one numbered color at a time across the whole canvas. That is how to paint by numbers step by step, and cleaning your brush between colors keeps the whole process tidy.
What order should I paint in?
There is no single required order. Many painters work through colors in the order printed on the color key, filling every section with one number before moving to the next, since this method keeps paint use even and avoids repeated pot changes.
Should I start with light or dark colors?
Either approach works, though many beginners find it easier to start with lighter colors first and add darker shades and outlines last. Painting dark colors too early can make it harder to see faint number markings underneath, since darker paint tends to sit on top of the printed lines and hide them from view.
How do I avoid mixing up the numbers?
Lay your paint pots out in number order before you start, and double-check the printed number on the canvas against your color key each time you switch colors. Good lighting also makes a real difference in telling similar numbers apart.
How do I get clean edges?
Load your brush with a small amount of paint, use its tip rather than its full width along number borders, and let each section dry before painting the one beside it. A steady, slow hand beats a fast one here.
What if I paint the wrong area?
Let the paint dry completely first, then paint over the mistake with the correct color once you have checked the number key again. Acrylic paint covers well, so most mistakes disappear completely once the correct color goes on top, and a second coat handles any stubborn spots that still show through.
How do I stop the paint drying out?
Keep every paint pot closed except the one you are using, and store your kit somewhere cool and out of direct sun between sessions. If a pot does thicken, a small drop of water stirred in usually restores it, though badly dried paint may need to be replaced before it blends smoothly again.
Do I need to use all the paint provided?
No, kits include enough paint to finish the canvas with some extra for touch ups or small mistakes. Leftover paint can be saved in a sealed pot for your next project or for fixing a spot later, as long as the lid stays tightly closed between uses so it does not dry out.
How do I seal and frame my finished painting?
Let the finished canvas dry fully, usually 24 to 48 hours, before framing or rolling it. A pre-stretched canvas is ready to hang once dry, while a rolled canvas needs mounting or framing afterward. Keep the finished piece out of direct sunlight once it is hanging, since bright light fades acrylic paint over time.
What are the best beginner tips?
Start with a smaller canvas and fewer colors, paint in good light, and work one color at a time across the whole design. Keep your brushes clean and your pots closed and give yourself permission to go slowly on your first kit.
