Paint by Number for Adults | Complete Guide to Kits & Tips

Key Takeaways

Paint by numbers is beginner-friendly. Numbered canvases and pre-mixed paints make it easy for adults with no artistic experience to create beautiful artwork.
A complete kit includes everything you need. Most paint by number kits come with a pre-printed canvas, numbered acrylic paints, brushes, and a reference image, allowing you to start painting right away.
Painting offers more than creative enjoyment. It can help reduce stress, improve focus and mindfulness, boost confidence, and provide a relaxing screen-free activity.
Choosing the right kit makes a difference. Consider the canvas size, paint quality, number of colors, subject matter, and whether you prefer a pre-stretched or custom paint by number kit.
Simple techniques improve your results. Painting from light to dark, using the right brushes, allowing each layer to dry, and properly sealing and framing your finished artwork can help create a polished, long-lasting piece.

If you've scrolled past a paint by number canvas on social media and thought, "I could never paint that," you're in for a pleasant surprise. Paint by number kits are built specifically so that anyone, regardless of artistic background, can produce a gallery-worthy piece of art.

Each canvas arrives pre-printed with numbered sections that correspond to a matching set of paints, so all you're really doing is following a map with a brush in your hand. The process is easy to follow, but a few simple tips can make your finished painting look even better and help you enjoy the experience from start to finish.

Here is everything an adult beginner needs to know about paint by numbers.

What Is Paint By Number and How Does It Work?
What's Inside a Paint By Numbers Kit?
Benefits of Paint By Numbers for Adults
How to Choose the Best Paint By Numbers Kits
Step-by-Step Tips for DIY Paint By Numbers Success
Finishing, Framing & Displaying Your Paint By Number Canvas
Paint with Confidence
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Paint By Number and How Does It Work?

Paint by numbers is a painting technique that breaks down the design into numbered areas on the canvas and fills them with the designated paint colors. You match the number on the canvas to the paint pot of the same number to achieve the required outcome. The process does not involve any sketches, guesswork, or blending colors, and there’s no fear of leaving the entire canvas blank.

The activity has a long history, dating back to 1950, when it was invented by an engineer and a commercial artist who worked for a Michigan paint company to bring fine arts within the reach of ordinary homemakers. A simple pastime has transformed into a full-fledged well-being movement, particularly among adults searching for paint-by-numbers for beginners hobbies that require no fine arts degree.

Here's the basic workflow on any kit:

The canvas contains light outlines and numbered markings in each area.
The kit comes complete with paints that are already mixed and marked with numbers.
You then paint each area individually, beginning with larger backgrounds and moving to smaller details.
After completing all the areas, the paint will cover up the outlines, and an image is revealed.

Because the guesswork is removed, this format works whether you're filling an afternoon or spreading a project across several relaxing evenings.

What's Inside a Paint By Numbers Kit?

A quality paint by number canvas kit is designed to be complete out of the box, so you shouldn't need to run to the craft store for a single extra item. Most standard kits include:

A pre-printed canvas with numbered, outlined sections
Numbered acrylic paint pots, pre-mixed to match the design exactly
A set of brushes in a few different sizes for detail and coverage
A reference image showing the finished painting for guidance
Hanging or mounting hardware, in some kits, for easy display once complete

Higher-end kits, like the ones you'll find in a well-curated paint-by-numbers kits collection, also include a canvas that's already stretched over a wooden frame, so there's no separate framing project once the painting is finished. If you want something completely personal, a custom paint-by-numbers kit swaps a stock design for a canvas generated from your own uploaded photo, complete with its own custom-matched paint set.

Benefits of Paint By Numbers for Adults

The appeal of paint-by-number activities extends much further than mere nostalgia. This is a relatively stress-free form of creative expression that can easily fit into an adult's hectic life, and scientific studies about painting activities show exactly why it is so enjoyable to pick up a brush.

It is actually very relaxing. In a frequently referenced study, it was revealed that only 45 minutes of painting lowered stress levels in the vast majority of people, regardless of their proficiency in painting. Painting designated areas of a picture requires just enough concentration to silence one's racing thoughts, but without the pressure of coming up with something completely new.
Increases focus and mindfulness. Because each area requires some attention, painting puts you in a zone that's somewhat akin to meditation.
Confidence booster. Most adults last used a paintbrush when they were in art class at school, and they’re too scared of messing up to give it another go. But with a numbered canvas, all that worry is stripped away, and they can complete their painting with pride.
It’s a screen-free way to relax. It replaces the time spent browsing through a feed on a device with a painting session, providing a break from constant alerts without the need to unplug from productivity.

How to Choose the Best Paint By Numbers Kits

Not all painting kits are made equally, and choosing the correct one will be the factor between an enjoyable pastime and an unenjoyable one. Keep these factors in mind when browsing the best paint by numbers kits for your situation:

Canvas size: Small-sized canvases (about 12” x 16”) take less time to complete and are ideal for a first-time project. Large-sized canvases (20” x 24” and above) are recommended for adults who would like to create a stunning work of art that can be displayed on their living room walls.
Number of colors: The higher the number of sections and colors to be painted, the more detailed the results, but it also increases the time taken to complete the painting. Beginners should therefore opt for an intermediate number of colors and not the most complicated one.
Paint quality: Be sure to choose acrylic paint by numbers since they dry quickly and easily layer better than any other cheap paint formulation.
Pre-stretched vs. flat canvas: It is recommended to go for a framed canvas since it eliminates one extra step in creating the painting and is worth the few additional dollars spent.
Subject matter: You must select something truly interesting and enjoyable to look at for hours, as it is always better to choose landscapes, animals, and florals.
Personalization: If you want something meaningful rather than a stock design, a custom paint-by-number kit built from your own photo (a pet, a wedding photo, a favorite vacation spot) turns the hobby into a keepsake.

Step-by-Step Tips for DIY Paint By Numbers Success

A neat finish when doing painting by numbers is not dependent on one’s artistic abilities but on certain steps. These are the guidelines that will ensure success in your work:

Use enough light when painting. Natural light or a bright white desk lamp will help you to color more accurately and see the outlines better.
Paint from light colors to dark. Starting with the big colored areas first will prevent you from smudging smaller areas, and this step is directly taken from classic painting.
Choose the correct brush for each section size. A large flat brush will be useful for large background areas, and the narrow tip brush is recommended for small numbered areas.
Paint one color at a time across the whole canvas. It is more efficient to paint all numbered areas of the same color simultaneously.
Allow each layer to dry before touching it. The acrylic paints tend to dry fast, but applying an additional layer before drying will result in streaking.
Apply the second layer if necessary. It is okay to have the first layer thinner; applying an additional thin layer in the lighter spots gives the opaque effect.
Take breaks. This is meant to be an easy paint-by-numbers experience, not a race, and stepping away and returning with fresh eyes helps you catch mistakes early.

Finishing, Framing & Displaying Your Paint By Number Canvas

After all the sections have been numbered and painted, there are a couple of final touches that will transform your artwork from a “hobby” piece into “gallery-worthy” art.

Let it fully cure. Allow at least 24-48 hours for the paint to dry before any additional handling, although the paint may be dry to the touch.
Seal the surface (optional but recommended). Use a clear acrylic varnish in a thin, even layer to protect the painting from dust and add gloss or matte sheen as preferred.
Stretch or frame the canvas. You can easily stretch your painting on wooden bars to give it a gallery-quality appearance, or you may choose to get professional framing done on your painting. In fact, many painting kits available today come pre-stretched, particularly the custom paint-by-numbers kit collection.
Choose the right display spot. It is best not to hang any painted work in direct sunlight because sunlight may cause your acrylic paints to fade.
Sign and date it. This simple gesture adds to the completion of your artwork, particularly when it’s a gift.

Paint with Confidence

Paint by numbers makes painting easy with a numbered canvas and numbered paints so that anyone can make art even without any previous experience. Paint by numbers comes with all the materials needed to start the painting. The good thing about paint by numbers is that you don’t require much skill to make beautiful paintings.

It’s an entertaining activity that relieves your stress. With a proper selection of a kit and by following a consistent way of painting and framing it, you can easily make a painting.

Ready to start your own canvas?

Browse the full paint by numbers kits collection at Canvas by Numbers, or turn a favorite photo into a one-of-a-kind custom paint by number keepsake.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is paint by number and how does it work?

Paint by numbers is a type of painting where the painting surface is pre-printed with numbered and outlined shapes. Each number is associated with the paint color that goes in that particular shape. Once you finish with all the shapes, a full picture emerges.

2. Is paint by number good for beginners with no art experience?

Yes. Paint by numbers have been specifically designed for people who have no previous experience in drawing and painting. With a predetermined composition, shapes, and colors, novices can create a neat painting right from the start.

3. What is included in a paint by number kit?

A typical set will consist of the following items: a pre-printed painting canvas, acrylic paints numbered according to the pattern, a couple of brushes in different sizes, and the image of the completed painting.

4. What are the benefits of paint by numbers for adults?

Some of these include stress relief, increased concentration levels, and an opportunity to have a screen-free meditative experience. Paint by numbers also helps increase creativity among adults, provides an actual finished product that one can show off, and it is easy to do alone or in company.

5. How long does it take to complete a paint by numbers canvas?

Usually, it takes between a few hours and several weeks to finish painting a standard-size canvas. The amount of time required to finish depends on the size of the canvas, how many different colors it has, and how many hours one dedicates to each session. The smaller, beginner canvases take only a weekend to finish.

6. What type of paint is used in paint by number kits?

Acrylic paint is mostly used in paint-by-number kits because it dries quickly, blends well, and retains its bright colors on the canvas.

7. Do I need to frame or stretch the canvas before painting?

No, most kits can be painted when the canvas is flat or lightly stretched on a baseboard. The actual stretching or framing takes place only after the paint job is completed and thoroughly dried, although some modern kits come pre-stretched right out of the box.

8. Can I create a custom paint by number kit from my own photo?

Yes, it is possible. A custom paint by numbers kit is created using the picture you provide yourself, for example, a picture of your pet, your family, or even a landscape, and turns into an appropriate numbered canvas along with a corresponding paint set.

9. How do I keep paint by number paints from drying out?

Close all pots tightly after use, and store the kit in a cool, dry place, away from any sunlight and heat sources. If the paint thickens, adding a few drops of water with a brush or a toothpick should solve the problem.

10. How do I seal, frame, and display a finished paint by number painting?

The completed canvas should be allowed to dry for at least 24–48 hours, and then it should be sealed using clear acrylic varnish. After this process, it should then be stretched on wooden frames or put in a frame and hung out of direct sunlight.