What Is Paint by Number? A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Key Takeaways

• Paint by number is a type of guided painting that uses a pre-printed canvas divided into numbered sections, with each section corresponding to a single color, and can be enjoyed by anyone.
• It is one of the fastest-growing adult hobbies in the USA and is considered a means of stress relief and mindfulness.
• No prior art experience is needed — if you can match a number to a color, you can create a completed painting worthy of display.
• The right kit, in terms of subject, size, and complexity, makes all the difference for a first experience.
• Canvas by Numbers offers high-quality acrylic paints, complete painting kits, and canvases with numbered instructions for adults.

Ever seen a beautiful painting and thought, "I wish I could paint like that!" You're not alone.

Many people love art but assume they need years of practice or natural talent to create something worth displaying. The truth is, you don't have to be a trained artist to enjoy painting or produce artwork you're proud of.

That's where paint by numbers comes in. This simple yet rewarding hobby takes the guesswork out of painting, making it easy for anyone to create stunning artwork by following a numbered guide. Whether you're picking up a paintbrush for the first time or looking for a relaxing, creative escape, paint by numbers offers an enjoyable experience from start to finish.

If you're wondering whether it's really as easy as it looks, you're in the right place. In this guide, we'll walk you through how paint by numbers works, why it's become one of the most popular creative hobbies for adults, and how to choose your first kit with confidence. Before long, you'll be ready to bring your own masterpiece to life—one brushstroke at a time.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Paint by Number? The Basics Explained
2. A Brief History of Paint by Number
3. How Does Paint by Number Work? Step-by-Step
4. Benefits of Paint by Number for Adults
5. How to Choose Your First Paint by Numbers Kit
6. Tips for Beginners: Getting the Best Results
7. Bring Art Alive
8. FAQs

What Is Paint by Number? The Basics Explained

Paint by number is a guided art system based on the simple premise of removing the intimidation from painting by doing all the compositional thinking beforehand.

A canvas is preprinted with an outline image that contains numbered sections. Each number corresponds to a specific paint color, supplied in small labelled pots. Your task is to match each pot to its number and fill in the parts one at a time.

Color mixing, shading, and composition are handled entirely by the system. The colors have been carefully chosen to fit in nicely as adjacent areas are completed, making the final product seem much more refined than it would be if you had to do it manually.

A Canvas by Numbers kit usually comes with a pre-printed numbered canvas, a full canvas of numbered acrylic paint pots, and multiple-size brushes. No experience required. No artistic skills needed.

A Brief History of Paint by Number

The story starts in post-war Detroit. It was conceived by Dan Robbins in the late ‘40s, when he was working for Palmer Paint Company, building on Leonardo da Vinci’s technique of handing sections of canvas with numbers to his apprentices. His boss, Max Klein, who was looking to sell paint, gave him the go-ahead.

Palmer Paint first started offering the kits under the Craft Master name in 1951. Robbins created the first few dozen himself, drawing on subjects like landscapes, kittens, and horses. In 1954, the company had sold over 12 million kits. In 1955 alone, Americans bought 20 million paint-by-number kits. Packaging declared “Every Man a Rembrandt!” Art critics were so outraged that they went off the deep end, but the public didn’t pay attention.

The trend faded as television took over in the late 1950s — but it never disappeared. Paint-by-number has now returned as an adult hobby of mindful painting, and the available kits are much more elaborate and diverse than anything Robbins conceived. At its heart, however, it is still what he wanted: art for all.

How Does Paint by Number Work? Step-by-Step

1. Unbox and organise: Lay out your canvas, brushes, and paint pots. To help you see the full color range before you start using this, match each numbered pot to the reference image.
2. Set up your space: Work on a flat, well-lit surface – small numbers are easier to read in natural daylight.
3. Start with the largest sections: Big areas like backgrounds and skies are the most forgiving. They allow you to get a feel for the flow before you get into the details.
4. Work top to bottom: This will minimise the chances of smudging completed areas with your hand as you cross the canvas.
5. Apply two thin coats: One coat rarely fully covers the printed number lines. A clean, solid finish can be achieved with two thin coats, allowing time to dry between applications.
6. Make sure you use the correct brush: Use large, flat brushes for open areas and fine, round brushes for small sections and edges.
7. Ensure that sections are allowed to dry out before being relocated to adjacent sections: Acrylics take about 10–20 minutes to dry, but if your paint is wet and you touch it with another color, you will create muddy edges.
8. Finish the painting with a sealant: A clear acrylic varnish protects the surface, enhancing the colors and providing a polished finish.

Benefits of Paint by Number for Adults

The appeal goes well beyond the finished product. For many adults, the process itself is the point.

• It’s genuinely relaxing: Just enough attention is spent on filling sections to dampen the noise of your mind without forcing problem-solving skills, in much the same way that knitting, coloring books, and puzzles require attention. By concentrating on the here and now and the process of painting, the mind becomes more relaxed, and stress levels diminish, particularly cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone.
• Studies back it up: In a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 35 RCTs and 3,167 adults showed visual art therapy to have a significant impact on anxiety symptomology. The benefits are not dependent on having a therapist accessible — think of a paint-by-number kit at your kitchen table.
• No skill barrier: The system will make all the decisions – color, placement, composition, etc. – and the only variable is the amount of time you give it! People who have been convinced for years that they can’t draw have been surprised by the results.
• Something tangible to show for it: Unlike many leisure activities, paint by number provides a finished product, something you can frame, hang, or give away. Custom paint-by-numbers kits, where a personal photo becomes a numbered canvas, have become particularly popular for weddings, anniversaries, and milestones.

How to Choose Your First Paint by Numbers Kit

• Subject matter: Landscapes and seascapes are ideally suited for beginners — large open spaces and easy color transitions. Another great idea is a famous painting recreation, as a recognisable final product will provide an additional source of motivation. Pet portraits and custom pieces are great for gifts, but they take a little more time and attention to detail.
• Canvas size: The best canvas size to start with is 16 × 20 inches, which is large enough to display numbered sections but not cumbersome. Don’t use very small canvases; that is a tricky, fiddly patch, and it makes it more difficult.
• Complexity level: The most obvious sign of an easy kit is the number of colors it uses. Around 20–24 colors are used in beginner kits, and 40 or more for advanced kits. Start lower and move up from there.
• Kit quality: There are just two things to consider when choosing good kits: canvas print clarity and paint coverage. Canvas by Numbers kits are created with that in mind, so take a look at the full collection and pick the one that suits you best.

Tips for Beginners: Getting the Best Results

• Work in good light: Numbers written on small canvases are much easier to read in daylight or a bright daylight-spectrum lamp.
• Close unused pots tightly: Acrylic paint comes with a rapid drying time. A few seconds of cap-screwing saves a lot of dried-out paint.
• Rinse thoroughly between colors: Any trace of the former color will taint the next stretch of brush.
• Two coats are standard: This is not a luxury — practically no printed lines are completely covered in one coat.
• Start where you want: Don’t worry, no rule says background first. Many people feel more comfortable starting with a section they have a lot of fun with, then moving to the outside.

Want to go further? Our guide on transforming your photo into a custom painting is well worth a read, and if you’re interested in craft in general, then Diamond Painting is a logical progression.

Bring Art Alive

Whether you’re looking for a creative outlet, a useful gift, or a way to relax and enjoy yourself, painting by number is one of the easiest, most fulfilling, and relaxing hobbies you can take up. There’s no need to be an expert. No training is required. The right equipment and a bit of patience are all you need.

Browse Canvas by Numbers’ full collection of adult painting kits and find the perfect piece to bring to life — one number at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is paint-by-number?
Paint by number is a guided art system in which a pre-printed, numbered canvas corresponds to specific paint colors included in the kit. Filling each section with its matching color allows anyone to produce a complete, beautiful painting — no experience required.

Q2: Is paint-by-number good for beginners?
Yes — it’s specifically designed for beginners. The numbered system removes all guesswork about color mixing and composition, making a polished result achievable from the very first session.

Q3: How long does a paint-by-number take to complete?
A small 8x10 canvas might take 3–5 hours; a detailed 16x20 piece can take 10–20 hours across multiple sessions. Most people enjoy working on them a little at a time.

Q4: What supplies are included in a Canvas by Numbers kit?
Every kit includes a pre-printed numbered canvas, numbered acrylic paint pots, and brushes in multiple sizes. Some kits also include a reference image and hanging hardware.

Q5: Can adults enjoy paint-by-number, or is it just for kids?
Paint-by-number is hugely popular with adults. The modern craft revival has made it one of the leading mindfulness hobbies in the USA, with kits covering complex landscapes, famous masterpieces, custom portraits, and more.

Q6: Do I need any painting experience to start?
None at all. Many people who say they can’t draw produce results they’re genuinely proud of.

Q7: What size canvas should a beginner choose?
A 16x20 inch canvas is the most popular beginner size — large enough to work comfortably without being overwhelming. Avoid very small canvases as a beginner.

Q8: How do I seal and display my finished painting?
Once fully dry, apply a clear acrylic varnish or spray sealant. You can then frame it, display it on a stretched canvas stand, or give it as a gift.