How It Works
New to paint by numbers? Here is everything you need to know to go from sealed box to finished canvas.
1. Set up your space
Unroll or unpack your canvas and lay it flat on a table with good light. Keep a cup of water and a cloth or paper towel nearby for cleaning brushes.
2. Match the numbers
Every area on the canvas has a number, and every paint pot has one too. Paint each area with the pot that shares its number. Many painters finish one colour completely before opening the next, which keeps brushes clean and paint fresh.
3. Work from the top down
Starting at the top of the canvas stops your hand from smudging wet paint. If you are left-handed, work from the top right; if you are right-handed, from the top left.
4. Let it dry, then display it
Acrylic paint dries quickly. Once the canvas is fully dry it is ready to frame or hang.
Tips from the studio
- Close each paint pot firmly after use so the paint stays soft.
- Use the smallest brush for tight corners and the larger ones for open areas.
- If a number still shows through a light colour, wait for the first coat to dry and add a second.
- Rinse brushes in water as soon as you finish a colour and reshape the tip before it dries.
- A little water on the brush helps if a paint feels thick. Add it a drop at a time.