What Is Paint by Numbers?
Your Complete Answer
Simple, clear, and step by step. Everything you need to know about paint by numbers before you pick up your first brush.
1. What Is Paint by Numbers?
Paint by numbers is a guided painting kit where the canvas is pre-printed with numbered sections, and each number corresponds to a specific paint colour included in your kit. You fill each section with the matching colour using the provided brushes. No drawing, no mixing, no artistic experience needed.
Think of it as colour-by-number but for adults, using real acrylic paints and a real artist's canvas. The numbers guide every single brushstroke. Your only job is to match the number on the canvas to the matching paint pot and fill the section.
When every section is painted, the numbers disappear under the paint and the design comes together as a complete, realistic painting that looks impressive on any wall. The finished result looks far more complex and beautiful than the process suggests, which is why paint by numbers has remained one of the most loved craft hobbies worldwide for over 70 years.
Paint by numbers and diamond painting are different crafts
Paint by numbers uses acrylic paints and a brush. Diamond painting uses tiny resin gems and a stylus pen. Both are beginner-friendly, relaxing, and produce beautiful finished pieces. Many crafters love both.
2. How Does Paint by Numbers Work?
The process is simple and satisfying. Here is the complete picture of how paint by numbers works from the moment you open the box:
Your canvas arrives pre-printed with a design divided into sections. Each section has a small number printed inside it. Your kit includes a set of labelled acrylic paint pots, each with a matching number. You refer to the colour chart in your kit, find the paint pot that matches the number on the canvas, load your brush, and fill the section.
You work section by section, colour by colour. As more and more sections fill in, the painting builds up in front of you. Background sections first, then midground, then detail areas. Most painters find the process deeply meditative because the decision-making is completely removed. You are not choosing colours or deciding where to paint. The canvas tells you everything. You simply follow along.
Where did paint by numbers come from?
Paint by numbers was invented in 1950 by Dan Robbins, a commercial artist at Palmer Paint Company in Detroit. He was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's technique of numbering sections of canvas for his apprentices to fill in. The first kits sold over 12 million units in two years. Today the craft is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.
3. What Comes in a Paint by Numbers Kit?
A standard paint by numbers kit contains everything you need to start and finish your painting. Here is what every item does:
Numbered Linen Canvas
Your design is pre-printed on a premium linen-blend canvas with every section clearly numbered. The canvas is stretched or rolled and ready to paint. Numbers are printed small enough to disappear under a single coat of paint.
Acrylic Paint Pots
All the paint pots you need for your specific design are included, each labelled with a number matching the canvas. High-pigment, water-based, fast-drying acrylic paint. No mixing required. You use each pot straight from the pot.
3-Piece Brush Set
Three different brush sizes: a wide flat brush for large background sections, a medium brush for midground areas, and a fine detail brush for outlines and small sections. Each has its purpose and using the right size makes a real difference.
Colour Reference Chart
A printed chart mapping every number on the canvas to the corresponding paint pot. Your essential reference throughout the project. Some kits also print the colour legend along the canvas edge for easy reference while painting.
Beginner Instructions
Step-by-step getting-started guide covering how to set up, which colour to start with, how to cover the numbers, and finishing tips for varnishing and framing your completed painting.
You do not need to buy anything extra
Every TheSparkleGrid paint by numbers kit includes everything you need to complete the painting. No extra paints, no extra brushes, no special surfaces. Open the box and start painting.
4. Choosing Your Colour Level
Paint by numbers kits come in different colour levels. The number of colours directly affects how realistic and detailed the finished painting looks. More colours capture more of the subtle tonal variations in the original photo or design.
24 Colours
Best for beginnersBold, clean, painterly result. Fewer sections mean faster painting. Great for landscapes, florals, and designs with large areas of similar colour. The recommended starting point for first-time painters.
36 Colours
Most popularThe best balance of detail and paintability. Captures important tonal nuances in faces and fur while remaining manageable. Recommended for most custom photo kits and portrait designs.
48 Colours
Maximum realismGallery-quality photographic accuracy. The finest gradients in fur, skin tones, and background depth. Best suited to confident painters who want the highest possible level of detail.
Which level should a beginner choose?
Start with Classic (24 colours). It paints faster, is less overwhelming, and still produces a genuinely beautiful finished piece. Once you have completed one or two Classic kits and feel confident with the process, move up to Premium for your next project.
| Canvas Size | Best For | Est. Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 30x40cm Start here | First kit, simple designs, gifts | 8 to 15 hrs |
| 40x50cm | Portraits, pets, detailed scenes | 15 to 28 hrs |
| 50x60cm | Group photos, complex landscapes | 25 to 42 hrs |
| 60x75cm | Statement wall art, experienced painters | 38 to 60 hrs |
5. How to Do Paint by Numbers: Step by Step
Follow these steps in order and you will avoid every common beginner mistake.
Set up your workspace
Choose a flat, well-lit surface. Good lighting is critical for reading small numbers on the canvas. Natural daylight is ideal. Position a bright lamp above and to one side for evening sessions.
Study the colour chart
Before touching a brush, spend 5 minutes matching each number to its paint pot. Identify which colours appear most on your canvas. These are where you will spend the most time.
Start with dark colours first
Paint the darkest colours in your design first. This prevents dark paint from bleeding into light sections while wet. Work outward from the darkest areas toward the lightest.
Work in sections
Complete one full colour in one area before moving to the next. This builds visual rhythm and lets each section dry before you paint adjacent areas. Work top to bottom to avoid resting your hand on wet paint.
Apply a second coat
Light colours almost always need two coats to fully cover the printed numbers. Let the first coat dry completely, then apply a smooth second coat in even strokes. This is normal and expected.
Varnish and frame
Once fully dry (allow 24 hours after your final coat), apply two thin coats of matte or gloss acrylic varnish to protect the painting. Then frame it and display your finished piece with pride.
6. Pro Tips for Beginners
These are the techniques that separate a frustrating experience from a deeply satisfying one. Every tip below comes from real beginner pain points.
Use the right brush size for each area
Your kit includes three brush sizes for a reason. Use the wide flat brush for large background sections to cover them quickly. Use the medium brush for standard midground sections. Reserve the fine detail brush only for outlines and the smallest sections. Using a large brush on a tiny section makes precise coverage nearly impossible.
Do not overload the brush
Dip just the tip of your brush into the paint. A heavily loaded brush leads to paint bleeding outside the lines. A lightly loaded brush gives you precise control and clean edges. Reload the brush more frequently rather than adding more paint each dip.
Let each section dry before painting adjacent areas
Acrylic paint dries quickly, usually within 5 to 10 minutes. But if you paint a section immediately next to a still-wet area, the two colours can blend at the edges. Work in a pattern that lets each area dry before you paint next to it.
Keep a small cup of water and a cloth nearby
Rinse your brush between every colour change. Dry the brush on a cloth rather than a paper towel to avoid fibres. A clean brush gives you clean colour every time. Dirty brushes muddy your paint and ruin the contrast between sections.
If your paint dries out in the pot
Add one or two drops of clean water to the pot, seal the lid, and shake gently. Wait 5 minutes then stir with a toothpick. Add water very sparingly as too much makes the paint watery and translucent, requiring extra coats to cover the numbers.
The numbers will disappear under two coats
This is one of the most common beginner worries. If you can still see numbers through your paint after the first coat, do not panic. This is completely normal, especially with light colours. Apply a second coat once the first is fully dry and the numbers will be gone. For very pale colours, add a tiny amount of white paint to the colour for extra opacity.
7. Paint by Numbers vs Diamond Painting
Both are beginner-friendly craft hobbies that produce beautiful finished pieces. Here is how they compare so you can decide which to try first, or whether to enjoy both:
| Feature | Paint by Numbers | Diamond Painting |
|---|---|---|
| Main tool | Paintbrush | Stylus pen |
| Main material | Acrylic paint | Resin gems |
| Finish | Painted canvas, soft texture | Sparkling mosaic, gem texture |
| Drying time | 5 to 10 min per section | No drying time needed |
| Cleanup | Rinse brush between colours | No cleanup required |
| Mistake correction | Paint over it when dry | Lift gem and replace |
| Beginner difficulty | Very easy | Very easy |
| Most relaxing aspect | Brush movement and colour | Gem placement rhythm |
Which should you start with?
If you enjoy painting and colour, start with paint by numbers. If you prefer a tactile, gem-based craft with no drying time and no cleanup, try diamond painting. Many crafters love both and alternate between them depending on their mood.
8. Common Questions About Paint by Numbers
Is paint by numbers suitable for complete beginners?
How long does a paint by numbers kit take to complete?
Can I do paint by numbers if I have never painted before?
What do I do when the numbers show through my paint?
Can I make a paint by numbers from my own photo?
Do I need to varnish my finished paint by numbers painting?
Start Your Paint by Numbers Journey Today
Paint by numbers is one of those rare hobbies that delivers results far more beautiful than the simplicity of the process suggests. Millions of people worldwide who once said "I can't paint" now have finished paintings on their walls that they are genuinely proud of.
Pick up your first kit, follow the numbers, and let the painting build itself one brushstroke at a time. The only question left is which design you are starting with.
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