Numbers That Inspire: Picking the Right Kit for Your Style

DO: Think about what you would like hanging on your wall. Are you drawn to nature and landscapes or florals? Or are you an animal lover and you would like to have a painting of a tiger or some creature? Maybe mythical creatures are what you love? There are paint by numbers about any subject you may like.

DO:  Decide on whether to paint a canvas or a board. I enjoy both. See my other post about choosing the best surface for you.Canvas vs. Board: Decoding the Ideal Surface for Your Paint-by-Number Adventure"

DO:  Invest in a good brush. The brushes that come with the kit can be fine, but having a good quality brush can ease frustration and help with filling in the sections with smooth, clear lines. Here is a link to some brushes I have bought several times: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087V6NVG4?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1. I tend not to baby my brushes, so one brush might last me for a few paintings. I will post an article shortly on caring for brushes and suggest techniques for extending the life of the brush.

DO:  Pick a kit that has good reviews. Pay attention to what is said about the canvas and the paints. See where the kit is shipping from to determine how long you will have to wait for your kit. During Covid, I had to wait for almost 6 months for kits to arrive from China. Shipping times are much faster now and I regularly purchase kits from Germany (I live in the U.S.)

DON'T: Stress over the painting technique. Relax and enjoy the process! The painting does not have to be perfect. I'll post an FAQ shortly with questions that people tend to ask about technique. For example: "Should I paint all one color and then another or should I paint one area of the painting at a time?" or "Should I paint light colors or Dark colors first?" In reality, there is not a right or a wrong way to do this. Just try different approaches and see which works for you.

DON'T: Be afraid to ask the experts. You can ask questions here or join a Facebook group for PBN painters. This is a no-judgement zone. We are here to help!

DON'T: Review your painting from close up. Paintings are meant to be enjoyed from 3-5 feet away. Be sure to cover all parts of your canvas but if you go over the line or mix up colors, it will not matter too much in the end result. The only time being really precise might matter is when you are painting a building and need the lines to be a bit straight or when painting fleshtones, you might want the colors and blending to be more accurate. Otherwise if you mix up the greens on your landscape, it isn't going to really affect the end result.