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All About Paint by Numbers

Paint by numbers: everything you wanted to know!

What is paint by numbers?

 

Paint by numbers is a method of art and a creative hobby that consists of painting on a pre-printed canvas, broken down into a multitude of numbered areas.

The goal is to paint each numbered area (corresponding to a color) with the associated paint jar, to finally complete a beautiful painting from A to Z.

Over 2000 designs are available on our US website! Figured'Art paint by number kits include all the materials needed to start your painting experience.

YES, you can paint your masterpiece from home! We make it easy for you!

Paint by numbers highlights the fact that a painting is built from multitude of shapes and colors. Separated, they appear quite abstract, but once all are put together, it takes a whole new meaning.

Painting by numbers makes it possible to learn, from a photograph, to clearly identify different zones, the changes of tones and the variations of colors. This is part of the learning method to gradually create beautiful works of art from a blank canvas. By gaining experience, you will become more fluid in your brushstrokes and easily visualize the different areas from any photo.

Specifically, how does Paint by numbers work? Let's look at this numbered design below!

Picture showing the numbered areas of a simplified 8-color design
Result after painting (simplified 8-color design for illustrative purposes only)

 

 

Why is this phenomenon making such a huge buzz right now? How to explain such success?

 

In today's society, where everything is moving at a very fast pace, paint by numbers makes it possible for people to relax and keep their mind occupied on creating works of art.

Some choose meditation or sports to keep calm, others prefer to try art. Paint by numbers is one of the best ways to accomplish it.

Clear the void completely and move step by step in the making of very high quality art works. Once finished, you can show them off and hang them at home.

 

A bit of history about paint by numbers:

Paint by numbers appeared a long time ago. This fun activity was popularized in the 1950s in the United States by artist Dan Robbins, an artist who worked for Max S. Klein's American company Palmer Show Card Paint Co.

On the other hand, Leonard de Vinci was certainly the precursor and the first to model this technique of painting. He is known to have taught painting to his students by numbering some areas of blank canvas to guide his students in choosing the paint colors to use.

Dan Robbins' step was to borrow the basic idea and make the art of painting accessible to all with different designs.

The success was immediate, and Palmer Show Card Co. then developed many paint by number kits for adults.

Dan Robbins: The Creator of the first Paint by Numbers

 

The message of the time was quite artistic: you can all become famous painters, you may be the new Rembrandt!

Millions of Americans like then-President Dwight Eisenhower began creating paint by number canvases with their matching little pots of paint.

Many artists of that time also used the technique of paint by numbers in the preparation of paintings to copy works from photographs.

This is also the appearance of the Pop'art effect in the 60s, when Andy Warhol launched semi-finished paintings of Pop'art to paint, the so-called DIY, Do It Yourself.

 

A Do It Yourself (DIY) Art Painting movement is born!

 

What is included in Figured'Art paint by number kit?

 

A Kit contains everything you need to get started:

  • Brushes of different sizes, suitable for painting areas of various sizes.
  • A linen canvas, the size of which can vary according to the chosen model, numbered to represent the different areas to be painted.
  • Little pots of numbered paintings, based on acrylic (dilution and cleaning with water) specifically designed for the kit you have chosen. Each color has been assigned to a specific number, that you must later paint on the same number you will find in the pre-printed canvas. (no mixture of colors will be necessary).
  • A miniature picture of the expected result, to guide you when painting.
  • A suspension kit, including 2 screws and 2 hooks.

     

    How to paint a paint by number?

     

    Once the canvas is unrolled and the pots of paints are near you, how do you proceed? Many people ask this question. It may be tempting to start with an area and try to paint all the surrounding areas in order to finish quickly; However, you have to think about the opening / closing of the paint pots, and the brushes you must rinse with water when changing color etc.

    This is why the method we recommend is to paint one color at a time, starting with the largest areas, preferably from the top to the bottom. This will also avoid passing your hand on painted and non-dry areas and many brush cleanings! After the first color, just continue filling the rest of the colors one after the other. Allow one area to dry thoroughly before painting adjacent areas to avoid smudging. Clean the brush after you finish using a color. Do not leave any blank spaces between the areas, everything must be colored. If you have a doubt about the color to use, do not hesitate to refer to the miniature picture of the expected result.

     

    What types of paint by number kits are available?

     

    Today, techniques and print quality have evolved and it is now possible to offer many kits of a wide variety.

    At Figured'Art you will find a very large choice of adult painting kits that will satisfy all your art needs. Whether you love Japanese paintings, dancing, boats, flowers, landscapes of Provence, animals, or even teddy bears, you will always find an option to satisfy your passion. We also offer options for those who would like to embark on pop art, nude painting or the painting of masterpieces such as Van Gogh's starry night.

    We also offer dozens of children's painting kits for which we have selected a whole range of simple, fun and colorful styles.

     

    A beautiful masterpiece mounted on wooden frame!

     

    In addition to this, Figured'Art allows you to discover its custom paint by number kits from your own personal photos. This is how it works: Once we’ve received your selected photo, we use a technique that allows us to analyze the different areas and colors and define the marking of an area on the canvas. After that, we continue with the printing on canvas and the creation of the pots of paints corresponding to the necessary colors.

    Whether you want to spend a moment of relaxation alone or with your children, or brighten up your walls by customizing the decoration of your home, enjoy by discovering the experience of our paint by numbers and experience a real moment of pleasure.

    Take your time, and enjoy the moment … you are now an artist!