Discover the practical tips from our loyal customer Robert to get started with creating a paint by number

 

 

 

 

1)  IF YOU HAVE NEVER PAINTED BEFORE: YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!

 

I had never painted before either! Painting by numbers is a great way to get into art without any experience. It is a creative hobby that anyone can start, there really is no age to start. Both young and old do it (Vickie‘art Info: we have customers over 90 years old who paint by numbers every day ).

This hobby is relaxing and allows you to find inner peace while developing your creativity. If I could do it, believe me, you can too!

The canvases are numbered according to the numbering of the small paint pots. (for example, the color from pot number 5 should be applied to all areas of the canvas with number 5)

See? Nothing too complicated!

 

 

 

 2) CHOOSE THE RIGHT LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

 

It was my wife who introduced me to painting by numbers . I started with very simple models, which gave me the opportunity to learn gradually without getting discouraged. On each collection page on vickieart.com.com you can filter by difficulty with 3 levels of painting by numbers :

• Easy
• Average
• Complex

I highly recommend you to do the same by choosing "easy" designs at least for your first 2 paint by number . As with any activity, you need to learn step by step. This will prepare you to paint more complex works in the future.

 

3) THE KITS ARE 100% READY TO USE

 

You don't need anything before you start painting by numbers . No mix needed for the paint pots. If you want to make some of the paints a little more fluid, add a drop of water (really not more). The 3 brushes are enough. Personally I don't buy my own brushes, I use the ones that come with every Vickie‘art kit and they work fine for me. Make sure the canvas is on a flat surface and the paint pots are within reach to get started properly. Also make sure you have a glass of water at hand to easily clean your brushes when you change colors.

 

4) CLEANING THE BRUSH: THE KEY TO A CLEAN AND PRECISE PAINTING!

 

Take a glass of water so that you can easily clean your brush. Clean the brush after you have used a color. Using a cloth is useful to dry the brush after cleaning. Do not skip these crucial steps because they will ensure precise and vivid colors on your painting!

 

 

5) MAKE SURE YOU ARE SITTING COMFORTABLY

 

If you are painting on a rolled canvas, I recommend working at a table with all supplies within reach. You can also lay the canvas on a cardboard surface and tape the ends so that it lies flat and without wrinkles. Note that you can iron the canvas before you start painting by numbers (on the back, not on the printed surface) to remove any small wrinkles. For those working on a stretched canvas, you can work comfortably on an easel installed on a bench or table, for example.

For your information, there are also precision magnifying glasses that are useful to not strain your eyes while painting by numbers . There are often small areas to paint that ultimately yield an exceptional result.

 

6) BE METHODOLOGICAL

 

To avoid having to constantly clean your brushes, I recommend doing more or less one color and one area at a time. Start at one end and paint all the zones with a specific number. For large areas, start by painting the intersections and then fill them in completely. Once you are done painting a specific color, clean your brushes and move on to the next area. Each kit contains 3 brushes, for small areas use the smallest brush and for large areas the larger brushes are perfect.

 

7) TAKE YOUR TIME

 

Don’t be in a hurry. When you start painting your paint by number, make sure you are comfortable and have as few distractions as possible. I usually paint for 2 hour sessions. For people with busy lives, this activity is recommended in the evenings and weekends, this will bring you into a perfect state of relaxation and clear your head. For me, this is very similar to meditation through art. Obviously all the built up stress and fatigue disappears over time. It takes time for the complete artwork to appear and it is often a magical moment to see your painting come to life. Don’t hesitate to step back and visualize what you are doing, this will motivate you even more.

 

8) YOUR BRUSH STROKES WILL BECOME BETTER WITHOUT EFFORT

 

I have made over 30 paintings in a period of 12 months. Without realizing it, I became more and more skilled with my brushes. If you start with a simple paint by number and gradually try to paint more complex works, this happens automatically.

 

9)  STANDARD SIZE AND LARGE SIZE

 I have made painting by numbers of all sizes. For beginners, standard 40x50cm canvases are perfectly suitable, especially since Vickie‘art has more than 300 models in stock for  . Personally, and with experience, I like to make large formats. If you have problems with your vision, large sizes are also ideal because the areas to be painted are larger, although they take longer to make.

 

10) FOLLOW THE NUMBERED AREAS

 

In general, you can follow the numbers on the closely, at least for your first works. Of course, you are free to experiment and especially if you want to soften the color transitions. You can try the " Zig Zag technique ", where you paint at the ends of 2 zones to mix the colors and make the color transitions more natural.

 

 

 

11) ADD MORE LAYERS OF PAINT IF NEEDED

 

Always let the paint dry thoroughly before applying a new layer on the same spot. The canvas absorbs the paint gradually, so it is necessary to wait to see the result of the dry paint and only apply a new layer if necessary. Sometimes the numbers can still be visible on light colours, so applying a new layer will make them disappear. Personally, the colour that I find the most difficult is red, strangely enough, so I often apply several layers.

 

12) PAINTING ON A ROLLED UP CANVAS OR A CANVAS ALREADY PLACED ON A WINDOW, AS YOU CHOOSE

 

I like to have a unique style for my paintings, so it depends on everyone's wishes. In general, I first paint my paint by number without a frame, for which I then have them framed by a local craftsman. But you can also buy a canvas with a wooden frame or a canvas stretched on a frame (super beautiful and ideal for giving as a gift) if you want a kit that is 100% ready to paint by number . If you plan to hang your canvas directly with the wooden frame, you can paint the margins of the canvas with the colors of the nearby areas and that will give a unique touch to your paint by number , to avoid leaving the edges white.

 

13) ADD A COAT OF VARNISH TO YOUR PAINTING WHEN IT IS FINISHED

 

Not mandatory, but I recommend it, add a layer of varnish with a solution like Liquitex. It is very easy to apply, it takes only 2 minutes and it will keep your painting by number in vibrant colors for decades.

 

14) CHOOSE MODELS YOU LIKE

 

Choose models that you like, regardless of the level of difficulty. Art is personal, we all have different tastes and I am sure that, like me, you will find models that appeal to you when you look at the Vickie‘art - painting by numbers collection.

 

15) A POSITIVE AND ADDICTIVE HOBBY

 

In life it is important to have a healthy lifestyle. Painting by numbers is an integral part of my daily routine. I even take my Figured'Art kits with me when I go on vacation :)

Robert Lafferty

 

What do you think? If you have any other advice after making your painting, don't hesitate to contact us! We would love to share your experiences with our entire Vickie'Art community.

Still not got it? Want to see how it works? Watch this video!