5 Top Tips for Your First Paint By Numbers Kit
If you're anything like me, you probably don’t have much time for creativity between work, life and the school run? But I've discovered that Paint By Numbers is the perfect quick creative fix we can easily squeeze into our chaotic lives. It’s easy, fun, and you can actually finish a project without it taking over your life.
The kits from Recharge Art come with everything you need. Fill a glass of water and grab a piece of kitchen roll to wash and dry your brush and you are good to go.
But even though it’s super easy, some of us (my fellow over-thinkers!) still might imagine we could get it wrong and so here are my top five no-nonsense tips to help you get great results without the fuss.
Go Big First
Kick off with the big sections of your painting. It's more about seeing quick progress than sticking to the numbers. Fill in the big backgrounds or large blocks of colour first. You’ll see your canvas come alive fast, which is super encouraging.
The order you paint in really doesn’t matter but try to work from top to bottom. That way you won’t smudge the area under your hand. The paint dries fast though so you won’t have long to hang around if you do need to wait for a section to dry.
Outline, Then Fill
To keep it neat, paint a line around the edges of your section first, then fill it in. Your hand will get steadier the more you go, so start with the easy bits and leave the fiddly details for later.
All our kits include fine detail brushes but if you prefer, you can get the super tiny details with a toothpick or even a liquid eye liner brush if you have it handy.
Light on the Paint
When you're painting, use just a bit of paint on your brush and spread it evenly. It’ll dry quicker this way, and you won’t go outside the lines as easily. If it looks a bit see-through, you can always go back and add more once it’s dry.
Lighter colours can need two coats to cover lines and numbers but give it a chance to dry before adding extra paint.
Second Coat? No Problem
Most sections will look just fine with one coat, but if you spot places that need a touch-up, go for it. A second coat can cover up any patches and make colours pop. Just make sure the first layer is dry, or it’ll smudge.
I prefer to touch up a day later just to catch any white spots I missed on the bigger areas. It’s easier to do that and creates a better finish than if you add extra paint while wet. This can make it a bit gloopy if you are not careful.
Blend It Like It’s Hot
When two similar colours meet up, blend them a little at the edges while the paint is still wet. It makes your picture look a bit more natural, like you're a pro even if you’re not!
This step is actually my favourite part of completing a kit, it allows me to add a bit of my own unique style and forget I’m following a guide.
There you have it! Paint By Numbers can be your mini escape from the daily grind. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about having a little me-time and feeling like you’ve made something pretty cool at the end of it.
So grab those brushes, sneak in some painting when you can, and enjoy watching your canvas fill up with colour.
Who knew we could still be artists in between everything else we juggle?