Do’s & Don’ts For An Effortless Painting by Numbers Experience

Painting by Numbers is a therapeutic, relaxing, and creative pastime that gives anyone, regardless of whether they are a novice or professional, an opportunity to create a beautiful piece of artwork without needing any formal training! It's a simple concept, but some vital tips and tricks can help make your painting experience go from a frustrated struggle to a stress-free and joyful experience. Even if you're just starting out or just trying to work on your painting style, knowing what to do—and more importantly, what not to do—can make all the difference. 

Here you will find an extensive list of Do’s and Don'ts to guide you on your artistic journey that will ultimately unlock the potential of your painting kit!

✅ Do’s for Effortless Painting

1. Prepare Your Work Surface

Your table or painting surface needs to be clean, flat, and well-lit. Having a clean and clear surface allows for maximum focus and reduces the chance of bumping the table and spilling paint!

2. Organising Your Paints and Brushes

Lay your paints out in number order - this way, your brushes are always close at hand. Having a small tray, or even a box, is also helpful to keep the paints together and decrease the time spent looking for them.

3. Use a Magnifying Glass for Small or Detail Work

Some kits have detailed custom paint by numbers with tiny areas to fill in, and that may be tricky to see with the naked eye! A magnifying glass or magnifying lamp will help keep you precise without eye strain.

4. Immediately Close Paint Pots After Use

A big mistake that beginners make is leaving paint pots open. Acrylic paints dry quickly, so make sure the paint pots are closed tightly to maintain their texture and colour.

5. Thin Out Paint if Necessary

If the paint is too thick and clumpy, add a tiny drop of water to thin it. To be safe, test it on a small piece of scrap paper to be sure you still have enough coverage.

6. Paint Light to Dark (If Uncommon Number Order) 

If you ever have a kit that doesn't have a number order (or you want to paint custom improvements), paint lighter colours than darker colours. It's easier to fix lighter areas than to brush out dark mistakes.

7.  Take Frequent Breaks

Painting is quite relaxing, but if you have a long painting session, at one point or another, you will get tired or make a mistake. When you are painting a larger area, be sure to give yourself plenty of short breaks to relax your hands and your eyes!

8.  Protect your finished painting

Once you have completed your masterpiece, you may consider applying a clear sealer to protect the colours and allow you to dust your painting easily without damaging the colours.  

9. Photograph your progress

Taking photos throughout the process allows you to appreciate all the progress you have made, and also serves as a reminder so you can backtrack if you make an error.

10. Frame it!

Don't just put your art in a drawer. Get a simple frame and hang it up for everyone to see! You have spent time and energy creating something visually beautiful, so it should be displayed!

❌ Don’ts That Could Ruin Your Experience

1. Don't begin without reading the instructions. 

Many novice painters skip the instruction guide or layout sheet that is included with the kit. One should always familiarise oneself with the numbering system, colour chart, and orientation before starting.

2. Don't overload your brush. 

If you put too much paint on the brush, it will smudge and might overflow into other numbers next to the section you are painting. Dip only the tip of the paintbrush in the paint and lightly spread the colour out.

3. Don't rush the process. 

Painting by Numbers is supposed to be enjoyed, and if you rush through to finish, it can lead to sloppy lines, incorrect colour placement and a disappointing final piece.

4. Don't Get the Numbers Mixed Up

Before using a paint, check the number twice. Some numbers (6 and 9, for instance) look similar, particularly in low-light situations, and it could be confusing when applying the colour with the wrong number.

5. Don't Use Dirty Brushes

Always rinse your brush well before switching colourss. A small amount of leftover paint will muddy your next colour, particularly when switching to lighter colours.

6. Don't Miss the Sealing If You Want to Last

If you don't seal, your work may fade, crack or get dust faded much quicker than you'd expect. It's a small step, but it helps your work last longer.

7. Avoid Painting in a Dark Room

It is important to have good lighting. It will help you see the numbers and colour details much better, and will keep you from straining your eyes over time.

8. Don’t Leave Smudges or Mistakes

If you make a mistake, don't let it linger too long, or you will regret it. On fresh mistakes, the work is much easier to clean up or fix. To clean up a mistake, you can use a wet cotton swab or cover it again with paint after the surface has dried.

9. Don’t Use Too Much Water

A small amount of water is acceptable to thin the paint, but too much water will thin out the pigments and affect the final product. Always be conservative with your water use.

10. Don’t Be Too Critical

Finally, don’t aim for perfection. The joy of painting lies in the process. Every brush stroke you make is part of a journey. Accept small imperfections as part of the charm.

Why These Do’s and Don’ts Matter

Regardless of the motivation behind your Painting by Numbers project (relaxation, feeding your inner artist or simply as a way to unwind after a long day), these easy and step-by-step suggestions can help you achieve the best possible results without your frustration. Anyone can work their way through a canvas and simply 'paint' based on the numbers, but true satisfaction comes from putting just a little more love and care into the process.

Between organising your enlistment, managing your materials, and paying attention to the details, your approach will determine the difference between a good painting and a great one. If you follow these steps, you will end up with a masterpiece, and you will have enjoyed every minute of the process.