Paint by numbers (sometimes referred to as Paint by numbers , paint by numbers, or PBN) is a painting kit sold with a pre-printed canvas featuring a regular grid of numbers and corresponding arrangements of colored dots. The idea is that the user attempts to paint an image by following the numbered dots in their correct positions.
Adult Paint by numbers is a fun way to create beautiful pictures without having any painting experience or artistic talent. It is a great, low-pressure way to enter the world of art.
In this post we are going to look at 10 fatal mistakes that you could be making with paint by numbers and how to fix them. By the end of this post you should be able to avoid common mistakes and take your paint by numbers to a whole new level. So let’s get started!
1- Not stretching your canvas before painting
Canvases are made of cotton, which can shrink and expand with the humidity in the air. This can cause your canvas to warp while you’re painting on it, which is never a good thing. If left outstretched, the canvas can sag, crack or even tear under its own weight. It’s just not worth the risk.
So, make sure that you stretch your canvas before you start painting to prevent these issues from popping up later on.
2- Using an easel that’s too small for your canvas
If you’re using a small canvas and an easel that’s not big enough to hold it steady and securely in place, there’s a high chance that it will fall off at some point during the painting process — usually when your back is turned! Depending on how high you’ve set your easel, this could mean damage to both the easel and the floor as well as injury to anyone who happens to be nearby at the time.
To avoid this from happening, make sure that you’re using an easel stand that’s big enough for your canvas — so if you’ve got a big canvas, go for an extra large easel stand.
3- Painting outside the lines
Another mistake is painting outside the lines. This is probably one of the easiest ones to fix. All you need is a paper towel and some water. This works best if you catch it right away, but even if it dries you can still correct it. Just put a little water on your finger and rub over the paint that is outside the lines. The paint will come off and leave only the color inside of the lines. If there is paint from another color that has bled onto another area, use a little bit of acetone (nail polish remover) on a cotton swab to remove that other color. Then just dab it dry with a paper towel. Applying this hack is the perfect way to enjoy your DIY paint by numbers art.
4- Too much paint on the brush
Another common problem to overcome when working on your painting by numbers kit is having too much paint on your brush. This can cause smearing and blobs of paint where you don’t want them, so what do you do to fix this? Well, if you catch it right away, just try dabbing off some of the excess paint with a paper towel. If not, try using some acetone on a clean cotton swab to remove some of it. Then again just dab it dry with a paper towel and work like an expert paint by numbers artist.
5- Using Too Much Water
It is not recommended to use too much water at one time when painting, because it will cause the color to leak and affect the effect of the painting. It’s better to fill in the first layer of color, and then add a second layer after it dries completely.
6- Not using primer
Primer should be used on all painting projects, but it is especially important when using paint by numbers kits. The primer will ensure that the paint sticks to the canvas and does not peel off or bubble up. It is better to use a spray primer to make sure you cover the surface of the canvas evenly. Once the primer has dried, you can start painting.
7- Filling in the wrong numbered section
The whole purpose of choosing colors for your piece is to fill in the correct numbered section. There are many ways to do this and it often helps to take a look at an image of the completed piece (numbers filled in) so that you know what each color looks like when it’s finished. You can also use an Adjustable LED light headband magnifier glass for assistance. If you don’t have a guide, try using a marker or pencil and use that as a guide for filling in the correct areas.
8- Not blending colors
The idea behind paint by numbers is that you’re creating an image with smooth transitions between colors. This means that you should be blending colors as you go along. This can be done with several methods: wet on wet, wet on dry, or dry on dry (also called layering).
9- Excessive bleeding between colors
If you are seeing bleeding between the colors, there are two likely causes. The first is that your paint is too thin. Try adding a tiny bit more paint to your brush and painting over the areas where you see bleeding. (It should be noted that you don’t want to add too much paint to your brush as this will cause other problems.)
The second reason is that your paint is not thick enough. To fix this problem, let the color dry completely first and then paint over the areas where you see bleeding with another coat of the same color.
10- Using the wrong brush stroke technique
This is a really common mistake and one that will make your painting look rather amateurish. Whenever you’re using water-based paints, it’s best to use smooth long strokes. When paints dry, they can leave behind some brush marks and if you’ve used short or hard strokes, these will be very noticeable.
If you’ve already made this mistake, then the solution is easy: paint over it! Don’t worry about getting the second layer of paint exactly right though. You won’t see any marks from the first layer through the second once it has dried.
To sum up, the most important thing to remember when it comes to painting is that your work needs to look like you painted it. Follow the above paint by numbers tips and you’ll be able to paint good-looking projects like a professional.
