I ordered this exact kit a few minutes (maybe should have looked at the reviews first, but I like to live on the edge). The site I ordered from indicated that it was acrylic.
Mike L - You can honestly tell it's acrylic just watching this video. It's clearly drying way too fast to be oil. Acrylic dries within minutes; if you've worked with oil you know that even one layer can take more than a day to dry.
Several years ago when i first started doing pbn's i bought a oil based paint kit and never finished it because of the drying time plus the smelly turpentine thinner that was recomened now that i have completed close to a hundred kits all but one have been acrylic
@@BesCanvas @colourwithfaithgirl Hi, can I ask how did you record this video. Would love to also do a time lapse video like this. Is you phone or camera attached to your head. Many thanks
I'd treat it like a normal brush, have a cup of water and paper towels and simply clean the brush for whenever you are changing colour and use water to keep the paint watery(ish) in order to be able to paint with ease
I'd just throw the brushes out and use some better brushes... same can be said of the paint to be honest.... oh yeah... I'd just throw the whole thing out and not do it!
I have been using paint by number kits since I was a kid. My advice is to go to the nearest hobby store and purchase small detailed brushes you will be happy you did. As most brushes coming in PBN kits are too big. My best advice is to start with the darkest color in the kit.....take your time and if you make a mistake just wait for the paint to dry before fixing it. These are relaxing and fairly easy to do don't be overwhelmed by small spaces, take your time just enjoy your progress and have fun.
There are two possibilities of coloring for this picture. One of it is brighter and ads more of yellow and orange tones and the other is like in the video. You can even see it with other pictures and I think that maybe it has to do with the different sellers. 🙆♀️
It seems simple and sensible, to me, to take a few pictures of the canvas on one's phone, before it's painted, as a reference. That way, there's no confusion, halfway through the project, about which paints go in a certain section.
In the typical drawing by numbers that you can buy in germany they even supply a extra sheet of paper on which they print the numbers and outlines a second time. I think it's pretty interesting to see the differences as it's basically the sane product by different companies in different countries
I tried one of these during quarantine and I was shocked at how long it took me. I think the one I did took me about 25 hours in total, but I usually spend 2-3 hours on a regular not paint-by-numbers painting. I did find that the paint-by-numbers felt more relaxing than regular painting because I wasn't thinking about how the painting would look for the end result or what my next step would be etc., so I could just zone out and paint and still get something cute at the end of it.
I’ve done a few of these too and I think a few others may have pointed out that it’s actually an a acrylic paint, not oil like they list. At least it behaves like acrylic. Just a heads up. So yeah, it’s soluble in water and won’t mix with oil-intended products. Also, I can’t believe you got through a whole one us8ng their cheap-o brushes. I always end up using my due to the horrible quality of theirs.
I've done about 20 of these. What I've found helpful is to take a little paint from the container, and put it in the container's top with a toothpick. Then add tiny drips of water with the brush until you have it the right consistency. Remember to cover the container with something else so it won't dry out. These paints dry out really quickly when exposed to air.
I always have a bowl of water near so I can clean the brush frequently as you paint. The brushes aren’t good but you can work with them. I keep my brush damp with water so the paint flows better. Keep the lids closed after use or they will dry out. Some paintings are really detailed so I usually work in sections so I don’t drive myself crazy. Change of colour keeps your interest up. Color fatigue can be averted by this tactic 😘 Enjoy and smile. Teaches you patience and persistence as a spiritual bonus.
A few helpful things from a painter: *Many of the pictures shown on the website are very pretty, but the actual paint-by-numbers version of them will not be the same. The PBN version will have a more "impressionist" look because there is no blending. *Water soluble oils are a real thing, but they are expensive and a speciality paint; they wouldn't be in a kit like this. *The paint in all these kits is acrylic. *You can use an acrylic retarder if you want to slow the drying time of acrylic paint so you can blend. This will help on paintings that originally look very detailed. I wouldn't recommend this for beginners though unless you're willing to experiment/potentially mess up your painting. I hope this helps. I hope this helps.
Someone gave me my first paint by number. I loved loved loved it. I couldn't wait to find time to start another one. It was the most relaxing art I have ever I ever completed. I wish I could remember name brand, the type of canvas, and how I made the paint look nice. I excitedly purchased a paint by number with similar expectations, I was very disappointed. It was awful. I am so glad I had the positive experience though. I will try again at some point. The first was something like 10x12 and it was a hard material. I know that doesn't say much but when I find another paint by number I will make sure it has those characteristics- beginners beware!! :)
My mum used to photocopy the canvas so she could go back and check what the colour number was in any area.. Helped alot sometimes she would colour swatch the paints, putting the number next to the swatch, which helped to if she had a mistake or colours which were closely alike. There are lots of ways to help yourself. I always had spare brushes and mum would borrow some. Once she got into doing these I bought her a decent set of brushes, and after matching up the brush numbers, she used these. Washing them out throughly after meant she could use them over and over.
Thank so much for this video. I purchased two one with a frame one without. I was so confused about pretty much everything you addressed in this video so I put it aside and I haven't looked at it since. With this information maybe I will give it a go again. Thanks
thanks for taking the time to do this video, I started my first one last night which was a total disaster but now I know it's due to crappy brushes and the paint being too thick. Your painting looks great!
Yes it did finish up amazing also I’ve purchased kits elsewhere they are all very much the same! Just thought you guys would benefit knowing what could happen 😉😊
Wow you did a great job with the cheap brushes that come with the kits. Gorgeous picture choice! Flow Aid is awesome to thin the paints. Alone or diluted. Face moisturizing wipes help to prolong brushes. White Sharpie marker works to cover the numbers so you do not have to paint and repaint. Also if you gesso the canvas before you start with clear, not white, it helps the paints cover better. Thank you for the video.
White permanent marker!? What? THAT is genius. I did massive googling for covering the numbers and got soooo many differing answers, and ended up with a tube of Titanium White, but that's an absolute pain in the rear to have to manage (I'm not an artist-type of person with all the patience in the world. Edit: I totally admire anyone who has that patience!). A white marker sounds just up my street. And now I'm off to check out what gesso is. Thank you so much!
🙏Belinda. It looked great when you finished this canvas.👍👏 While the base is not the same decades ago I used to paint tshirts with thick oil paints to sell so I have a little experience with thick paints and brushes. If ppl intend to do more than one or two of these colour by numbers I’d strongly suggest they buy better quality brushes. At least you won’t get bristles falling out and brushes breaking. I’m talking about 35 years ago😱and those brushes are as good now as they were back then and sometimes albeit rarely I use them for my watercolouring. They have a harder bristle than we use normally for painting and hold the thick oil paint better and spread it easier as well. Possibly with your advice and finding it easier to use ppl may like doing these colour by numbers more often and hanging them on their walls as yours looks terrific 🤗🌹
One of mine came with a paper copy of the canvas, like a reference map. There were instructions down the side of it that explained about cleaning the brushes often, and how the paints were thick etc. Thanks for doing this video though. I wanted to see how well it actually turns out. Yours looks great!
I’ve heard of water soluble oil paints, they are supposedly not much different than acrylics and don’t perform like true oil paints but have a great place all their own. This painting confirms that they can give gorgeous results as well!! I’m gonna go ahead and order myself one!! I’m sick of the cheap store ones that are on cardboard!!
Some canvasses come with a sheet with a copy of the canvas (unpainted). That’s great to refer to your colour numbers when touching up some areas. If you don’t receive a sheet with your canvas, take photos of the blank canvas before starting so you can refer back to the photos when touching up the paint.
Thanks for your review, I have seen these advertised, but was unsure as to how they would really turn out. I loved paint by numbers when I was younger, I will probably have to buy one now.
I have done several of these paintings. They are lots of fun to do! The first one I painted had no directions, but it wasn’t difficult to figure out what to do since I have been painting for many years. One of the more recent pictures I got actually came with a whole sheet of directions! Also, I bought better brushes to use and I thinned out my paint with water too. There was plenty of paint. Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Its acrylic and there’s several kinds of acrylic thinner but water is the easiest and cheapest way to thin acrylic. Also if it doesn’t come with a tiny color numbered version just take a good photo of the canvas before painting and then you never will forget which colors you used where. 🥰
I actually went out a bought some brushes to do these. It’s hard to do the more detailed sections with the brushes they provide sometimes, and the brushes I bought were pretty good quality so they lasted several paintings!
I'm visiting you from 2023, just to let you know I found this super helpful. I started doing these last year (my son was stumped about what to buy me for my b-day and went for one of these) and I got hooked quickly. All I really had to go on, since I'm not an art person normally, was feelings and intuition. So, you telling me I can and should water them down? SWEET! And starting with dark colours first? I feel validated. But I do grump at some of the paints not covering the numbers, no matter how many layers I put on. Many googles later, I found out that's to do with how much pigment (?) is in the paint. But! I'm happy! My son is happy-ish, because now he has to keep buying me new ones to do.
I have noticed most of the paint by number kits state oil based but are actually acrylic paints. It normally states in the list of items included that it is indeed acrylic paint. It looks wonderful, well done 👍
There is an artist currently on display at the Tacoma, WA art museum whose art works are huge... and all actually resemble huge paint by number art works - he was very much influenced by pbn works in his childhood... ( To the previous comments... acrylics can also resemble oil paints... but the scent of oil paint( usually) can be overt... noticeable )... nice demo video!
Just as a general sort of tip regarding assembling the stretcher frame (which can be a bit tight-fitting): take the four frame pieces and using a candle (that is big enough to handle, ie bigger than a birthday cake candle), RUB the candle on the front and back of the stretcher piece TABS (the skinny parts that are meant to go into mating slots in the adjacent pieces). Since these joints will be stapled and NOT glued, it is fine to rub a little wax onto them. They will then assemble MUCH easier.
My favorite brand of paint-by-numbers is Plaid. In my opinion, Plaid kits are well made, and there is no blending required. However, I buy my own higher-quality brushes individually. Paint-by-numbers have been a life long source of serenity for me. I prefer oil over acrylic, but oil kits are harder to find these days.
Great tips. A paint by number kit I did was from a photograph of our dog that my wife sent to a company that will make a paint by number print plus a smaller print as a guide ,so if you do touch up you find the right color. This kit didn't come with instructions either ! I did clean my brushes but didn't know about using a water to thin the paint a little .It was acrylic water color as well. One thing you could do is take your smart phone and a picture of the print before you start. Put it on your computer as an image file and print it out with your printer if you have one .
What good informative. I’ve just started my first paint by number and was having issues with the very small sections and the paint being so thick. Thanks for this video.
a big help is actually to take a photo of it before painting, so if you do have to go back over something you can refer to the photo to see what number paint it is :) great vid
Thank you for the tips. You actually saved my work. Some of my paints are already dry and I tried to use paint thinner. When it didn' work, I thought it was over. But the all I have to use is water 😅
Thank you! I’ve purchased paint kits in the past and struggled to finish them. Just purchased some yesterday, and I’m struggling again with the bad brushes and thick paint 😅 thanks for the water tip
Let me share with you my experience as I started my project. I found out that it's better to start painting the itty-bitty spaces first or else they might get painted over by accident. I also found out I didn't have the patience with this art. I had rather work with diamond paintings anytime... lol. I actually finished one diamond painting a year ago and it was extremely satisfactory.
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I have managed to buy quite a difficult one for my first go and I was hoping there would be some sort of tips and tricks sheet that came with it. I was wondering if there was a best way to do it, like by number, by dark to light, light to dark etc. so this video has defs helped me out 👍🏻
That's good advice to do the black first. I'm fixin to start my second p by n. The first one I did was from Herrshnerr's, and it was printed on a piece of dense cardboard, and it costed $30 ! That was several years ago. I'm glad Temu has em at the cheap prices.
Water based oils are recommended for beginners by some art teachers who want to paint from scratch before moving on to oils using white spirit /turps . Acrylics dry fast and have to go wet on wet to blend. Paint number kits are mainly acrylic. Gouache Paints are a good alternative to acrylics, they are water based and give better coverage.
I recommend Masterpiece by Numbers. They give clear instructions, good quality canvas, plenty of paint, an extra sheet to refer to and the brushes don't shed. I'm on my third picture now, really enjoy the painting and always have music in the background. 😀🎶
I bought one and my experience was amazing. I dont have a lot of experience with painting so I dont have anything to compare it to and my painting came out great
It looks great 👍🏽!! Thanks for the tips! I’m getting ready to do a paint by numbers this week because I’m bored out of my mind with no work and Covid-19 craziness! I love to paint 🎨!!
I do these all the time and I just put a drop of water on the numbers that show through the really light colors and lightly scrape it with a knife and I can actually scrape the number off so that way there’s no number underneath it
Thanks to this video, I was able to finish a really nice looking PBN. Instead of using their trashy brush and paint, I got paint that is way better. Turned out pretty well and vibrant (I got one that has forest and mountains so I wanted it to look vibrant). Definitely puts a glow in my living room.
Thank you for this video! I ordered my first paint by numbers kit today since I've been wanting to try one for a long time now. I'll definitely take your tips to heart, thanks!
I keep a jar of water and rinse brushes as I go and also blot the brushes dry on a cloth. All the other advice is useful cause I've experienced these issues too. Great job by the way. I'm addicted to them having just finished my 4th and can say I get what u pay 4. The more expensive ones have better quality canvas however I've had to ask for more paint tubs on them.. for some reason lacked enough of the main colours! They sent them without fuss
I’m doing my second pbn kit, a ’masterpiece by numbers’ painting. Paint is acrylic. If it was oil there would be smears all over the canvas. imo acrylic is perfect because it dries fast. Great video, thanks.
Your picture is super! I am so impressed with how you did the tiny spaces - the thinnest brush they sent me was not strong enough to lay the colors in properly, I felt, and I ended up using my own brushes, which, though not as thin, held paint longer and were real workhorses. But this is my first try, so maybe I’ll get better. I had lots of those half finished spaces, where I had to go back and figure what color it was supposed to have been! But my main complaint was that half the colors they sent me did NOT match the small pictures’ colors at all. And I really liked the little pictures colors, much richer and definitely totally different than what was in the little pots. So, i either had to mix some of the sent colors together, or go to my own acrylic paints, which were not premixed, and come up with the right color quickly before they dried up, a constant problem with acrylics... So the whole process took a bit longer than I expected, but I loved what I ended up with - my greens were a perfect mix and the yellow orange of the flowers was gorgeous, not at all like what the numbers in the spaces requested, a weak pale yellow! I guess it’s hit or miss. Thanks for your video, it’s the first I’ve watched for Helpful Hints!
I use paint brushes sold for miniature painting. They work a wonder and they come super tiny! Also I use a tiny bit of water in my paints (acrylics) to thin them out a little bit, just a drop or so. Also I never had a frame for mine so I just taped it on to a lack table top or a box so I can paint sitting on my couch or in my comfy chair.
I've done these years ago and I remember they provided a copy of the printed painting with numbers so you'd know what color belongs in what part of the painting. Cause it's hard to see the number obviously cause you painted it. Another trick would be to take a picture before you start and that could be your map. 🤗
I am currently in lockdown and one gets bored with reading, watching TV, crosswords etc, I did my first Paint By Numbers a couple of weeks ago and found it very satisfying Loved your video, very good hints, only other thing I would add, is the benefits of a magnifying glass. I think your painting worked out very well. My new kit arrived today and I’ll definitely be following your tips
Looks nice. Congrats, and thanks for the advice. I've been thinking of buying one of these kits. Maybe they have changed their advertising, or maybe they just have different advertising for the Czech sites that I've been looking at, but it seems a bit more honest these days. They actually state now that the paint is acrylic, not oil, and they describe the brushes as nylon.
I have a hard time , once youve colored the number and the line , sometimes it’s hard for me to see where I’m supposed to paint , it is hard to tell if I’ve done the outline or if I’m supposed to fill it in to the next line . You’d think it would be super easy but it’s a lot more challenging. I agree with all the challenges you mentioned ! Especially about the thickness. I struggle to get the right amount of water to paint on my brush , I want it to spread evenly and go far but not turn into a watercolor
It may be worth photographing the canvas (using a phone), before colouring, in case you need to figure out where the numbers are after they have been painted over.
Acrylic is better than oil anyway for projects like this. Clean up is a lot easier with water than having to mess about with white spirit etc. I’ve just finished one and you’re right, the brushes are just for one picture as I had to occasionally trim the point with scissors. I have another on order and am about to start one I received as a present yesterday. These are very addictive and I found myself immersed for hours which in these current times is a godsend. It’s ironic that the one on order is coming from China!
I see in the description you said it was acrylic. There are water soluble oils though also. Very cool that they have canvas paint by number. Back in the 60s I did paint by number on heavy cardboard with oils.
I had a paint by number kit too twice. My first One was a small rabbit one and i got it when i was much younger. I remember being too Scared to paint because i was afraid i would ruin it. The image was on cardboard too and had a nice brush. My Second One is a bigger swan One. I started painting and halfway through i just gave up. I kept going over the lines and getting paint on the wrong spot and onto the number of the wrong spot. It had a lot of very small Spots. I regret Not getting a smaller One with bigger Spots since the One i gave up had swans on Water on it with a lot of green plants and it was Beautiful. Im not Sure where it is Now but im Sure that if i found it Again that some of the paint might have dried up.
Omg I work as I painting contractor and I found this exact paint by numbers in a vacant apartment left by the previous tenant. I'm so excited to paint it now
To blend in the edges you would have to do it while both colors are still in a wet stage. But with a the paint by numbers numbers I find the areas are so small it is ok to slightly overlay the colors, as in general no one would be looking that close at a painting anyway. I have one above a doorframe and no one believes it is a paint by number.
Great review! some really helpful tips before i start my first ever PBN. I wish i had included a frame with my purchase now though. I'm thinking i should wait and get one before starting it.
I love doing these. They aren't very expensive so you get what you pay for. If you order through Amazon the sellers are fantastic about replacing dried out paints.
I have over a hundred PBN'S and they are water based acrylic, also you can use water to thin the paints but if you go to craft / hobby store there is a product I think it's called Even flow this really helps also get yourself some brushes and I constantly clean my brushes this helps the brushes last longer and keeps a good point on the bristles
Most paint by number kits use acrylic paint and be sure to do your kit soon because those paints dry up quickly if they sit around for awhile even though they are in plastic cups. Use the paints sparingly. They don't give a whole lot extra in kits. Buy a few better brushes, it might be worth while.
Yes I would have said it was acrylic and yes the Black was empty by the end too 😉 that was the only tub I didn’t put a bit of water in if I had I would have had plenty
I’ve just bought one and won’t start it till my new glasses arrive. This is such a helpful video... even putting the canvas on the frame first is a much better idea. I’d just taped mine onto cardboard. And the watering down the paints! So glad I saw this before I started. The comments are great too. I subscribed. Thanks everyone.
You are amazing!! Video, painting, presentation, all of it I'm very impressed!! I'm in the middle of a painting now and I have experience with painting but still obviously needing some tips.. you covered everything perfectly, wish I would have watched this before I started mine!! EXPRESSIVE 😁
That was really cool looking. You did a great job too. It's been forever since I've tried a paint by numbers. I have recently bought a color by number coloring book. It's hard for me to see the numbers so I use a magnifying glass. It turns out pretty good but for me I still need to work on it to make it more seamless... Lol I enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing.
I got a couple from craftoria and they are so much harder than I thought they would be 😂😂😂😂 I got 2 for Christmas and I have barely started one so far . I ordered 6 more that are on their way
Unfortunately the Ipicasso site is no longer shipping to the UK. Pre-framed satin finish canvas with perfectly mixed water-based acrylic paints, printed with paler grey numbers that any other manufacturer. Sadly I only got to paint one canvas before they stopped shipping. I'm still searching for a product as good. Your picture is gorgeous though, I'll see if I can find it 😊😊
EXCELLENT review!! And fantastic tips! Thank you so much for posting this. And what a fantastic finished painting. WOW! You are an inspiration. I am definitely going to give this a go. And i will be keeping this video on hand to go over the tips again. Subscribing now!
They claim oil, but most of those Chinese paint by numbers kits actually come with acrylic paints, not oil.
I ordered this exact kit a few minutes (maybe should have looked at the reviews first, but I like to live on the edge). The site I ordered from indicated that it was acrylic.
Who claims that? Do you have a chemical analysis of all Chinese pbn kits paints?
Mike L - You can honestly tell it's acrylic just watching this video. It's clearly drying way too fast to be oil. Acrylic dries within minutes; if you've worked with oil you know that even one layer can take more than a day to dry.
Several years ago when i first started doing pbn's i bought a oil based paint kit and never finished it because of the drying time plus the smelly turpentine thinner that was recomened now that i have completed close to a hundred kits all but one have been acrylic
but wouldn't you be able to know right away ? by the fact that it dries within 5 minutes and not 2 weeks ?
Your canvas turned out gorgeous and the result doesn't look like a paint-by-number kit. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you the results are awesome!!
@@BesCanvas @colourwithfaithgirl Hi, can I ask how did you record this video. Would love to also do a time lapse video like this. Is you phone or camera attached to your head. Many thanks
@@MattyGintheMix1996 they most likely used a tripod very easy to film videos like this with one
@@BesCanvas hi do you still have to dip your brush in water each time to wipe the paint off to start a new colors
These kits sadly are not good for anyone that’s visually impaired the outline and numbers are so thin can’t see them
I'd treat it like a normal brush, have a cup of water and paper towels and simply clean the brush for whenever you are changing colour and use water to keep the paint watery(ish) in order to be able to paint with ease
I'd just throw the brushes out and use some better brushes... same can be said of the paint to be honest.... oh yeah... I'd just throw the whole thing out and not do it!
pesto12601 I like paint by numbers😔 they helped a lot with conquering my sever anxiety to use paint in art.
I have been using paint by number kits since I was a kid. My advice is to go to the nearest hobby store and purchase small detailed brushes you will be happy you did. As most brushes coming in PBN kits are too big. My best advice is to start with the darkest color in the kit.....take your time and if you make a mistake just wait for the paint to dry before fixing it. These are relaxing and fairly easy to do don't be overwhelmed by small spaces, take your time just enjoy your progress and have fun.
Funny, I found the brushes too small but either way, it's worth getting some better brushes as the ones supplied aren't great
Why would you start with the darkest? You start with the lightest and go out the lines you'll be able to correct it with the darker color a bit later.
That's the 1st thing I did after my 1st night doing this hobby. Just common sense lol
@@cjp2274 u can do it however u want
Thanks, I am new to this, I will get my detailed brush set
We have the same paint by number kit and I actually got more colors than you I hope mine turns out like this too tho
I also got a separte print of the canvas on paper to see the numbers more clearly
I probably have the same one as your do, the colours are brighter and the picture numbering is more intricate...the size of the canvas is larger too.
Shanell Contreras How’d it go? :D
There are two possibilities of coloring for this picture. One of it is brighter and ads more of yellow and orange tones and the other is like in the video. You can even see it with other pictures and I think that maybe it has to do with the different sellers. 🙆♀️
Did it?
It seems simple and sensible, to me, to take a few pictures of the canvas on one's phone, before it's painted, as a reference. That way, there's no confusion, halfway through the project, about which paints go in a certain section.
You shouldn't have to though
In the typical drawing by numbers that you can buy in germany they even supply a extra sheet of paper on which they print the numbers and outlines a second time. I think it's pretty interesting to see the differences as it's basically the sane product by different companies in different countries
All of the ones I've bought have come with the paper with the numbers reprinted for reference
Rose Mullen d
Great idea!
I tried one of these during quarantine and I was shocked at how long it took me. I think the one I did took me about 25 hours in total, but I usually spend 2-3 hours on a regular not paint-by-numbers painting. I did find that the paint-by-numbers felt more relaxing than regular painting because I wasn't thinking about how the painting would look for the end result or what my next step would be etc., so I could just zone out and paint and still get something cute at the end of it.
I’ve done a few of these too and I think a few others may have pointed out that it’s actually an a acrylic paint, not oil like they list. At least it behaves like acrylic. Just a heads up. So yeah, it’s soluble in water and won’t mix with oil-intended products. Also, I can’t believe you got through a whole one us8ng their cheap-o brushes. I always end up using my due to the horrible quality of theirs.
Chelsea Hertzog I don’t know if you remember but if you do, how long did the delivery take to arrive at your house?
The one I got from Amazon was acrylic
Old Japanese saying
"A master calligrapher will not complain about the quality of the brush"
I've done about 20 of these. What I've found helpful is to take a little paint from the container, and put it in the container's top with a toothpick. Then add tiny drips of water with the brush until you have it the right consistency. Remember to cover the container with something else so it won't dry out. These paints dry out really quickly when exposed to air.
I always have a bowl of water near so I can clean the brush frequently as you paint. The brushes aren’t good but you can work with them. I keep my brush damp with water so the paint flows better. Keep the lids closed after use or they will dry out. Some paintings are really detailed so I usually work in sections so I don’t drive myself crazy. Change of colour keeps your interest up. Color fatigue can be averted by this tactic 😘 Enjoy and smile. Teaches you patience and persistence as a spiritual bonus.
A few helpful things from a painter:
*Many of the pictures shown on the website are very pretty, but the actual paint-by-numbers version of them will not be the same. The PBN version will have a more "impressionist" look because there is no blending.
*Water soluble oils are a real thing, but they are expensive and a speciality paint; they wouldn't be in a kit like this.
*The paint in all these kits is acrylic.
*You can use an acrylic retarder if you want to slow the drying time of acrylic paint so you can blend. This will help on paintings that originally look very detailed. I wouldn't recommend this for beginners though unless you're willing to experiment/potentially mess up your painting.
I hope this helps.
I hope this helps.
So, do you have any suggestions for a paint by Numbers or similar for beginners? Where to buy for example?
Some PBN versions come with dotted lines wich mean that you have to blend two sections of colors
God loves you:)
There is NO WAY these paints are oil. They’re probably heavy body acrylic.
Your intro sort of reminds of a game from girlsgogames
Someone gave me my first paint by number. I loved loved loved it. I couldn't wait to find time to start another one. It was the most relaxing art I have ever I ever completed. I wish I could remember name brand, the type of canvas, and how I made the paint look nice. I excitedly purchased a paint by number with similar expectations, I was very disappointed. It was awful. I am so glad I had the positive experience though. I will try again at some point. The first was something like 10x12 and it was a hard material. I know that doesn't say much but when I find another paint by number I will make sure it has those characteristics- beginners beware!! :)
Me too i am addicted. Dimensions is a good company
Try Schipper. It's a german brand. You don't really Paint on a canvas but on more of a thick cardboard but they're very well made
My mum used to photocopy the canvas so she could go back and check what the colour number was in any area.. Helped alot sometimes she would colour swatch the paints, putting the number next to the swatch, which helped to if she had a mistake or colours which were closely alike. There are lots of ways to help yourself. I always had spare brushes and mum would borrow some. Once she got into doing these I bought her a decent set of brushes, and after matching up the brush numbers, she used these. Washing them out throughly after meant she could use them over and over.
Thank so much for this video. I purchased two one with a frame one without. I was so confused about pretty much everything you addressed in this video so I put it aside and I haven't looked at it since. With this information maybe I will give it a go again. Thanks
That is seriously one of the most beautiful paintings i have ever seen. That you for the wonderful video!
You haven't seen many paintings then.
@@anonumosGirl Monet had nothing on this masterpiece :)
thanks for taking the time to do this video, I started my first one last night which was a total disaster but now I know it's due to crappy brushes and the paint being too thick. Your painting looks great!
Even with all those issues the kit had, you still made it look amazing!! Thank you so much for the review! 💙 Paige
Yes it did finish up amazing also I’ve purchased kits elsewhere they are all very much the same! Just thought you guys would benefit knowing what could happen 😉😊
While water soluble oils are a thing, I believe that’s just acrylic paint.
usually, at least that I've seen in stores, the paint by number kits are acrylic paints
Wow you did a great job with the cheap brushes that come with the kits. Gorgeous picture choice! Flow Aid is awesome to thin the paints. Alone or diluted.
Face moisturizing wipes help to prolong brushes.
White Sharpie marker works to cover the numbers so you do not have to paint and repaint. Also if you gesso the canvas before you start with clear, not white, it helps the paints cover better.
Thank you for the video.
White permanent marker!? What? THAT is genius. I did massive googling for covering the numbers and got soooo many differing answers, and ended up with a tube of Titanium White, but that's an absolute pain in the rear to have to manage (I'm not an artist-type of person with all the patience in the world. Edit: I totally admire anyone who has that patience!). A white marker sounds just up my street. And now I'm off to check out what gesso is. Thank you so much!
🙏Belinda. It looked great when you finished this canvas.👍👏 While the base is not the same decades ago I used to paint tshirts with thick oil paints to sell so I have a little experience with thick paints and brushes. If ppl intend to do more than one or two of these colour by numbers I’d strongly suggest they buy better quality brushes. At least you won’t get bristles falling out and brushes breaking.
I’m talking about 35 years ago😱and those brushes are as good now as they were back then and sometimes albeit rarely I use them for my watercolouring.
They have a harder bristle than we use normally for painting and hold the thick oil paint better and spread it easier as well. Possibly with your advice and finding it easier to use ppl may like doing these colour by numbers more often and hanging them on their walls as yours looks terrific 🤗🌹
One of mine came with a paper copy of the canvas, like a reference map. There were instructions down the side of it that explained about cleaning the brushes often, and how the paints were thick etc. Thanks for doing this video though. I wanted to see how well it actually turns out. Yours looks great!
Thats awesome enjoy
A thousand thank you s for your truly informative video. The world of paint by number has changed a lot since my youth.May God reward you abundantly!
That's truly beautiful. We just ordered 3 for a birthday party for my daughter during COVID. I appreciate your tips!
I’ve heard of water soluble oil paints, they are supposedly not much different than acrylics and don’t perform like true oil paints but have a great place all their own. This painting confirms that they can give gorgeous results as well!! I’m gonna go ahead and order myself one!! I’m sick of the cheap store ones that are on cardboard!!
Some canvasses come with a sheet with a copy of the canvas (unpainted). That’s great to refer to your colour numbers when touching up some areas. If you don’t receive a sheet with your canvas, take photos of the blank canvas before starting so you can refer back to the photos when touching up the paint.
Thanks for your review, I have seen these advertised, but was unsure as to how they would really turn out. I loved paint by numbers when I was younger, I will probably have to buy one now.
Lol I was a bit the same but as you can see looks great ☺️would loved to see your finished one 😍
I have done several of these paintings. They are lots of fun to do! The first one I painted had no directions, but it wasn’t difficult to figure out what to do since I have been painting for many years. One of the more recent pictures I got actually came with a whole sheet of directions! Also, I bought better brushes to use and I thinned out my paint with water too. There was plenty of paint.
Thank you for sharing your experiences!
Susan R Smith does this help you become more experienced with painting?
Its acrylic and there’s several kinds of acrylic thinner but water is the easiest and cheapest way to thin acrylic. Also if it doesn’t come with a tiny color numbered version just take a good photo of the canvas before painting and then you never will forget which colors you used where. 🥰
Thanks! I just got mine from the mail and was completely dumbfounded on how to start. Your video answered all my queries.
Awesome Enjoy!
I actually went out a bought some brushes to do these. It’s hard to do the more detailed sections with the brushes they provide sometimes, and the brushes I bought were pretty good quality so they lasted several paintings!
I'm visiting you from 2023, just to let you know I found this super helpful. I started doing these last year (my son was stumped about what to buy me for my b-day and went for one of these) and I got hooked quickly. All I really had to go on, since I'm not an art person normally, was feelings and intuition. So, you telling me I can and should water them down? SWEET! And starting with dark colours first? I feel validated. But I do grump at some of the paints not covering the numbers, no matter how many layers I put on. Many googles later, I found out that's to do with how much pigment (?) is in the paint. But! I'm happy! My son is happy-ish, because now he has to keep buying me new ones to do.
I have noticed most of the paint by number kits state oil based but are actually acrylic paints. It normally states in the list of items included that it is indeed acrylic paint. It looks wonderful, well done 👍
There is an artist currently on display at the Tacoma, WA art museum whose art works are huge... and all actually resemble huge paint by number art works - he was very much influenced by pbn works in his childhood... ( To the previous comments... acrylics can also resemble oil paints... but the scent of oil paint( usually) can be overt... noticeable )... nice demo video!
Just as a general sort of tip regarding assembling the stretcher frame (which can be a bit tight-fitting): take the four frame pieces and using a candle (that is big enough to handle, ie bigger than a birthday cake candle), RUB the candle on the front and back of the stretcher piece TABS (the skinny parts that are meant to go into mating slots in the adjacent pieces). Since these joints will be stapled and NOT glued, it is fine to rub a little wax onto them. They will then assemble MUCH easier.
I love paint by number. Its relaxing and I enjoy doing it. Most of the ones I have done were from Plaid.
I was thinking to buy a kit like this for making myself calmer but I stumbled on your video and found your voice very relaxing. Subscribed. :)
My favorite brand of paint-by-numbers is Plaid. In my opinion, Plaid kits are well made, and there is no blending required. However, I buy my own higher-quality brushes individually. Paint-by-numbers have been a life long source of serenity for me. I prefer oil over acrylic, but oil kits are harder to find these days.
Great tips. A paint by number kit I did was from a photograph of our dog that my wife sent to a company that will make a paint by number print plus a smaller print as a guide ,so if you do touch up you find the right color. This kit didn't come with instructions either ! I did clean my brushes but didn't know about using a water to thin the paint a little .It was acrylic water color as well. One thing you could do is take your smart phone and a picture of the print before you start. Put it on your computer as an image file and print it out with your printer if you have one .
What good informative. I’ve just started my first paint by number and was having issues with the very small sections and the paint being so thick. Thanks for this video.
Glad it was helpful!
a big help is actually to take a photo of it before painting, so if you do have to go back over something you can refer to the photo to see what number paint it is :) great vid
Thank you for the tips. You actually saved my work. Some of my paints are already dry and I tried to use paint thinner. When it didn' work, I thought it was over. But the all I have to use is water 😅
Haven’t done a “by numbers” project since childhood. Fun to watch n can understand the attraction. Thank you.
I know right was great to do 😄
I just bought my wife one of these because she wanted to start a new hobby. This video will be super helpful!
Thank you! I’ve purchased paint kits in the past and struggled to finish them. Just purchased some yesterday, and I’m struggling again with the bad brushes and thick paint 😅 thanks for the water tip
Let me share with you my experience as I started my project. I found out that it's better to start painting the itty-bitty spaces first or else they might get painted over by accident. I also found out I didn't have the patience with this art. I had rather work with diamond paintings anytime... lol. I actually finished one diamond painting a year ago and it was extremely satisfactory.
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I have managed to buy quite a difficult one for my first go and I was hoping there would be some sort of tips and tricks sheet that came with it. I was wondering if there was a best way to do it, like by number, by dark to light, light to dark etc. so this video has defs helped me out 👍🏻
That's good advice to do the black first. I'm fixin to start my second p by n. The first one I did was from Herrshnerr's, and it was printed on a piece of dense cardboard, and it costed $30 ! That was several years ago. I'm glad Temu has em at the cheap prices.
Water based oils are recommended for beginners by some art teachers who want to paint from scratch before moving on to oils using white spirit /turps . Acrylics dry fast and have to go wet on wet to blend.
Paint number kits are mainly acrylic. Gouache Paints are a good alternative to acrylics, they are water based and give better coverage.
I recommend Masterpiece by Numbers. They give clear instructions, good quality canvas, plenty of paint, an extra sheet to refer to and the brushes don't shed. I'm on my third picture now, really enjoy the painting and always have music in the background. 😀🎶
I bought one and my experience was amazing. I dont have a lot of experience with painting so I dont have anything to compare it to and my painting came out great
It looks great 👍🏽!! Thanks for the tips! I’m getting ready to do a paint by numbers this week because I’m bored out of my mind with no work and Covid-19 craziness! I love to paint 🎨!!
Have fun!
I do these all the time and I just put a drop of water on the numbers that show through the really light colors and lightly scrape it with a knife and I can actually scrape the number off so that way there’s no number underneath it
I suspect it to be acrylic paint. They are water soluble and dry quick.
Oooooo that was very smart
Illien Galene they are also technically a oil paint
@@Alucard-gt1zf yes indeed there are a number of oil based acrylic paints, I came across them over 40 years ago. It was like spreading gum.
That's really cool. I'm about to start my first paint by numbers project. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks to this video, I was able to finish a really nice looking PBN. Instead of using their trashy brush and paint, I got paint that is way better. Turned out pretty well and vibrant (I got one that has forest and mountains so I wanted it to look vibrant). Definitely puts a glow in my living room.
Wow, these paint by number things seem very relaxing, and the video seems very informative. I hope I can find a nice picture to buy and color.
Great advise, gorgeous finished product. Looks tempting to try
Thank you for this video! I ordered my first paint by numbers kit today since I've been wanting to try one for a long time now. I'll definitely take your tips to heart, thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
I keep a jar of water and rinse brushes as I go and also blot the brushes dry on a cloth. All the other advice is useful cause I've experienced these issues too. Great job by the way. I'm addicted to them having just finished my 4th and can say I get what u pay 4. The more expensive ones have better quality canvas however I've had to ask for more paint tubs on them.. for some reason lacked enough of the main colours! They sent them without fuss
I’m doing my second pbn kit, a ’masterpiece by numbers’ painting. Paint is acrylic. If it was oil there would be smears all over the canvas. imo acrylic is perfect because it dries fast. Great video, thanks.
Your picture is super! I am so impressed with how you did the tiny spaces - the thinnest brush they sent me was not strong enough to lay the colors in properly, I felt, and I ended up using my own brushes, which, though not as thin, held paint longer and were real workhorses. But this is my first try, so maybe I’ll get better. I had lots of those half finished spaces, where I had to go back and figure what color it was supposed to have been! But my main complaint was that half the colors they sent me did NOT match the small pictures’ colors at all. And I really liked the little pictures colors, much richer and definitely totally different than what was in the little pots. So, i either had to mix some of the sent colors together, or go to my own acrylic paints, which were not premixed, and come up with the right color quickly before they dried up, a constant problem with acrylics... So the whole process took a bit longer than I expected, but I loved what I ended up with - my greens were a perfect mix and the yellow orange of the flowers was gorgeous, not at all like what the numbers in the spaces requested, a weak pale yellow! I guess it’s hit or miss. Thanks for your video, it’s the first I’ve watched for Helpful Hints!
I’ve just bought my first kit and have made a note of your tips! Thank you very much, your painting is lovely by the way 👏👏😘
Thank you for showing us painting till finished....well done on that as the picture shown, Brilliant!!
I use paint brushes sold for miniature painting. They work a wonder and they come super tiny!
Also I use a tiny bit of water in my paints (acrylics) to thin them out a little bit, just a drop or so.
Also I never had a frame for mine so I just taped it on to a lack table top or a box so I can paint sitting on my couch or in my comfy chair.
I've done these years ago and I remember they provided a copy of the printed painting with numbers so you'd know what color belongs in what part of the painting.
Cause it's hard to see the number obviously cause you painted it.
Another trick would be to take a picture before you start and that could be your map.
🤗
I really like how your painting turned out, very pretty, the reflections on the water, the lights at either dusk or dawn. Very nice
Thank you! Cheers!
Thank you so much for showing this and talking about it! I have never done one and I'm in the market to try it.
I am currently in lockdown and one gets bored with reading, watching TV, crosswords etc, I did my first Paint By Numbers a couple of weeks ago and found it very satisfying Loved your video, very good hints, only other thing I would add, is the benefits of a magnifying glass. I think your painting worked out very well. My new kit arrived today and I’ll definitely be following your tips
I ordered one for my mom... like 5 weeks ago! Hope to get soon🙂 I assumed they were acrylic paints by the look and packaging and easier to use
Looks nice. Congrats, and thanks for the advice. I've been thinking of buying one of these kits.
Maybe they have changed their advertising, or maybe they just have different advertising for the Czech sites that I've been looking at, but it seems a bit more honest these days. They actually state now that the paint is acrylic, not oil, and they describe the brushes as nylon.
I have a hard time , once youve colored the number and the line , sometimes it’s hard for me to see where I’m supposed to paint , it is hard to tell if I’ve done the outline or if I’m supposed to fill it in to the next line . You’d think it would be super easy but it’s a lot more challenging. I agree with all the challenges you mentioned ! Especially about the thickness. I struggle to get the right amount of water to paint on my brush , I want it to spread evenly and go far but not turn into a watercolor
It may be worth photographing the canvas (using a phone), before colouring, in case you need to figure out where the numbers are after they have been painted over.
Acrylic is better than oil anyway for projects like this. Clean up is a lot easier with water than having to mess about with white spirit etc. I’ve just finished one and you’re right, the brushes are just for one picture as I had to occasionally trim the point with scissors. I have another on order and am about to start one I received as a present yesterday. These are very addictive and I found myself immersed for hours which in these current times is a godsend. It’s ironic that the one on order is coming from China!
I would recommend using brushes made for painting miniatures(like table top gaming pieces). They're really fine and works like a charm.
Yes I use nail art brushes
Detail brushes. Or striping brushes.
I didn’t hear a single thing you were saying because my sisters were screaming their heads off in the background but this was very satisfying to watch
I see in the description you said it was acrylic. There are water soluble oils though also. Very cool that they have canvas paint by number. Back in the 60s I did paint by number on heavy cardboard with oils.
I had a paint by number kit too twice. My first One was a small rabbit one and i got it when i was much younger. I remember being too Scared to paint because i was afraid i would ruin it. The image was on cardboard too and had a nice brush. My Second One is a bigger swan One. I started painting and halfway through i just gave up. I kept going over the lines and getting paint on the wrong spot and onto the number of the wrong spot. It had a lot of very small Spots. I regret Not getting a smaller One with bigger Spots since the One i gave up had swans on Water on it with a lot of green plants and it was Beautiful. Im not Sure where it is Now but im Sure that if i found it Again that some of the paint might have dried up.
Omg I work as I painting contractor and I found this exact paint by numbers in a vacant apartment left by the previous tenant. I'm so excited to paint it now
Haha 😂 one mans trash another mans treasure ENJOY!! 😉
I think I’ll take a photo of the canvas before painting so that you have the numbers after painting over them
Did you blend the edges? I feel like your colours blend into each other
No I didn't blend them, but for my next one I am and its taking much longer...
@@BesCanvas How do you blend the edges?
How do we blend the edges?
To blend in the edges you would have to do it while both colors are still in a wet stage. But with a the paint by numbers numbers I find the areas are so small it is ok to slightly overlay the colors, as in general no one would be looking that close at a painting anyway. I have one above a doorframe and no one believes it is a paint by number.
Great review! some really helpful tips before i start my first ever PBN. I wish i had included a frame with my purchase now though. I'm thinking i should wait and get one before starting it.
I just started another and I stapled it to a board it’s working fine like this too
Quite helpful. There have been times when I would like to have been able to order extra paint that matched color in the original kit.
Just started my first pbn. Great video. Thanks for doing this.
I've never seen a pbn on a frame and canvas before. The ones I have always got come on a really thick sturdy piece of cardboard
I love doing these. They aren't very expensive so you get what you pay for. If you order through Amazon the sellers are fantastic about replacing dried out paints.
I have over a hundred PBN'S and they are water based acrylic, also you can use water to thin the paints but if you go to craft / hobby store there is a product I think it's called Even flow this really helps also get yourself some brushes and I constantly clean my brushes this helps the brushes last longer and keeps a good point on the bristles
Most paint by number kits use acrylic paint and be sure to do your kit soon because those paints dry up quickly if they sit around for awhile even though they are in plastic cups. Use the paints sparingly. They don't give a whole lot extra in kits. Buy a few better brushes, it might be worth while.
Yes I would have said it was acrylic and yes the Black was empty by the end too 😉 that was the only tub I didn’t put a bit of water in if I had I would have had plenty
Thank you for this video. I’m about to start my very first one and your tips are veryyyy useful!!
Now you've inspired me to try a paint by numbers, have never done one. Subscribed. Really liked your work.
I’ve just started a one and I’m so afraid I won’t stay in the lines
I’ve just bought one and won’t start it till my new glasses arrive. This is such a helpful video... even putting the canvas on the frame first is a much better idea. I’d just taped mine onto cardboard. And the watering down the paints! So glad I saw this before I started. The comments are great too. I subscribed. Thanks everyone.
You are amazing!! Video, painting, presentation, all of it I'm very impressed!! I'm in the middle of a painting now and I have experience with painting but still obviously needing some tips.. you covered everything perfectly, wish I would have watched this before I started mine!!
EXPRESSIVE 😁
That was really cool looking. You did a great job too. It's been forever since I've tried a paint by numbers. I have recently bought a color by number coloring book. It's hard for me to see the numbers so I use a magnifying glass. It turns out pretty good but for me I still need to work on it to make it more seamless... Lol I enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you
I starting my first PBN painting. Thanks for the tips!
My childhood (1970's)pbn kits definitely had oil paints. They took time to dry. I still have a blob of it on an ancient dresser.
I got a couple from craftoria and they are so much harder than I thought they would be 😂😂😂😂 I got 2 for Christmas and I have barely started one so far . I ordered 6 more that are on their way
Unfortunately the Ipicasso site is no longer shipping to the UK. Pre-framed satin finish canvas with perfectly mixed water-based acrylic paints, printed with paler grey numbers that any other manufacturer. Sadly I only got to paint one canvas before they stopped shipping. I'm still searching for a product as good.
Your picture is gorgeous though, I'll see if I can find it 😊😊
EXCELLENT review!! And fantastic tips! Thank you so much for posting this. And what a fantastic finished painting. WOW! You are an inspiration. I am definitely going to give this a go. And i will be keeping this video on hand to go over the tips again. Subscribing now!
Awe thanks so much hope you enjoy 😊