New to paint by numbers and not sure where to start? This guide walks you through exactly how it works, how to paint your first kit step by step, and the small beginner mistakes that are easy to avoid once someone points them out. No experience needed.
What is paint by numbers?
Paint by numbers is a pre-printed canvas divided into small outlined sections, each marked with a number. Every number matches a pot of pre-mixed acrylic paint. You fill each section with its matching colour, and as you go the separate patches blend into a finished painting. No drawing or colour-mixing skill is needed.
It is one of the most forgiving ways into painting, which is exactly why it has stayed popular since it first took off in the 1950s. The canvas does the hard part (the composition and the drawing) so you get to enjoy the calming, satisfying part: laying down colour and watching an image appear.
What comes in a paint by numbers kit?
A standard kit gives you everything you need to start straight away. There is nothing extra to buy. A typical Paint A Moment kit includes:
- A pre-printed canvas with numbered outline sections
- A set of numbered, pre-mixed acrylic paint pots
- Two or three brushes, usually a fine, medium and broad tip
- A printed reference image and colour key
- Hanging hardware or a frame, depending on the option you choose
That is the whole appeal: you open the box and you can paint. If you want to see what a real set looks like, every kit in our best sellers collection comes with the full set above.
How to paint by numbers, step by step
The short version: work top to bottom, do all of one colour at a time, and let each section dry before painting next to it. Here is the full process for your first kit.
- Set up a calm, well-lit space. Daylight or a bright lamp makes the small numbers far easier to read. Lay down some newspaper and keep a jar of water and a cloth nearby.
- Lay the canvas flat and check it. If it has been rolled, it may have gentle creases. Lay it under a few heavy books for an hour first, or tension it onto the frame if your kit includes one.
- Match your paints to the key. Line the pots up in number order so you are not hunting for them mid-flow.
- Start at the top, and with the darkest colours. Painting top to bottom keeps your hand off wet paint. Doing dark colours first makes any small overlaps easy to cover later.
- Paint all of one number before moving on. Find every section marked "1", paint them all, rinse the brush, then move to "2". This is faster and keeps colours clean.
- Use thin coats. Two thin coats cover the printed numbers far better than one thick, streaky one. Let the first dry, then go again if a number still shows through.
- Switch brush sizes to match the section. Fine brush for the tiny gaps, broader brush for open areas like skies and backgrounds.
- Finish, dry, and tidy the edges. Once dry, touch up any thin spots and clean up the lines between colours. Then step back and enjoy it.
How long does a paint by numbers take?
Most beginners finish a standard kit over a few relaxed sittings rather than in one go, and that is the point. As a rough guide, expect the following based on canvas size and difficulty.
| Canvas size | Difficulty | Typical time to complete |
|---|---|---|
| 20 x 30 cm (small) | Beginner | 4 to 8 hours |
| 30 x 40 cm (standard) | Beginner to intermediate | 8 to 15 hours |
| 40 x 50 cm (large) | Intermediate | 15 to 25 hours |
| 50 x 60 cm and up | Advanced | 25 hours or more |
There is no rush. Many people treat a kit as a wind-down ritual, half an hour an evening, and that is often when it does the most good.
Beginner mistakes worth avoiding (from thousands of kits)
Since our early days creating custom kits for customers on Etsy, we have packed and shipped thousands of paintings and heard back from just as many first-time painters. The same few stumbling points come up again and again, and all of them are easy to sidestep:
- Loading too much paint on the brush. It pools, dries unevenly, and hides detail. Less paint, more coats.
- Skipping drying time between neighbouring sections. Wet edges smudge into each other. Give it a few minutes.
- Leaving paint pots open. Acrylic dries fast. Close each pot the moment you finish with it so it is still usable next time. (If one does dry out, a drop of water and a stir often revives it.)
- Painting under warm, dim light. It makes similar numbers hard to tell apart. Good light prevents most "wrong colour" mistakes.
- Choosing a kit that is too detailed for a first try. A complex portrait can feel like a slog. Start a little easier and build up.
Which paint by numbers kit should a beginner choose?
For your first kit, pick a beginner-level design with larger sections and a subject you genuinely like looking at, because you will be spending happy hours with it. Bold, simple compositions are far more enjoyable to start with than fiddly, high-detail scenes.
If you are not sure, our easy paint by number kits are designed specifically for first-timers, with larger numbered areas and clear colours. Drawn to a particular subject? Browse our animals and landscapes collections. And if you want to paint something personal, like a pet, a place, or a moment that matters to you, you can turn your own photo into a kit with a custom paint by numbers kit.
What do you do with it when it is finished?
Once your painting is dry, you can seal it with a thin coat of acrylic varnish to protect the colours, then frame it or hang it straight from the canvas. A finished kit is not just a craft project: it is something you made, and a lovely thing to keep or give. That is the whole idea behind Paint A Moment, turning quiet hours into something you get to keep.
Frequently asked questions
Is paint by numbers good for complete beginners?
Yes. Paint by numbers is one of the best entry points to painting because the canvas handles the drawing and the colours are pre-mixed. You only need to fill in numbered sections, so no prior art experience is required at all.
What kind of paint do paint by numbers kits use?
Almost all modern kits, including ours, use acrylic paint. Acrylics are water-based, quick-drying, low-odour, and clean up with water, which makes them ideal for beginners and safe to use at the kitchen table.
Do I need to seal my finished paint by numbers?
Sealing is optional but recommended. A thin coat of acrylic varnish protects the surface from dust and fading and gives an even finish. You can choose a matte varnish for a soft look or gloss for richer, brighter colours.
Can I do paint by numbers from my own photo?
Yes. A custom kit converts your own photograph into a numbered canvas with matching paints, so you can paint a pet, a person, a place, or any moment that means something to you. It is our most personal and most gifted product.
What if I paint outside the lines or make a mistake?
It is easily fixed. Let the area dry, then paint over the mistake with the correct colour. Acrylic is opaque enough to cover small errors completely, which is part of why paint by numbers is so forgiving.
Ready to start your first painting? Browse our beginner-friendly kits and pick a moment to paint.
Written by Marcus, founder of Paint A Moment. Paint A Moment grew out of MegaPaws, our previous Etsy brand, where we created thousands of custom pet paintings for customers. We believe a finished kit should be a keepsake, not just a craft.
