The Paint by Numbers is quite popular among people of all ages, where it serves as a good start for beginners and a stress-relieving activity. It provides equal opportunity to both creative and non-creative people to play with colors and indulge in artistic activities. The approach is quite simple and organized that anyone can follow and enjoy. The best part about this technique is that its kits are easily available in the market and at affordable prices. Besides, extensive guidelines are also easily available. If you want to explore your options, you can check it out here!
Here is all that you need to learn about how to follow the Paint by Numbers technique!
Understanding Paint by Numbers Technique
Your Paint by Numbers kit will come with a picture that is labeled with numbers and a reference chart that’ll have a color shade against each number. What you’re required to do is paint each numbered section on the painting with the color of paint that is corresponding to that particular number. You don’t have to worry about having to think through colors. It’s easy, simple, straightforward, and pure joy to complete a Paint by Numbers painting.
What Should Beginners Know
Learning the Paint by Numbers technique might be a time-taking process. The approach is basically meant to teach people how to paint by giving them a clear and precise guideline.
The Paint by Numbers kits contain everything that is needed to get the given project painted but individuals need to invest time to polish their skills in this area and must pour in their creativity in the projects so their skills keep growing with every project.
There are some simple yet effective tips that would serve as an easy guideline and would give you the confidence to grow from a beginner to a creative artist!
Preparation is Must
Whatever paint by numbers project you are working on, avoid jumping into that without any thought, instead prepare your thought process that how the initial picture can be converted into the final picture. You must figure out the shades that need to be painted in the specified areas, the brushes, and the equipment that is needed to finish the project. You must spend a little time laying all the things out before starting up as spending a little time gives you more satisfaction with the final form.
Paint in Descending Order
The most common challenge that artists face with the Paint by numbers technique is to figure out where to start painting from? Different artists adopt different approaches to it. The easiest approach is to paint in descending order. Stating up with painting larger areas first lets you get to hold and grip of the painting system and depict the gradual build-up of painting as you proceed with the painting. It is therefore recommended to go over the smaller areas after getting done with the larger areas so that the individual can figure out what would be the final turn out of the picture!
Paint the Darker Shades First
If you are confused about where you must begin then you can organize your painting process by following a simple approach of painting the darker colors first. Not only this approach makes the work easier but it also facilitates the individual in figuring out the correspondence of light and dark colors and their respective effect. The approach is equally used by both professional artists as well as beginners, owing to its impressive results.
Avoid Smudge
The more simple it sounds to try and avoid smudges and marks on the painting, the more difficult it is practical to ensure this. Avoiding smudges and marks on paintings is a real pain for artists. The ideal approach to achieve this is to begin the paint from the top and then come towards the bottom so that the chances of smudging the paint over the canvas with the hands are reduced. This approach though disturbs the natural flow of the painting but by the end, the final form turns out to be neater and the contended part would be the fact that at least you did not ruin it with your hands.
Cover the Numbers
Even though you are not a professional artist and are not intending to exhibit your painting but still numbers visible over your painting do not look nice at all! In order to ensure that the numbers are hidden properly, a second but even coat of paint should be applied. The first coat must be left to get dried before the application of the second coat or otherwise second coat should be applied after a few minutes. This approach gives a professional finish to the picture.
Maintain your Supplies
You might have observed professional artists taking care of their supplies. Well, that’s important, and when you are beginning with Painting, you must start learning this from the initial stage as it goes a long way. Take care of everything that you are using and have used so that it can be used again. Brushes must be maintained by wiping and setting them clean and the lids of paint pots must be put back to prevent them from drying out. These small details help you to maintain the professional set of brushes that produces even better paintings.
A Little Experimentation Enhances Learning
The Paint by Numbers kits bears certain instructions and guidelines to produce the art piece. These guidelines are certainly helpful when followed but are not mandatory to follow. An individual can always deviate from these guidelines and can experiment with colors, try different brushes and techniques to paint. These things boost learning. Experimentation helps the individual to figure what he learned on his own and what difference he has made. The final form gives a feeling of self-confidence to the individual.
Less is More
The very important information you must know is the quantity of paint you must put over the brush. It seems tempting to dip the brush into the paint pot and keep spreading the brush but this approach is not practical. The Paintbrush just needs a very little amount of paint for better strokes so the dip must be limited to the tip and figure out its coverage.
Make it Pop!
Even after finishing the art piece, you will feel that something is missing from the picture. It’s the frame! You must frame your canvas so that the painting pops up and looks professional.
The paint by Numbers technique is an easy but step-by-step process. Beginners must follow the process and pay attention to the little details to grasp a firm understanding of the approach. Besides, continuous practice builds up the experience and grooms an individual’s skillet gradually.