Do you want to feel like real artists and paint their famous masterpieces? Then you need to familiarize yourself with how to paint pictures by numbers.

How to draw paintings by numbers on canvas?

So that you will soon see juicy strawberries with emerald leaves and white flowers, then we suggest downloading the following diagram for such a picture by number.

It’s not at all difficult to complete such paintings by numbers. As you can see, the palette is presented on the right, each shade is assigned a number. So:

• one is red;
• deuce pink;
• 3 light green;
• 4 green;
• 5 dark green;
• 6 even darker green;
• 7 light green;
• 8 yellow;
• 9 light brown;
• 10 blue;
• 11 brown;
• 12 dark brown.

• diagram of the painting with numbers and palette;
• paints;
• acrylic lacquer;
• canvas or cardboard sheet;
• brush.

At the beginning of creativity, you can use the most different colors: gouache, acrylic, watercolor. Even colored pencils and markers will do.

1. Looking at the palette tips, you need to paint specific areas of the picture with a certain color. It is better to first use one shade, for example, in this picture, paint over the berries, the chicken’s comb, and its beard in red. Then shade around her eyes using pink paint.
2. To make the strawberry leaves look as realistic as you can see, they are depicted using different shades, from light to dark green.
3. This painting is perfect for beginners, as there are quite large elements. Sometimes there are small ones too. If it is not possible to indicate their color, then extension lines are used for this.
4. To draw a picture by numbers, you need to download two identical copies if you will paint on one of them. Then you can look at the second one at any time to make sure that you used the right color when painting.
5. You can download one diagram and decide whether you will draw on canvas or cardboard. Then it is necessary to transfer the outlines to some of these materials. To do this, you can use carbon paper, placing it on this surface, and the downloaded diagram on top. If artistic detail large, she can draw all the cells on the canvas, and only then transfer each fragment to canvas or cardboard.
6. But the easiest way is to start with a sheet of thick paper on which you simply print the presented diagram. You can enlarge it to clearly see even small fragments.

To get darker or lighter shades, mix two colors at a time. So, to turn green into light green, you need to add white to it. Red will turn pink if you add a little scarlet to white.

If you want to buy a painting by numbers, then pay attention to the level of difficulty, it is indicated by asterisks. The more there are, the more colors you will have to use and the higher the complexity. Usually there are from 1 to 5 stars.

What paints, brushes, finishes to choose for paintings by numbers?

About paint

Acrylic paints are an excellent option for creating such artistic masterpieces. The intermediate layer will dry in just a couple of minutes. Once you have used the paint, seal it well enough and it will keep for several months. If you are putting off starting creative process, you bought paint in a can but didn’t open it, don’t worry, it can be stored in this form for several years. But keep in mind that acrylic paint, if it has dried, cannot be diluted with anything.

Therefore, after opening the container, it must be closed very well. If there is a dried layer on the lid of the jar or on its edges, remove it, and only then tightly seal the container so that the seal is not broken.

As mentioned above, it is better to first cover the fragments of the picture with paint of the same tone. This is due not only to the convenience of painting, but also to the fact that then you will not have to open a jar of paint of a certain color several times, which will significantly extend the shelf life.

About brushes

It is important to choose the right brush. If you need to paint a large area, then use a flat one. If it is necessary to draw individual parts, in this case, take round brushes. To ensure that the paints are the desired shade, rinse the brush well in water after using a certain color, then blot it with a napkin. If this is not done, water may get into the already applied paint and change its tone.

It is necessary to wash the brush every 5-7 minutes if you paint with one color for more than this time.

How to draw color by number paintings

A canvas requires a more expensive frame and the canvas itself costs more than cardboard, but if it is already stretched on a stretcher, then it is not in danger of deforming due to moisture, like a painting with a base on cardboard, if it is not framed. When you become more experienced in this craft, you will be able to draw on canvas and feel like a real artist.
You can choose a frame for your work based on the following tips:

1. The frame should fit first of all to the picture itself, and secondly to the interior.
2. For small artistic masterpieces, choose thin frames. If the canvas is medium or large in size, then wider and more voluminous frames will be very appropriate here.
3. If you hang your work not close to the wall, leave a gap of 0.5–1 cm, then the painting with a stretcher, made on canvas, will look more voluminous.

1. If you want your finished piece to shine brightly for as long as possible, protect it from UV exposure. To do this, coat with matte acrylic varnish.
2. If you want your painting by numbers to shine, then use a glossy varnish. But in this case, you will need to hang it correctly, since too bright lighting and a switched-on light bulb can glare on the canvas when viewing the image.
3. To ensure that your masterpiece retains its original appearance for a long time, do not store it in a humid place or where there are temperature changes. Otherwise, the canvas tension will weaken and the stretcher may become deformed.
4. If you bought a set for paintings by numbers, then cover your art with its packaging to protect it from mechanical influences, light, and dust.

Examples of paintings by numbers on cardboard

To paint by numbers, take:

• a printed diagram of the painting in two copies;
• acrylic paints;
• tassels;
• a jar of water;
• napkins;
• sheet of cardboard;
• photo frame

1. Print out the pattern you like on a printer; you can use the suggested colors or colors that you like best. If you prefer pink and lilac coloring, then use these colors.
2. As you can see, a similar flower draws from the core. Traditionally it should be yellow, but in this case pink is used. It harmonizes perfectly with the lilac used to paint the petals.
3. The veins between them, in this case they are designated by the number 8, you can make lighter or darker using the same color scheme.
4. Lilac paint goes well with green, so the leaves of the plant will be exactly that color.

After it has dried, coat the work with varnish and frame it.

If you like village landscapes, cozy houses that look like fairy tales, then for the next paint-by-numbers picture, use the proposed plot.

1. Start with the pre-sunset sky, which is depicted here in pink tones, it itself is light, and the clouds are darker. The roof of the building is depicted in the same color scheme. Like this, gradually move from top to bottom, fill the space of the canvas with paints.
2. To make it look like the path is illuminated by the setting sun, use light green paint. Paint its areas in the shade with green and dark green paint.
3. The stone path also has varying degrees of illumination. Where it is lighter, use white or beige paint. The shadows on the stone path are drawn using brown, dark brown, the outline between the elements - with the addition of black paint.
4. The bright yellow windows eloquently indicate that the lights were turned on in the house to sit in the cozy atmosphere of a fabulous evening.
5. The positive mood of the painting is conveyed by bright flowers, to create which you will use white, blue, pink, and crimson paint. Trees are created using white and green from light to dark shades.

Anyone who loves animals will probably like the next one.

1. First paint the cat's head using a sand color. Cover part of her back, chest, and paws with the same tone. Don't forget to rinse your brush if you paint for more than 5-7 minutes.
2. Using brown tones of various shades, decorate the cat figurine, and highlight the shirtfront, some places on the head and around the nose with white paint.
3. The shading under the chin will be created by using black paint and adding white paint to create a dark grey.
4. All that remains is to depict the sky blue, greenery in various shades of green.

If you are interested in this type of needlework, then watch the intricacies of creating works included in the video. From the first one you will learn how to draw pictures by numbers to depict your parents or other loved ones here. The plot shows the intricacies of such work and what is required for this.

So that you also enjoy the process and result of creating a painting by numbers " Golden autumn", watch another video.

This is a picture with a specific image, which is pre-divided into numbered zones, each of which should be painted with the paints included in the set.

By painting all the numbered zones one by one with the colors corresponding to them, you get a finished image that will look like a real masterpiece of a professional artist. After drying, the picture can be placed in a frame and decorated with any interior, or presented as a gift to friends.

Surprisingly, Leonardo Da Vinci himself used the paint-by-numbers method; his students painted numbered areas on the sketches he drew.

The Paint by Numbers kit includes:

• water based acrylic paints
• canvas with printed contours
• drawing-scheme
• brushes depending on the size of the painting (3-4 pcs.)

1. Before you start coloring pictures by numbers, choose a comfortable and well-lit place to work.

2. In addition to the coloring set, prepare:

• glass of water - for washing brushes
• sponge or cloth - for wiping excess paint from the brush and hands
• toothpicks - for stirring paints (if this is intended)
• saucer or plate - container for mixing colors

3. Depending on the manufacturer, the paint jars may either already be numbered, or the kit contains a set of stickers for the lids of the paint jars, which should be applied to them before painting. If the set includes 2 jars of the same color, then you can use a permanent marker or pen to mark the second jar; for convenience, you can duplicate the numbers on the side of the jars.

4. Before starting work, prepare paints for painting.

5. Open cans of paint carefully, without using force, otherwise you may damage it, break it, or spill some of the paint.

6. After opening the jar, inside lids may not remain a large number of paint, which should be removed back into the jar with a brush. After this, thoroughly stir the paint with a toothpick.

7. Before you start painting, you need to adjust the viscosity of the paints. If the paint is too thick, it must be thinned with water by adding water using a brush. There is no need to try to make the paints too liquid, otherwise they will become too transparent and will not be able to paint over the outline on the coloring page.

8. Work with the brush correctly! The brush should be held like a pen. And the picture must be positioned so that it is convenient to color it.

9. Try to dip only the tip of the brush into the paint, and not the entire brush.

10. Be patient! Paint with the tip of the brush without bevelling it to paint the area faster. Do not press the brush too hard, use gentle pressure to glide it easily across the canvas.

11. The sets, as a rule, come with brushes with a small base diameter for easy painting of small areas of the picture. Painting large areas with a small brush is not always convenient, so if you have larger diameter brushes, you can use them.

12. Rinse your brush thoroughly before you are ready to take a different color so that the paints in the jars do not mix, because even the smallest drop of dark paint will turn a light color into a completely different shade. If you accidentally stain light paint, carefully remove the dark shade from the surface of the paint using a cotton swab.

13. Do not try to put a lot of paint on the brush; it is better to dip the brush into the paint a little and more often than to drop a drop of paint on the drawing, thereby ruining it. If you do accidentally drop paint on your drawing, you can carefully wash off the drop with water, removing the excess with a dry sponge.

14. After drying, the picture will acquire a slight gloss. In order to “extend the life” of your creation, you can optionally coat it with varnish, which can be purchased at any art store. You can choose 2 types of varnish: glossy - will enhance the brightness of colors, or matte - will remove glare.

15. To preserve the effect of the painting, you should not place it under glass, just frame it. Do not forget that you need to look at the picture and evaluate it from a distance of about 2-3 meters.

If you think that only artists can draw, then you are mistaken. Holding a brush in your hands and moving it over the host is very popular even for those who do not know all the intricacies of this art. Using paint-by-numbers kits, even schoolchildren can become real artists.

Have you bought a painting and can’t wait to start working on it? Absolutely right, there is no need to put off creativity for later. The handmade market is regularly replenished with new products, offering needlewomen more chances to realize their talents and hidden capabilities.

Craftswomen who have experience in drawing note that the choice of a picture and the technique of coloring it plays an important role in the drawing process.

Before you start coloring by numbers, learn 6 simple but important points that will help you draw a real hand-made masterpiece!

1. Buy paint-by-number kits only in trusted specialized stores (here in this store a good choice coloring books and decent service). This will help eliminate problems with the quality of components.
2. Do not hurry. Before coloring, test the resulting color (if using mixed paints) on a sheet of paper or cardboard. Haste is a bad advisor in such a delicate matter as art. Experiment with the palette, combine colors, dilute them, invent something unique, your own.
3. Choose your technique. Sketchy and chaotic painting will confuse you and, most likely, will not give the expected result. Therefore, read the instructions, the procedure for painting a fragment of this picture and the recommendations of the manufacturer.
4. Drawing should be comfortable. If you are the happy owner of an easel, there is no doubt that the artistic process will be comfortable for you. But for more modest artists, it is better to clear the surface of the desk and work in a position where the painting is fixed horizontally.
5. Be careful. Many creative people They note that they work much better with the “purring” of the TV, favorite series, or just the radio. This is true. But don't relax too much! The wrong color applied to a painting can ruin the entire process. Before using paints, make sure they match the number printed on the canvas.
6. Patience. Sometimes work does not progress as quickly as we would like. Remember that the greats of this world have been working on paintings for years. The main thing is quality work, and not a stopwatch counting the time spent on drawing.

Drawing pictures by numbers is by no means an activity only for children. Did you know that students of Leonardo da Vinci himself used this technique? Yes Yes! The apprentices painted over fragments of Leonardo's works based on the sketches he made. Therefore, not much, not little, you join in truly high art. Which deserves nothing but praise. Any creativity can paint the world with bright colors, and when it comes to drawing, then it’s up to you to paint everything around. And what color your today or tomorrow’s mood will be depends only on you! Pick up a brush and start painting!

Ways to color paint by number books

Tip No. 1. How to paint with acrylic paints

Basics of working with acrylic paints

Brief technical information: Acrylic is a paint consisting of three main components. Pigment, synthetic binder (acrylic polymer emulsion) and water. The latter is especially important for us. Acrylic paint dries as soon as the water evaporates from it. That is why it is difficult to adapt to them at first - they dry very quickly both in work and on the palette. It is worth remembering that acrylic paint becomes darker as it dries.

Tools and materials

Acrylic paints can be found in jars and tubes.

One of the advantages of acrylic is that in combination with it you can use a huge number of additional artistic means. It’s worth stopping here and talking about one more thing. important point- fresh acrylic is easily removed with water. Dried paint requires solvents (! After working with acrylic, rinse your brushes thoroughly with water! Acrylic that has dried in a brush can ruin the brush forever!).

Keep your paint in working condition.

Since acrylic paint dries very quickly, squeeze it out of the tube a little at a time. If you use a regular plastic palette, buy a spray bottle to spray water onto the paint, dampening it.

Brushes.
If possible, buy special brushes for acrylic paints. They are different forms, sizes and textures. Typically, these are synthetic or nylon brushes. When working with acrylic paints, frequent immersion in water can damage the brush. With natural brushes there is no need to press on the canvas. You need to draw with the tip, as if suspended. At first it will not be familiar, but when you get used to natural brushes, you will become a true connoisseur of them.

Wipe the brush.
Keep a paper towel or rag nearby and dry the brush every time you wash. Then drops of water will not go down the rim and fall on the drawing, leaving blots.

Important properties. Generalization and something new.

And so, we have already said that acrylic paint dries very quickly. And this is its big advantage.
In addition to this, uncured acrylic can be easily removed with water, while dried acrylic is resistant to water. This can be very useful because it allows you to apply a second coat of paint without the risk of destroying the first.
Acrylic paints allow you to work in layers - unlike oil and watercolors, the top layer is usually not transparent, and the bottom layer is not visible - this can be convenient when you need to correct some minor imperfections. Or when you need to apply a bright design on some background.
Acrylic paints are unpretentious to neighbors. They can be combined with both oil and watercolor. And use on almost any surface.
Acrylic does not smell. And during operation it does not emit any fumes that interfere with breathing, as when working with oil. And this is also an important plus))
Acrylic can be applied either very thinly (like watercolor) or in a thick layer - like oil. Moreover, it will still adhere well to the surface and not spread - this is due to its high elasticity.
Acrylic does not crack or fade.

Beginning of work

Choose a good location. As with most things, drawing is best done in natural light. Sit near an open window or in a room with plenty of natural light. You'll be able to see little nuances in your brush strokes and colors that you wouldn't be able to see in other lighting.

Lay out all your materials.Every artist has a different approach to organizing their materials, but it's best to arrange them as you see fit before you begin. Fill the jars with water, take out the brushes and paints you want to use, and place your palette in the perfect spot. You may also want to wear a robe or an old shirt.

Find a light source. Color changes depending on how the light hits it, so before you start painting, determine the position of the main light source. Pay attention to this throughout the drawing process. You should use lighter colors near the light source and darker colors away from it. This may seem basic, but identifying your light source before you start will help your flowers sit as they should.

Shutdown

Cover the picture with a layer of varnish. Although it is not necessary, many artists choose to coat the painting with a layer of varnish to seal the acrylic paints. This helps the paint chemically bond with the canvas and better protects the paint from damage.

Clean your brushes and work area. Be sure to wash your brushes immediately after finishing using them. Acrylic paint can seriously damage and ruin brushes if left to dry on the bristles. Wash the bristles of your brushes with soap and water cold water until the water runs clear (warm/hot water will set the paint on the brushes). Wipe off any paint from your workbench and wash out your water cans.

Save any unused paint.Acrylic paint can last for several months in a tightly sealed container, so if you have any left over, save it for later.

Leave the painting to dry.Place the painting somewhere where it can dry in 1-2 days. Acrylic paints have a very a short time drying, but they must be placed where they will not be disturbed so that they can dry properly.

Purpose of brushes:

1.FLAT BRUSH WITH STANDARD EXHIBITION

Combines hairs of different lengths for the best maneuverability: make bold strokes with the wide part of the brush and thin strokes with the edge of the brush.

FLAT FRUMINATED BRUSH

Used for precise strokes, as well as for serpentine lines and curves.

HAZEL SHAPE BRUSH

It has the advantages of both a flat and a round brush. Great choice for better color mixing.

SCHLEPPER

Brush for long straight lines. Long pile allows you to hold a large amount of paint. Simply hold the brush without pressure, almost perpendicular to the surface, and allow the paint to flow onto the paper.

Tip #2. By coloring pictures by numbers

So, in front of you is an open set of paint-by-numbers coloring books and you can’t wait to start creating your masterpiece. The tips below will help you draw a picture in such a way that you can be proud of your work, and after finishing painting you will hardly be able to guess that the picture was painted using this method (by numbers).

Of course, in this article it is impossible to tell and describe all the nuances that exist, since painting is a real art. We simply tried to summarize the practical drawing experience we have already accumulated along with the recommendations of various manufacturers and present it in the most accessible form.

INTRODUCED THE DRAWING SEQUENCE

Preparing paints

Before you start painting, you need to carefully prepare your paints. They do not require any mixing of paints to obtain the desired shade and effect: everything is already completely prepared and numbered, since the manufacturer took care of this in advance! In our paint sets, the paints are perfectly matched to the color scheme and are presented in the right quantities so that your future masterpiece is guaranteed to be similar to the original, and maybe even better. Everything depends on you!

pay attention to numbering of paints in containers

When painting by numbers, it is extremely important that the numbers on the containers match the numbers on the canvas. Some plots involve the use of several containers with the same color of paint, respectively, these paints have the same number. Therefore, the numbering sequence is as follows:

Opening bottles

Open bottles of paint carefully, without using force - this may damage the bottle. To prevent paint from drying out, always open only those paints that you really need at the moment.

Drawing

For convenience, place the following items near you: an image of the finished painting, paints, a brush, a canvas with an outline, a control sheet, a glass of water, a piece of cloth and matches for stirring the paints. It is better to choose a place with good lighting. Outline large surfaces first with a thin brush, and then paint over the surfaces with a thicker brush. Make sure you paint over contour lines. It is considered normal if dark paint covers better than light paint. If the outlines or numbers show through, apply paint to them several times.

How to hold a brush

Hold the brush like a pen. For stability, place your hand on the surface and rotate the picture so that its location is convenient for you.

Drawing order

There is no single approach to the order of painting. There are several drawing techniques:

1)You can draw a picture using the “line by line” method, from the top edge of the picture to the bottom.

2)However, you can achieve better results if you paint using the "background to foreground" method, first painting the objects in the background and then the ones in the foreground. For example, you are drawing a landscape. In this case, the drawing order is as follows: 1. sky, 2. clouds, 3. meadow, 4. trees, 5. leaves, 6. flowers.

Sometimes the question may also arise: should I paint a picture by numbers or by colors? Empirically and experimentally (Attention: such conclusions were made by “practitioners” and are not official recommendations of the manufacturer), some users identified two options:

1) In the sequence of numbering of paints in the set:

• from increasing the total number of areas and contours that need to be painted with one color to decreasing. Example: with paint No. 1 in the set you need to paint 15 contours, and with paint No. 2 - ten contours.
• from a larger total area of ​​contours that need to be painted with one color to a smaller one. This can be assessed visually by eye.

2) In sequence from lighter shades and colors to more saturated and dark ones. This is due to the fact that if there is an error in coloring, it is much more difficult to paint dark segments with light paint than it is to paint light segments with dark paint. In other words, in order to paint a dark segment with white paint, you need more layers and vice versa: you can paint a light segment with dark paint in one layer, i.e. much easier.

As you can see, there are many variations and interpretations of the paint by number technique. Various combinations and alternations of techniques and methods are also possible, which provides us with an endless number of options. In other words, you are absolutely not limited by anything except your imagination, desires and skills. You shouldn’t get hung up on anything: you need to draw in a way that is convenient, pleasant and comfortable for you. Just start drawing a picture and in the process you will understand which technique and method of drawing is most pleasant and convenient for you.

For a perfect image of the finished painting paint over unpainted areas and visible numbers. As in art galleries, you need to look at the picture and evaluate it from a distance of 2-3 meters.

Notes to skilled artists

The painting effect can be enhanced by applying different thicknesses of paint. To do this, apply the remaining paint in a thick layer to the elements of the picture that you would like to highlight. This will give the picture a relief effect.

Varnishing

Acrylic paints, after drying, acquire a light gloss and beautiful appearance. The surface of the painting can be wiped with a slightly damp cloth. No additional care required. If desired, a week after the painting has dried, you can coat its surface with a special varnish for paintings. Glossy varnish will enhance the brightness of the colors, and matte varnish will remove glare. Varnish can be purchased in special stores for artists and craftsmen.

Frame

By placing the picture in an appropriate beautiful frame, it will become a real masterpiece! To preserve the effect of the painting, you do not need to place it under glass. You can decorate your painting with a regular frame from self-service stores, or an elegant frame from specialty stores or galleries.

RULE FOR USING PAINTS

To paint without problems, you must follow the rules for using paints. This is extremely important!

Therefore, we ask you to carefully read the following rules and follow the drawing instructions.

Important: Once the paint cans are opened, the paint has a limited shelf life!

Rule 1

Open paint cans just before you start painting. It is very difficult to package quick-drying paints in such a small volume (about 3ml) so that they can be stored in a store long time. MENGLEI's latest generation of paint cans fulfill this requirement. However, once they have been opened, the paint may dry out. Therefore, the amateur artist should complete the painting as soon as possible after opening the paint cans

Rule 2

Using a brush, remove any stuck paint from the lid back into the jar. Boxes in a store or warehouse could be stored vertically. Therefore, when opening the jar, some paint may be on the lid.

Rule 3

Despite the fact that paint containers are tightly closed and are specially designed to preserve all the properties of the paint, the paint in them may thicken slightly during storage, for example, due to temperature changes. To “revive” paints and use them again, simply add a couple of drops of water to them and stir thoroughly. The paints are ready to use again!

Rule 4

Once the paint cans have been opened, try to complete the painting without taking long breaks. After opening the jars for the first time, there is a possibility that the paints may dry out. Therefore, after opening paint cans, try to use them within a maximum of 12 weeks.

Rule 5

If you want to take a break from working, close the containers tightly, first removing traces of liquid or already dried paint from the lid itself, from the edges of the lid and the sealing grooves of the lid.

In Figure AThe container is airtight because the edges of the container fit smoothly into the clean sealing grooves in the lid. The lid fits tightly to the edges of the jar.

In Figure B improperly closed jar. It can be seen that the remaining paint prevents the lid from closing tightly. Therefore, air entering the container dries out the paint. Therefore, clean each jar thoroughly before sealing it. Remove any remaining paint from the edge of the container with your fingernail or rag, and the round sealing grooves with a toothpick or large needle. Before closing the jar, make sure its rims and lid are clean.

Rule 6

If you plan to take a break from painting for a few weeks, tightly seal the paint pots as described above, then wrap them in a damp cloth and place them in plastic bag or in a plastic box. This will help protect the paints from drying out. However, this cannot guarantee that already opened paints will remain ready for use and retain their properties for many months or years.

Rule 7

After each break in painting, the viscosity of the paints should be slightly adjusted to ensure proper application.

Basically, when painting by numbers, acrylic paints are used. They are very popular in the art community because of their versatility. Suitable for beginners and professionals alike, ideal for learning a new technique or expanding your creativity. The texture is very similar to oil paints. A good result requires little patience or accuracy; the manufacturer also plays a big role. The quality of the paint is important outline drawings should be, on the one hand, clear and easy to read, on the other hand, invisible under a layer of paint. Special paper or canvas on which the paint will (or will not) adhere well.

2. If the paints have thickened a little during the painting process, you can add a few drops of water; this does not affect their properties. But if they are completely dry, it is impossible to restore them!

3. Paints are stored for a minimum of 12 weeks after opening, subject to certain rules.

Be sure to close the jars tightly and correctly, cleaning the edges of dried paint (this may prevent the lid from sealing tightly)

Use a toothpick to clean hard-to-reach places

In case of long breaks in coloring, wrap thoroughly cleaned and tightly closed jars in a damp cloth and pack them in a plastic bag or sealed plastic container. This will protect them from drying out.

During prolonged painting, the paints may become thicker. Don't be afraid to add a drop of water and mix thoroughly

4. Before you start coloring, prepare a jar of water (to wash your brushes), several rags (to wipe your brushes, hands, table, etc.), toothpicks - stir the paints and use them to paint the smallest details. A saucer, plate or palette - for mixing paints.

5. The sets, depending on the manufacturer, the size and complexity of the painting, include from one to 5 brushes. We recommend purchasing additional brushes in different sizes in advance. They are inexpensive, sold in any office supply department, but will greatly help you when coloring. And, most importantly, you will be able to separate the brushes - some to use only for light colors, some - only for dark ones, which will completely eliminate the mixing of paints when carelessly washing the brush. 6. If you often paint by numbers, we recommend purchasing a set of acrylic paints (base colors) in art stores, which will allow you to eliminate the problem of paint drying (of course, choosing a shade will take some time) and enhance the relief of the work. However, the paint sets contain enough paint for complete painting in 2-3 layers.

6. Open jars carefully, following the manufacturer's instructions to avoid damaging them.

7. Hold the brush the way you would hold your hand. Don't bend your hand to make drawing easier - rotate the picture!

8. Apply paint only to the very tip of the brush. It’s better to dip the brush into the jar twice than to ruin the design by dripping on it. If, however, this happens, use wet cotton buds to remove excess.

9. Color the picture in one of two ways - linearly, from top to bottom, to prevent smearing by hand, or from top to bottom, but first the background, then the foreground.

10. Start coloring with light colors, then darker ones, color the mixed parts last.

11. If, after finishing painting, numbers are visible somewhere, apply a second layer of paint to these segments. To give relief and a resemblance to oil, apply several layers to some elements.

12. After drying, the painting can be coated with glossy or matte varnish; this will “strengthen” it and allow it to be wiped with a slightly damp cloth. In the first case it will become brighter, in the second it will not glare. A frame will add completeness to your work.

Canvas or cardboard??

How do paintings from different manufacturers differ?

Schipper– Germany, premium class paintings. The kits do not require mixing paints. Material – cardboard, top layer – special paper, similar in texture to canvas. Bright colors, large selection of painting reproductions famous artists. There is a large selection of sizes, including 50*80, there are triptychs that look very impressive. High price, which is fully justified by its unsurpassed quality. “Solid” packaging, such a picture is an excellent gift (and if you take a large one, the gift will be simply magnificent). According to many - best coloring pages by numbers.

Menglei– the largest manufacturer in Asia, paintings of the highest quality. The paints do not require mixing. Material: canvas on a stretcher (self-assembly required). Full feeling of “real” drawing. Affordable prices at high quality, many reproductions, landscapes, still lifes. Various sizes, from 10*15 to 120*240 cm!!

Reeves– England, manufacturer with 200 years of “experience”. Paint mixing required. Material: cardboard, special texture very similar to canvas. This manufacturer’s assortment also includes sets for coloring with pencils, watercolors, colored pencils and others.