The 50 Ultimate Paint by Numbers Tips, Tricks & Hacks (The Only Guide You Need)

The difference between a good painting and a great one is often a few simple tricks.

Paint by Numbers is easy to start, but harder to master. We’ve all faced lumpy paint, numbers that won't cover, or shaky hands. The good news is that for every problem, there is a clever hack.

We have gathered the collective wisdom of the PBN community into one massive resource. Let’s dive into the 50 ultimate tips to elevate your art.

Phase 1: Preparation & Setup

• 1. Iron Out Creases First: Before you start, lay the canvas face down on a towel and iron the back on a low/medium setting to remove folds.
• 2. The Gesso Hack: Apply a coat of clear acrylic gesso to the canvas before painting. This gives the surface "tooth," making paint adhere better and flow smoother.
• 3. Tape it Down: Use masking tape to secure your canvas to a flat board. This prevents it from shifting while you work.
• 4. Good Lighting is Non-Negotiable: Never paint in dim light. Use a bright daylight lamp or sit by a window to ensure colour accuracy and reduce eye strain.
• 5. The Reference Photo: Take a high-quality photo of your blank canvas before you start. If you accidentally paint over a number, you can zoom in on your phone to check it.
• 6. Get Comfortable: You’ll be here a while. Use a comfortable chair and ensure your table is at the right height to avoid back pain.
• 7. Mise en Place: Like a chef, have everything ready before you begin: water jar, paper towels, brushes, and paints.
• 8. A Magnifying Glass Helps: For those tiny, intricate sections, a magnifying lamp or headset can be a game-changer.
• 9. Create a "Wet Palette": To keep acrylics from drying out on your palette, use wet paper towels underneath wax paper.
• 10. Read the Basics: If you are brand new, start with our comprehensive Ultimate Beginner’s Guide before diving into these hacks.

Phase 2: Paint Management

• 11. Open Carefully: Paint pots are often vacuum-sealed. Open them slowly over a paper towel to avoid an explosion of pigment.
• 12. Stir Every Pot: Even if it looks fine, give every new pot a good stir with a toothpick to re-incorporate the binder and pigment.
• 13. One at a Time: Only ever have one paint pot open at a time to prevent drying.
• 14. Flow Improver > Water: Water breaks down the binder in acrylics. Use a professional "Flow Improver" medium to thin paint without losing quality.
• 15. The Warm Water Revival: If paint is gummy, add one drop of warm water and stir vigorously. (See more in our Fixing Mistakes Guide).
• 16. Clean Lids: Wipe the rims of your paint pots before closing them so they seal tightly for next time.
• 17. Don't Scoosh the Brush: Never push your brush all the way to the bottom of the water jar; it bends the bristles.
• 18. Blot, Don't Wipe: After rinsing, gently blot your brush on a paper towel. Pulling at the bristles will ruin the point.
• 19. Use a Palette: Don't paint straight from the pot. Decant a small amount onto a palette so the main pot doesn't dry out.
• 20. Save Extra Paint: Finished? Keep leftover pots for future touch-ups or other craft projects.

Phase 3: Technique & Application

• 21. The Golden Rule: Darkest First: Generally, paint dark colours first. It’s easier to overlap dark areas with light paint later than vice versa.
• 22. Top to Bottom, Left to Right: (If you are right-handed). This prevents your hand from smudging wet paint.
• 23. The "Toothpick Trick": For impossibly small areas, abandon the brush and use the tip of a wooden toothpick to apply a dot of paint.
• 24. Hold it Close: For precision work, hold the brush close to the bristles, like a pencil, for maximum control.
• 25. Paint Over the Lines: Don't be afraid to slightly overlap the border lines. This ensures there are no white gaps between colours.
• 26. Two Thin Coats > One Thick Coat: Thick paint dries lumpy. Two thin, smooth coats look much more professional.
• 27. Feathering Edges: When painting landscapes, use a dry brush to softly feather the edges between colours for a more natural look. (Essential for our Landscape Kits).
• 28. Zig-Zag Blending: To blend two wet colours, use a clean brush in a zig-zag motion across the boundary line.
• 29. Scumbling for Fur: For animal kits, use a dry, scruffy brush with very little paint to drag colour over the surface, creating fur texture.
• 30. Use Enough Paint: Don't be stingy. Flow the paint onto the canvas; don't scrub it in.

Phase 4: Troubleshooting & Fixes

• 31. The "Whiteout" Trick: If a number shows through light paint, cover the number with a dot of white paint first, let it dry, then apply the correct colour.
• 32. Wrong Colour? Wait.: Never wipe wet mistakes. Let it dry completely, then paint over it.
• 33. Shaky Hands?: Rest your painting wrist on a soup can or a mahl stick to stabilize your hand while doing details.
• 34. Missing Numbers: If a section has no number, check the reference sheet. It’s usually meant to be the darkest colour in the kit (often black or dark grey).
• 35. Fuzzy Lines: If the printed lines are blurry, use a fine-tip black marker to redefine the borders before you paint.
• 36. Paint Not Sticking: If paint beads up in certain spots, it might be oil on the canvas. Gently wipe the area with a damp cloth and a tiny drop of dish soap.
• 37. Brush Has the "Frizzes": Dip frizzy brush bristles in boiling water for 5 seconds, then reshape with your fingers and let dry.

Phase 5: Finishing & Mindset

• 38. Step Back Often: Up close, it looks like blobs. Step back 5 feet to see the image resolve. Trust the process.
• 39. Find Your Flow: Remember, this is about relaxation. Don't rush. Read about why this is so therapeutic in our post on The Science of Relaxation.
• 40. The Final Check: Once done, take it into a different room with different lighting to spot any missed tiny white gaps.
• 41. Seal Your Work: Apply a clear acrylic varnish (gloss or matte) when finished. This protects it from dust, UV rays, and makes the colours pop.
• 42. Stretch it Yourself: Don't buy expensive frames. Use our DIY Wooden Frame Kits to stretch your canvas professionally.
• 43. Frame It Right: Learn exactly how to display your work in our guide: From Canvas to Gallery Wall.
• 44. Sign It: You painted it! Sign your name in the bottom corner with a fine brush.
• 45. Listen to Audiobooks: Painting is the perfect time to catch up on reading. It occupies the visual brain while your mind listens.
• 46. Take Breaks: To avoid neck strain and eye fatigue, take a 5-minute break every hour.
• 47. Start Simple: Don't choose a complex kit for your first try. Shop our Beginner Collection.
• 48. Don't Compare: Your painting doesn't need to look like the photo on the box. It's hand-painted; imperfections make it unique.
• 49. Gift It: A completed PBN makes an incredibly thoughtful, personal gift.
• 50. Enjoy the Process: The joy is in the painting, not just the finished product.

About the Author

Written by William Murdock. We are passionate about helping you create art you are proud of. We believe that with the right tips and the right tools, anyone can master paint by numbers.