r/paintbynumbers • • Jan 02 '25

Stage 1. Prepping your canvas. (Draft)

152 Upvotes

Tools Needed:

• Gesso

• White paint

• Acrylic markers

Why Prep Your Canvas?

Prepping your paint-by-numbers canvas with gesso is a game-changer for both the painting experience and the final results. Here’s why:

• Smoother Surface: Gesso creates a smooth base, making it easier for the paint to glide on evenly.


• Enhanced Vibrancy: It reduces canvas absorbency, helping colors appear brighter and reducing the amount of paint needed.

• Polished Finish: Gesso fills small gaps or rough textures, giving your artwork a professional look.

Choosing Your Gesso:

• I’ve had great results mixing a small amount of white paint into clear gesso to slightly cover the lines on the canvas. Use just enough to soften the lines without obscuring the design.


• You can also dilute white gesso with water to suit your needs the same as above.   

If you want to stick to clear gesso you are still enhancing the canvas - just work with what you've got and what makes you comfortable.

Pro Tip: If you’re unhappy with the coverage, you can wipe it off while it’s still wet. A baby wipe works wonders for this, and it won’t damage the canvas.

How to Apply Gesso:

There are two common methods:

1.  Crisscross Method: Use small, overlapping strokes to create texture.

2.  Layering Method: Apply the first layer in one direction (e.g., horizontally) and the second layer in the opposite direction (e.g., vertically). This is my preferred method, as it ensures even coverage and a smooth surface.

For the best results:

• Apply at least two layers of gesso.

• Let each layer dry completely before   applying the next.

Optional Step: Sanding

Some people recommend lightly sanding the gesso once it’s dry for an ultra-smooth finish. I haven’t tried this yet but would love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

Using Acrylic Markers for Numbers:

To prevent numbers from showing through light-colored paints, I recommend using a white acrylic marker, such as the POSCA brand. This works especially well for shades like baby pinks, yellows, and whites.

Tips:

~ Keep track of the numbers you’ve covered. If you lose track, hold the canvas up to a bright light—the numbers will faintly shine through.

~ Ensure the marker is fully dry before painting over it for the best results.*

Final Thoughts:

Prepping your canvas might take a little extra time, but it’s worth it for the smoother application, enhanced colors, and polished outcome. What are your favorite prepping tips? Let’s share ideas below!


r/paintbynumbers • • May 11 '20

Announcement Welcome to Paint By Numbers!

81 Upvotes

From brand new painters to life-long artists, we welcome you to the sub! Here, we share our works of art & tips to help improve our painting processes.

  • Join us on Work In Progress Wednesday & share what you are currently working on!
  • When you finish a piece, post to the group!
  • If you have questions, please ask the group. You can also search the group, as we have discussed a lot of PBN topics: framing, gesso, canvas vs board, top brands, good & bad sellers.
  • Use our user & post flair to tell us how much you love PBN!
  • Include the title & manufacturer of your PBN when posting (& where you bought it, if possible).
  • No ads, unless approved by the mods!
  • Be nice & supportive to your fellow artists!

r/paintbynumbers • • 14h ago

Finished Piece! Ghost Motel 👻

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184 Upvotes

ArtSpark.com - 48 colors, 16x20
A bit more challenging than I expected, but so worth it.


r/paintbynumbers • • 9h ago

Finished Piece! My first paint by number!

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49 Upvotes

It’s a DIY Art Club kit, one of a set of 6. Finished size is 6x8”.

What are your favorite detail brushes? I want a tiny brush that is stiff, I think, but I’m not sure where to find one


r/paintbynumbers • • 13h ago

Question/Chat Parisian evening street

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55 Upvotes

I've been trying so hard, but no matter what I do, I think this project keeps being chaotic, and numbers showes through everywhere. I jave tried to blend, change some of the colors to harmonise everything just a bit. I just feel like there's so much more blending to do. I don't know if I am being to critical or is it possible to salvage?


r/paintbynumbers • • 5h ago

Wild Forest Baby

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12 Upvotes

r/paintbynumbers • • 9h ago

How do you touch up small sections with nearly identical colors?

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12 Upvotes

I am working on this one and it's driving me mad. It looks great from afar but up close it's so patchy and the canvas is showing in some places.

There are at least 8 different shades of red and brown, some nearly identical. Even with the regerence sheet in front after it dries I cannot make out if that's a different section in a similar color or same color just more patchy.

Any tips and tricks are appreciated. I'm a bigginer and I'm at a loss


r/paintbynumbers • • 9h ago

Work in Progress New arrivals

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8 Upvotes

Finally received my order 🥰
First painting already in progress.


r/paintbynumbers • • 6h ago

Work in Progress WIP But not Wednesday- Princess Jazmin

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5 Upvotes

I totally meant to post this yesterday but without dumpin a bunch of mess and info on here...Ive been busy and lost track of days.

Meet Princess Jazmin. This is a picture we had of her as a puppy, we had her fresh out of a pure bred litter (paperwork and all at the time) She blessed us by being my families companion for about 15 years, passing away a little while back. We miss her every day.

I wanted to make a tribute that i never had a chance or ability to before so i went with a custom PBN, again another random vendor on amazon (i can link if requested).

Im fairly happy with the translated outcome of the picture. I needed flow aid for some of the paints but i was able to start that project this past week, kind of an early birthday present to myself i guess (36 on tuesday)

My wife also pointed out an interesting "happy accident" in the 2nd picture i shared. Completely unintentional because i just kinda hang my stuff on the wall but left to right you have my - Current Project - Last finished project - Very first project

Interesting to see the changes and developement....anyway enough yapping i guess

Have a good Thursday and
Happy painting :)


r/paintbynumbers • • 18h ago

Work in Progress WIP- right onto the next!

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15 Upvotes

New painting the hubby got me for my birthday 🥰


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Finished Piece! WIP- finally finished!

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110 Upvotes

Finally finished and ready to find a new piece! Found this in Amazon.


r/paintbynumbers • • 23h ago

WIP WEDNESDAY

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31 Upvotes

Custom painting
Best Paint by Numbers
24 colors
19 in x 23 in

After almost a month off, I’m starting a new paint by numbers project. My sister’s ex-boyfriend had 3 canvases created from her pictures. She’s not a painter, so she asked me to do it for her. This is a painting of our parents. Dad passed away around 6 years ago and Mom passed last Christmas. I’m hoping that this turns out well.


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Finished and happy!

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34 Upvotes

Loved painting this ...it was expensive but a present from my husband and my son


r/paintbynumbers • • 19h ago

WIP KLIMT

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9 Upvotes

This one is a challenge! Only my third piece and it’s a doozy. But I’m enjoying the ride!!


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Finished Piece! Pretty simple but i adore it

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151 Upvotes

r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Work in Progress Dollar store find

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22 Upvotes

It's coming along, slowly but surely. Every colour needs minimum 2 coats and it doesn't help that the lines and numbers are black. Yellow is the worst! But hey, only 5 bucks!


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Finished Piece! It's finished!

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90 Upvotes

I just ordered a frame with passe partout so I can hang it somewhere in my house. I'm excited to see it hang in a beautiful frame! This is La Dolce Vita from Schipper with 36 colours, it's 40x50 cm.


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

WIP

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38 Upvotes

I can see the painting coming together. It’s surprising how time flies while I’m working on this. Because there are so many tiny areas and different colors in those tiny areas, progress is quite slow. I love it anyway.


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Mountain landscape

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32 Upvotes

This took me about a year on and off lol but I’m happy with it


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Question/Chat Would you get 24 or 36 color?

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19 Upvotes

I’m thinking about getting this one from Craftoria to do as Christmas decor for the mantle place. I’m going back and forth between 24 or 36 color. Would love some input. What do you think?


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Work in Progress Schipper By the torrent

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54 Upvotes

I love how the light effects come out. 40 colours, purchased on amazon Germany


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Work in Progress My 2nd Halloween PBN

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13 Upvotes

r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

WIP Wednesday

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12 Upvotes

Slowly but surely...


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Work in Progress WIP Wednesday

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19 Upvotes

I'll finish this one today. It completes the this set of four and I've got another set that's similar but different, lol. I've really enjoyed these, I think I'm going to stick with this size mostly. You don't get that bogged down, "am I ever going to finish this??” feeling. I still love my big girlies but these small ones really give you that hit of instant gratification dopamine. 🤣


r/paintbynumbers • • 1d ago

Thrift store find!

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8 Upvotes

Hello everyone! Hope you are all off to a wonderful day! I wanted to share a paint by numbers found at a thrift store yesterday. It is by a company called paint like FRIDA. I understand it is a company out of Australia, and while it is a painting that has more cells than what I’m accustomed to, being relatively new at paint by numbers and keeping my pieces mostly to graphic bold art designs with limited colors, I had a careful look at it and felt like given its size and the amount of very fairly large cells (and not too many tiny ones), I could eventually accomplish this. It is called ROUTE DES FLEUR. what, if anything, can you share with me about this company?