Paintings by numbers show the numbers under the paint. What is painting by numbers?

Good afternoon!!! In this block I will tell you how to correctly draw a picture by numbers. Where to start, how to care for brushes, secrets of using paints and many other tips. I hope that my tips will help you draw a masterpiece that you can be proud of, and after finishing coloring you will hardly be able to guess that the picture was painted using the by-numbers method.

Selecting the illuminated one workplace! Prepare paints, brushes, numbered canvas, a glass of water, paper napkins for drying brushes and toothpicks for mixing paints.

1. Preparing paints.

Acrylic– quick-drying paint. If you are not going to draw now, do not open the cans. Their original packaging allows them to be stored for an almost unlimited period of time, but after opening their service life is significantly reduced. If you have never tried this type of creativity, buy a small painting, since first you will need some time to develop the skill of drawing by numbers.

The paints are already numbered and ready to go, no need to mix them. The numbers on the paint cans match the numbers on the outlines on the canvas. 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. this moment. Acrylic paints will give the picture a special brightness and richness. First, we outline the outline of large details using a thin brush. Then paint with a thicker brush. If numbers and lines are visible, cover them with several layers of paint. Dark colors paint better than light ones.

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!

Paints can be stored for a minimum of 12 weeks after opening if certain rules are followed.

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.

2. Coloring.

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

3. Brushes.

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. 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.

How to hold a brush correctly.

Hold the brush correctly, like a pen. For stability, place your hand on the surface and rotate the picture so that its location is convenient for you. You should be comfortable drawing!

Secrets of caring for brushes

In order for the brush to serve you for a long time and with high quality, you must follow the recommendations below.

The most common mistakes:

1. Do not leave the brush in a glass of water.

2. Never clean your brush with aggressive chemicals.

3. Never use a brush to stir paint.

4. Never use your nails to remove dried paint.

Proper care:

The brush consists of three parts: a handle, metal fasteners and a fleecy part.

1. After painting, immediately wipe off any remaining paint from the brush.

2. Rinse the brush in clean warm water.

3. Gently lather the brush and then rinse it again.

4. Wipe the water off the brush using a rotating motion. Paint should not remain on the end of the metal fastener.

5. Use your fingers to shape the bristly part of the brush back to its original shape, forming the tip.

6. Put the brush down and let it dry on its own. Do not use a heater or hair dryer!

4. Drawing order.

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 damp cotton swabs to remove excess.

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

you can draw a picture using the “line by line” method, from the top edge of the picture to the bottom, to avoid smearing by hand
however, you can achieve better results if you paint using the "background to foreground" method, painting the background items first and then the foreground items. 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.

Start coloring with light colors, then paint the darker, mixed parts last. 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.

For a perfect image of the finished painting, paint over the unpainted areas and visible numbers. As in art galleries, you need to look at the painting 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.

5. Varnish coating.

Varnish coating. You can cover the completed painting with a special varnish after a few days. There are 2 types of artistic varnishes - glossy and matte. A glossy varnish will help make the picture bright, while a matte varnish will remove glare. It is better to coat the painting with varnish using a soft brush and broad strokes. Varnish can be purchased in special stores for artists and craftsmen.

6. 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. The painting will look great without a frame if you additionally paint the end parts. Just continue the drawing “around the corner” of the canvas, onto the end of the stretcher and hang it as is.

Many people have a question on what basis to buy a painting by numbers.

Canvas or cardboard??

This is not to say that canvas is better. Or, better yet, cardboard. Let's talk about the advantages and disadvantages of both. Cardboard– it’s easier to draw on it; if this is your first painting, choose cardboard. Paints adhere better, paintings on cardboard are cheaper. But, if this picture hangs in a house with temperature changes (for example, at a dacha, where you only visit in the summer, but New Year) – the cardboard may begin to deform. True, if you put it in a frame, this will not happen. Canvas on stretcher

Before you sit down to color, prepare the following:

paper or newspaper to protect the table surface from paint
a small container (for example, a glass) with water
toothpicks for mixing paints

Make sure that the surface on which you will draw is well lit.

There are sets where you do not need to mix paints, that is, each color has its own number on the cardboard. (Schipper, Plaid, Ravensburger), and those where some colors must be mixed from two existing shades. (KSG, Reeves, Dimensions). Usually, mixing colors are designated as A=1+5, B=12+4, or the mixing designation is through a fraction - 12/17, 9/13, etc.

This does not mean at all that sets with color mixing are worse or lower in quality than those where there is no need to mix. On the contrary, here you can play with shades, which will make the picture more individual. Which option to choose is up to you and only you.

It is recommended to start painting with small areas (they can be so small that the color number is marked at the end of the leader line), then it is recommended to paint areas marked with a single color number. Lastly, it is better to paint those areas where you need to mix paints. When mixing colors, remember to rinse your brush in water after using each color. It is better to apply paints in several layers - then the colors will be more saturated.

Some coloring pages have areas that are unnumbered or marked in gray. Take a close look at the paints from the set. The kit must contain paint without a number or with the number zero. These areas should be painted with this paint. If such paint is not included in the set, then the gray area is not painted over at all.

Do not let paints dry in jars or on brushes; wash your brush promptly. Do not leave paint containers uncovered or loosely sealed as this may cause the paint to dry out. Prolonged access of air to acrylic paints will turn them into a kind of rubber band - then it will no longer be possible to use them. For this reason, when you decide to sit down to coloring, plan your time so that, if possible, you do not get too distracted during the process. To evenly fill the brush with paint, dip it into the jar and, when removing it, turn it around its axis, removing excess paint on the edges of the jar. The paints may dry out, they may be too thick - this is not a defect, in this case water will help you, adding droplets of water, you will achieve the required thickness of the paints. For better orientation in your work, use the cover from the coloring book. To ensure that the work pleases you for a long time and the paints do not fade, use a special varnish for acrylic paints (the work is covered with it when the paints are completely dry, the varnish is not included in the kit). Choose a glossy varnish if, in your opinion, the picture is not bright enough. We recommend using matte varnish if the painting seems too rich and bright to you. The varnish should be applied to the finished painting with a wide brush in a thin layer.

If you plan to frame your work, we recommend choosing one with anti-reflective glass.

It is possible to use additional brushes: thin ones for small details and flat thick ones for painting more large parts. All coloring pages have age restrictions, mainly they are designed for adults and children over 7 years old - take this into account when choosing. All paints are water-based and therefore completely safe for both you and your child.

We hope that this article will be at least a little useful for you. We wish you good luck and success with this exciting paint by number process.

Useful information on the topic

Painting by numbers – relatively the new kind a creative hobby that allows a person, even without artistic drawing skills, to create colorful canvases in a variety of genres and painting techniques. When the painting is completed, you can hardly guess that it was painted using this method.

With the paint-by-numbers method, anyone can paint beautiful pictures by simply painting numbered surfaces with matching numbered paints. You will be proud of your work. Having framed the picture, it will perfectly decorate the interior of your home or serve as an excellent gift.

A drawing set is a great creative gift for yourself, children, friends and acquaintances, as well as parents and spouses.

Paint by numbers kit includes:

· Pure cotton canvas with numbered outline design on a wooden frame;

· A set of numbered acrylic paints in bright, long-lasting water-based colors with non-toxic ingredients. All the necessary paints are already included and do not require mixing;

· Set of brushes made of elastic nylon fiber;

· Checklist

Acrylic paints

Advantages and characteristics:

The painting by numbers kit uses water-dispersion (acrylic) paints in bright, durable colors, made from non-toxic materials.

Acrylic paint consists of three main components: pigment, binder and water. The binder is a synthetic material called acrylic polymer emulsion.

The popularity of acrylic has grown steadily since its introduction to the market about 50 years ago. This happened mainly due to a number of its serious advantages over traditional materials. Acrylic paints dry quickly, have good covering power and excellent color brightness - they do not fade in the sun (like watercolors) and do not fade over time (like oil), and after drying they take the form of an elastic, plastic-resistant coating.

Acrylic paints do not require wetting the brush in water during the application process, as, for example, when painting with watercolors. Their consistency allows, when applied undiluted in several layers, to give a dense and bright color coating.

Drying of acrylic paints occurs as a result of water evaporation. In this case, the paint forms a chemically stable elastic film consisting of a pigment and a binder. Unlike oil paints, dried acrylic is characterized by greater strength (less brittle); the paint does not crumble, its layer does not form cracks, and the surface does not peel off. Acrylic paint does not wrinkle over time and is not susceptible to normal changes in temperature and humidity. And, importantly, acrylic paint is practically odorless.

Acrylic dries quite quickly - a thin layer will dry as quickly as watercolor, thicker layers dry within a few minutes. Dried acrylic paint cannot be removed with water, it is difficult to scrape off and does not require fixing with fixatives or varnishes. Acrylic paints make it easy to correct mistakes made during the drawing process. Simply apply a new layer of the desired color on top of the dried one.

After work, you should tightly close the container with paint, having first thoroughly cleaned the lid of paint residues.

Rules for thinning paint:

Acrylic dissolves in water, which can be used to clean brushes and palettes. Acrylic can ruin brushes if they are not thoroughly washed after use.
Water can also be used as a thinner for slightly thickening acrylic paints. However, as a rule, a special thinner is used to reduce the viscosity of artistic acrylic paints. In particular, a thinner for acrylic paints is used to reduce the intensity of paints when using special artistic techniques.

Unlike other water-based paints, acrylic becomes insoluble once it dries. This is its positive quality, since the finished work is no longer affected by water, in addition, paint can be applied over dried layers.

Acrylic texture:

You can achieve almost any surface texture of a painting with acrylic paints. More liquid acrylic “like watercolor” reproduces all the characteristic qualities watercolor paints, while thick acrylic paints are often indistinguishable from oil paints.

Instructions for drawing the picture:

Each painting has its own sequence of paint numbers, especially when the set includes several jars of the same paint. The correct order of the painting numbers is shown on its corresponding checklist.

Preparing paints

Before you start painting, you need to carefully prepare your paints. These paints do not require any mixing. It is only necessary to adjust their viscosity. If the paint is too thick, it must be diluted with water, adding drop by drop using a brush.
Stir the paint thoroughly with a match or toothpick.
Open bottles of paint carefully, without using force - this may damage the bottle. Note: very small surfaces can be painted using a toothpick.

Drawing

For convenience, place the following items near you: an image of the finished painting, paints, a brush, 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. Trace large surfaces first with the tip of a toothpick, and then paint over the surfaces with a brush. Make sure you fill in the 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.
You can draw a picture using the line by line method, from the top edge of the picture to the bottom. However, you can achieve better results if you paint using the "background to foreground" method, painting in the background first and then the foreground. Example: landscape. Drawing order: 1. sky, 2. clouds, 3. meadow, 4. trees, 5. leaves, 6. flowers. To draw portraits, use the background-to-foreground method.
For a perfect image of the finished painting, paint over the unpainted areas and visible numbers.

As in art galleries, you need to look at the painting and evaluate it from a distance of 2-3 meters.

Notes to skilled artists :

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.

Rules for using paints
To paint without problems, you must follow the rules for using paints. It is important!
Therefore, we ask you to carefully read the following 8 rules and follow drawing instructions.
Important Note:
Once the paint cans have been 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 3 ml) so that they can be stored in the store for a long time. Paint cans, which are a latest generation development, fulfill this requirement. However, once they have been opened, the paint may dry out. Therefore, an amateur artist should complete the painting as soon as possible after opening the paint cans.

Rule 2: Opening cans of paint.
To prevent the paint from drying out, the jars are hermetically sealed. Therefore, opening them for the first time will be a little difficult. To open them you need to perform two steps.
Place a row of jars on the table. Press the clip with your thumb and forefinger to lift the lid slightly.
Hold the paint can with one hand and open the lid with the other.

Rule 3:
Using a brush, remove any stuck paint from the lid back into the jar. Boxes could be stored vertically in the store. Therefore, when opening the jar, some paint may be on the lid.

Rule 4:
Thickened paint can be reused by adding a few drops of water.
Even though the jars are tightly closed, the paints may thicken during storage due to temperature changes. Add a few drops of water so they can be used again.

Rule 5:
Once the paint cans have been opened, the picture should be painted without long breaks. After opening the jars for the first time, there is a possibility that the paints may dry out. After opening the jar, the paint must be used within 12 weeks, subject to the following rules.

Rule 6:
If you plan to take a break from painting, close the jars tightly, carefully removing paint from their rims and lids. Figures A and B show the principle:

Figure A.Properly closed jar. Its lid fits tightly to the edges of the jar.

Figure B. Incorrectly closed jar. Residues of paint prevent the lid from sealing tightly. Air enters from outside and the paint dries. Therefore, thoroughly clean each jar before sealing it. Remove any remaining paint from the edges of the jar and lid with a toothpick or large needle. Make sure the rims and lid are clean before closing the jar.

Rule 7:
If you plan to take a break from painting for a few weeks, seal the paint pots tightly as described above, then wrap them in a damp cloth and place them in a plastic bag or plastic box. This will help protect the paints from drying out. However, this cannot guarantee that paints that have already been opened will remain ready for use for many months or even years.

Rule 8: Viscosity of paints.
After each break in painting, the viscosity of the paints should be adjusted to ensure proper application. The paint contains water, which evaporates quickly if the can is opened. What can cause paint to thicken. To dilute it, add a few drops of water and then mix thoroughly.

Proper brush care!

In order for the brush to serve you for a long time and with high quality, you must follow the recommendations below. Artists often complain about the quality of brushes. However, in most cases this is due to improper brush care.

The most common mistakes:

1. Do not leave the brush in a glass of water.
2. Never clean your brush with aggressive chemicals.
3. Never use a brush to stir paint.
4. Never use your nails to remove dried paint.

Proper care:

The brush consists of three parts: a handle, metal fasteners and a fleecy part.
1. After painting, immediately wipe off any remaining paint from the brush.
2. Rinse the brush in clean warm water.
3. Gently lather the brush and then rinse it again.
4. Wipe the water off the brush using a rotating motion. Paint should not remain on the end of the metal fastener.
5. Use your fingers to shape the bristly part of the brush back to its original shape, forming the tip.
6. Put the brush down and let it dry on its own. Do not use a heater or hair dryer!