Secrets of drawing by numbers. Draw pictures by numbers on canvas or cardboard

The following tips will help you paint a picture in such a way that you can be proud of your work, and at the end of coloring it will hardly be possible to guess that the picture is drawn in this way (by numbers). The process itself can be divided into several stages. We will try to reveal to you the main secrets of this creation and feel like a real artist.

Paint preparation

Before you start painting, you need to carefully prepare the paint. The whole point is that the paints do not require any mixing to obtain the desired shade and effect: everything is already completely ready and numbered, as the manufacturer took care of this in advance! In our paint sets, the paints are perfectly matched in terms of colors and presented in the right quantity so that your future masterpiece is guaranteed to be similar to the original, or maybe even better ;-) It all depends on you!

Opening vials

Open paint bottles carefully, without using force - this can damage the bottle. To prevent the 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, an outlined canvas, a control sheet, a glass of water, a piece of cloth and matches for stirring 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 fill in the contour lines. It is considered normal if dark paint paints better than light paint. If the outlines or numbers show through, paint over them several times.

How to properly hold a brush

Hold the brush like a pen. For stability, put 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 in which paintings are drawn. There are several drawing techniques:

You can draw a picture in a line-by-line manner, from the top of the picture to the bottom.

However, you can achieve the best result if you paint with the back-to-fore method, first painting in the background and then 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: paint a picture by numbers or by colors? Empirically and empirically (Attention: such conclusions are made by "practitioners" and are not official recommendations from the manufacturer), two options have been identified by some users:

1) In the sequence of numbering 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 color 15 contours, and with paint No. 2, ten contours.

From a larger total area of ​​the contours, which must be painted over 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 in case of an error in coloring, it is much more difficult to paint dark segments with light paint than light segments with dark paint. In other words, to paint over a dark segment with white paint, you need more layers and vice versa: you can paint over a light segment with dark paint in one layer, i.e. much easier.

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

Note 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 on the elements of the picture that you would like to emphasize. 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. Additional care is not required. If desired, a week after the painting has dried, you can cover its surface with a special varnish for paintings. Glossy varnish will enhance the brightness of colors, and matte varnish will remove glare. Varnish can be purchased in special stores for artists and craftsmen.

By placing a picture in an appropriate beautiful frame, it will become a real masterpiece! To preserve the effect of the picture, you do not need to place it under glass. You can decorate your picture with a regular frame from self-service stores or with an exquisite frame from specialty stores or art galleries. The picture will look great without a frame if you additionally paint the end parts. Just continue drawing "around the corner" of the canvas, onto the end of the stretcher and hang as it is.

Secrets of using paints

To draw without problems, you must follow the rule of using paints. This is extremely important!

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 pack fast-drying paints in such a small volume (about 3 ml) so that they can be stored for a long time. Once they have been opened, the paint can dry. Therefore, the amateur artist should complete the painting as soon as possible after opening the paint cans.

Rule 2

Using a brush, remove adhering paint from the lid back into the jar. Boxes in a store or warehouse could be stored upright. Therefore, when opening the jar, a little paint may be on the lid.

Rule 3

Although the ink containers are tightly closed and specially designed to retain all the properties of the ink, the ink in them may thicken slightly during storage due to, for example, temperature fluctuations. To "revive" the paints and use them again, just add a couple of drops of water to them and mix thoroughly. The colors are ready to use again!

Rule 4

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

Rule 5

If you want to take a break from work, tightly close the containers, having previously removed traces of liquid or already dried paint from the lid itself, from the edges of the lid and from the sealing grooves of the lid.

Figures A and B show the principle

In Figure A, the container is airtight because the edges of the container fit into the clean sealing grooves in the lid. The lid seals tightly to the edges of the jar.

In figure B, the jar is incorrectly closed. It can be seen that the remnants of the paint do not allow the lid to close tightly. Therefore, air entering the container dries out the paint. Therefore, thoroughly clean each jar before closing it. Remove paint residue from the edge of the container with a fingernail or cloth, and round sealing grooves with a toothpick or large needle. Make sure the rim and lid are clean before closing the jar.

Rule 6

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

Rule 7

After each break in painting, the viscosity of the paints needs to be adjusted a little to ensure its proper application. After all, paints contain water, which quickly evaporates from open containers. Therefore, the colors are slightly thickened. But this is easy to fix: add a few drops of water and mix thoroughly.

Brush care secrets

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

The most common mistakes:

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

2. Never clean the brush with harsh chemicals.

3. Never use a brush to stir paint.

4. Don't use your fingernails to scrape off dried paint.

Proper care:

Keep out of reach of children - contains small parts!

In the process of preparing the article, information from the sites was used:

http://picaso.by/story/sovety-po-raskrashivaniyu, http://kartina123.ru/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=5

Like other types of creativity, painting by numbers is a fascinating process that helps to disconnect from external fuss, feel peace of mind and fill with the energy of creation.
A little time will pass and the sea or river banks connected by beautiful bridges, a sophisticatedly elegant girl or a golden evening sunset will appear on the canvas. Reflections on the water will sparkle, emerald grasses will bend from the wind, distant countries and cities will beckon with the magical magic of flowers ...

It is an inexpressible pleasure to feel like Leonardo da Vinci, Klimt, Monet or Van Gogh... But it's possible!

What is the secret of this magical charm of coloring pages? There are no secrets here. Your canvas canvas contains numbered areas. Carefully and accurately, you paint over these areas with paints in exact accordance with the numbers on the jar - patiently waiting for a miracle ...

Paint by number manufacturers

Which manufacturer of drawing kits to choose? You will not find a definite answer in this article. It would be wrong to advise you. Choose your coloring according to the plot (landscape, portrait or still life). Choose what you want to draw in the end. What do you like more -
coloring on cardboard or canvas, with or without blending, you will only know in the process of coloring. By working on different materials, you enrich your creative experience and get new impressions.

Coloring by numbers can be bought on various bases - on cardboard and on canvas.

Leading manufacturers coloring pages on cardboard it is customary to consider such companies as SCHIPPER (Germany), PLAID (USA) and DIMENSIONS (USA).

In the SCHIPPER sets you will find bright, original scenes with paints of excellent glossy effect - you don't even need a top coat.

PLAID kits are finely detailed and difficult for beginners, requiring painstaking and patient work.

The DIMENSIONS sets are characterized by mixing colors and careful drawing of details, which gives the finished work the effect of a photograph.

Color by number company DIMENSIONS

Who is producing coloring by numbers on canvas?

These are mainly Chinese companies such as HOBBART, MENGLEI, ITESO, COLOR-KIT, PAINTBOY, SNOW WHITE.

Paint-by-numbers canvas kit by HOBBART

MENGLEI Drawing Set

Coloring by numbers company SNOW WHITE

There are no special differences between Chinese manufacturers. Choose the plot you like and color. All Chinese kits are completed with paints in jars in vacuum packaging, except for HOBBART kits. In the latter, the paints are placed in sealed tubes, thanks to which it was possible to solve the problem with the drying of the paint! Sometimes different manufacturers have the same plots for drawing. In this case, information about the number of colors in the set will help you make a choice in favor of one or another manufacturer (the more colors, the more carefully the plot of the picture will be drawn).

Which painting to choose - on canvas or cardboard?

The age old beginner question. Various manufacturers offer coloring pages either on cardboard or canvas, with or without a stretcher.

Coloring pages on cardboard

It is very convenient to draw on cardboard, so it will be easier to learn on cardboard-based sets, because the borders and color numbers are clearly visible. The paint lays down evenly on the cardboard and is perfectly absorbed, the drawing is bright and fresh. To give volume to your work, some segments need to be painted over with several layers.

It is easy to pick up ready-made photo frames for coloring pages on a cardboard basis.

Coloring on canvas

Painting by numbers on a canvas, at first glance, seems to be a more complicated process. Since the canvas is a fabric, the strokes will not lay down as smoothly as on cardboard, and the paint will be absorbed unevenly. You may need to apply several layers of paint, which will give some volume to the picture, and the color on the canvas will turn out to be deeper and more saturated. But when working with a canvas, you will get an indescribable pleasure, the further you draw, the more exciting this process will seem to you. And the result will be excellent, like a picture of a real artist. Try it and you will forever remain a fan of this genre!

The canvas in the painting sets is rolled up or already fixed on a stretcher. This is a very important point, because the stretcher is the basis for stretching the canvas. The thickness of the paintings on the canvas is much greater precisely due to the stretcher.

For some manufacturers, such as MENGLEI and HOBBART, the subframe in the kit is disassembled or not always provided in the kit (in this case, it can be picked up at a frame shop or art store). In the event that the stretcher is disassembled, studs are supplied separately in the kit, with the help of which the canvas is fixed on the stretcher.

Let's talk briefly how to assemble a subframe. The slats of the stretcher must be inserted into each other's puzzles, and then outline the location of the canvas. To do this, lay the canvas on a flat surface with the pattern up, and put a stretcher on top of it. Then mark with a pencil (on the back of the canvas!) All 4 of its corners.

To better stretch the canvas on the stretcher, you can moisten it with a damp cloth, then turn the pattern down, and put the stretcher on top.

After that, you can attach the canvas to the stretcher with the studs supplied in the kit. And this step should be done correctly. First, it's easier to wrap canvas around one side of the stretcher and drive in studs around the edges and in the center. Then you should stretch the canvas on the opposite side of the stretcher and fix it again with studs. Do the same with the remaining two sides of the subframe.

Don't forget to set aside 4 studs to secure the corners! It is better to fix the corners at the very end.

The canvas painting can be hung on the wall right away because it looks great even without a frame. You can simply paint the canvas from the ends to make the picture look complete - paint while continuing the main drawing. If desired, you can arrange a picture in a baguette.

What is included in the drawing kits?

So, you have chosen a plot for coloring. Let's see what the paint by numbers kit consists of.

All sets without exception include:

1. Canvas or cardboard with a pattern and numbers printed on it.
2. Numbered paint jars.
3. One to three brushes, depending on the set.
4. Instruction.
5. Checklist for verification.
6. The canvas coloring kit includes a mount.

An example of the packaging of one of the PAINTBOY sets

Reverse side of the package with instructions in Russian and English

Open the drawing kit and start creating. What is so simple? Yes, it's that simple. Numbers are written on the jars of paints, they correspond to the numbers of the applied contours in the picture.

Footnotes with numbers show the colors of the coloring of small details.

Basic materials and tools for drawing

About paints

Most coloring by numbers, both on canvas and on cardboard, are completed with acrylic paints. We must not forget that such paints dry very quickly. Be sure to close the paint jars tightly after painting! If the paint dries, it will not be possible to wash off and dilute it in a jar.

Acrylic paints are non-toxic, resistant to light, very bright, completely ready for use. Paints in a jar must be mixed before staining. If the paint looks too thick, then you can always dilute it with a drop of water and mix it a little, or use a special thinner for acrylic paints, which is purchased separately.

Earlier it was noted that in the HOBBART kits, the paints are poured into tubes. They come with empty jars with tight lids and stickers with the color number of each paint.

Before you start painting, mark the jar with a sticker, then open the tube and squeeze a small amount of paint into the jar. You can always add paint to the jar as needed. Paints in tubes are stored much better and longer.

Make sure that the markings on the tube and jar match! This will help you not to mix up the colors in the process of drawing!

If all areas of work indicated by one number are painted over sequentially, then the paint will not dry out ahead of time. Sometimes it happens that numbers and contours show through the light colors of colors. You can paint over these areas with a second coat to paint over them.

Remember, light and transparent brilliant colors are applied in several layers.

You can pre-paint over the numbers and contours with white paint and only then with the desired color. In this way, translucent numbers and contours will also be hidden.

brushes

The kits on cardboard include one brush. In sets on canvas - two, three or more, depending on the size of the picture (several thin round brushes of different sizes and a small flat brush). The brushes are always synthetic. It is convenient to draw small details with round thin brushes, and large areas of the background with flat ones.

Brushes after work have to be washed very carefully, because if the acrylic paint has dried up, the brush can no longer be washed with any solvent.

To make the brush last longer, rinse it in water as often as possible, even if you paint with the same color. Rinse the bristle of the brush well and remove the dried paint at the base of the bristle. These simple tricks will help you keep your brush in good quality throughout the painting process.

Do you need varnish?

The varnish will protect the brightness of the colors of your painting from exposure to sunlight, give completeness and professionalism to your work.

Lacquer for the final design of the picture, matte or glossy, is purchased separately.

A picture painted with acrylic paints does not need to be varnished. However, if you are going to place the painting on a heavily lit wall, a matte acrylic varnish will keep the painting's colors vibrant for a long time. In order to add completeness to the painted picture, it is better to cover it with a glossy varnish.

All the subtleties of the coloring process

Positive emotions from coloring, comparable only to visiting an art gallery and the joy of communicating with masterpieces of painting, would be impossible without knowing some of the moments that accompany the creation of paintings by numbers.

Mixing paints

If you do not need to mix paints in your set, you paint the picture with ready-made paints of the desired color, comparing their numbers with the details of the picture. But some manufacturers suggest you mix paints to get subtle shades. These are Dimensions (USA), KSG (UK), Royal & Langnickel (UK) and many others.

Definitely, when mixing colors, each artist gets his own, unique shades. This is a great example of the individualization of paintings, great opportunities for creative experiments!

Difficulty level

If internally you are not yet ready for experiments with shades, you should pay attention to the complexity of the execution of the canvas. Difficulty is indicated on the box with asterisks: the more stars, the more difficult the work, the more small details, and the more time you have to spend on coloring.

Five stars, for example, is a canvas of high complexity. Four stars mean that there are many small segments on the canvas, etc.

Beginners and people with low vision should, for starters, choose sets with two or three stars.

HOBBART set with three stars

For children, coloring pages with one or two stars and a small size are more suitable so that the child has time to finish coloring before he gets tired.

Let's start drawing!

A special workplace for work is not required. You can use a floor or tabletop easel, a smooth table surface, or simply paint your set in your hands, as long as you feel comfortable.

The coloring kits come with everything you need, the only thing you need is newspaper or tablecloth to protect the surface, a cup of water, a palette to mix paints (if your coloring choice is to mix) and patience.

Instructions for a coloring set without mixing paints are not needed. You just take a jar of paint of any number, find this color in the picture and start painting with any strokes, at any speed, as you think is most convenient. The main thing - do not let the paints dry in the jar!

Over time, you will develop your own coloring style. Pictures can be painted in any way:

• by numbers, starting with paint No. 1, 2 and further;
• by color, starting with light and then darker;
• from the top left corner;
• from anywhere in the picture.

Check your steps against the attached checklist and the sample of the finished work that you will find on the box of your kit.

Of course, the painting you make may differ from the original in the manufacturer's photograph. But maybe that's where creativity lies. After all, you can always add something of your own to the coloring - and the result will be beautiful in any case!

Job storage

Special storage of work in the process of coloring is not required. If you can't finish your work just yet, simply put all the components of the kit into the box, first dropping a little water on the surface of each paint (do not stir it!!!) and tightly close the jars. Acrylic paints can be stored for up to several months if protected from moisture and temperature changes. But do not delay the completion of the work for years, if the acrylic paints completely dry out, then it will not be possible to restore them. You will have to complete the paintings with a simple selection of colors in an art store.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes while coloring. To prevent this, the kits always include a checklist with which you can always check which paint to use. If you do paint with the wrong paint, just wait for it to dry completely and thickly apply a different color of paint on top of it.

And, of course, think in advance about the place where your painting will be located at the end of the work. How will the piece harmonize with your interior and its elements?

The picture is ready and can be decorated with a suitable frame or, if your picture is painted on canvas, just hang it on the wall. The decorated picture will undoubtedly become an attractive decoration of your interior, it will never cease to amaze your friends and relatives. And it can also be an original gift to your loved ones!

To prevent sudden changes in humidity and temperature from deforming the stretcher and weakening the tension of the canvas, store the picture only in a dry place at room temperature.

Having tried to paint a picture by numbers, you will feel like a professional artist! Even if it is only one picture, you will definitely have a reason to be proud!

"Cross" will not advise bad! :)

1) Rules and sequence of drawing

2) Rules for the use of paints

3) Rules for the care of brushes

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

Drawing Sequence Rules

Paint preparation

Before you start painting, you need to carefully prepare the paint. It is important to note that no mixing of paints is required to obtain the desired shade and effect: everything is already completely ready and numbered, as the manufacturer took care of this in advance! In our kits, the paints are perfectly matched in color and presented in the right quantity so that your future masterpiece is guaranteed to be similar to the original.

Pay attention to the 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 paint color, respectively, these paints have the same number. So the numbering sequence looks like this:

Opening vials

Open paint bottles carefully, without using force - this may damage the bottle. To prevent the 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, an outlined canvas, a control sheet, a glass of water, a piece of cloth and matches for stirring 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 fill in the contour lines. It is considered normal if dark paint paints better than light paint. If the outlines or numbers show through, paint over them several times.

How to hold a brush

Hold the brush like a pen. For stability, put 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 in which paintings are drawn. There are several drawing techniques:

1) You can draw a picture with a line-by-line method, from the top edge of the picture to the bottom.

2) However, you can achieve a better result if you paint in the "background to front" method, first painting the objects in the background and then 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: paint a picture by numbers or by colors? Empirically and empirically (Attention: such conclusions are made by "practitioners" and are not official recommendations from the manufacturer), two options have been identified by some users:

1) In the sequence of numbering 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 color 15 contours, and with paint No. 2, ten contours.
from a larger total area of ​​the contours, which must be painted over 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 in case of an error in coloring, it is much more difficult to paint dark segments with light paint than light segments with dark paint. In other words, in order to paint over a dark segment with white paint, more layers are needed and vice versa: you can paint over 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-numbers technique. Various combinations and alternations of techniques and techniques are also possible, which provides us with an infinite number of options. In other words, you are absolutely not limited by anything, except for your imagination, desires and skills. You should not 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 picture, paint over the unshaded areas and translucent numbers. As in art galleries, you need to look at the picture and evaluate it from a distance of 2-3 meters.

Note 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 on the elements of the picture that you would like to emphasize. 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. Additional care is not required. If desired, a week after the painting has dried, you can cover its surface with a special varnish for paintings. Glossy varnish will enhance the brightness of colors, and matte varnish will remove glare. Varnish can be purchased in special stores for artists and craftsmen.

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

Rules for the use of paints

To draw without problems, you must follow the rule of 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 pack fast drying paints in such a small volume (about 3 ml) so that they can be stored in a store for a long time. However, once they have been opened, the paint can 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 adhering paint from the lid back into the jar. Boxes in a store or warehouse could be stored upright. Therefore, when opening the jar, a little paint may be on the lid.

Rule 3

Although the ink containers are tightly closed and specially designed to retain all the properties of the ink, the ink in them may thicken slightly during storage due to, for example, temperature fluctuations. To "revive" the paints and use them again, just add a couple of drops of water to them and mix thoroughly. The colors are ready to use again!

Rule 4

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

Rule 5

If you want to take a break from work, tightly close the containers, having previously removed traces of liquid or already dried paint from the lid itself, from the edges of the lid and from the sealing grooves of the lid.

Figures A and B show the principle:

In Figure A, the container is airtight because the edges of the container fit into the clean sealing grooves in the lid. The lid seals tightly to the edges of the jar.

In figure B, the jar is incorrectly closed. It can be seen that the remnants of the paint do not allow the lid to close tightly. Therefore, air entering the container dries out the paint. Therefore, thoroughly clean each jar before closing it. Remove paint residue from the edge of the container with a fingernail or cloth, and round sealing grooves with a toothpick or large needle. Make sure the rim and lid are clean before closing the jar.

Rule 6

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

Rule 7

After each break in painting, the viscosity of the paints needs to be adjusted a little to ensure its proper application. After all, paints contain water, which quickly evaporates from open containers. Therefore, the colors are slightly thickened. But this is easy to fix: add a few drops of water and mix thoroughly.

Brush care rules

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

The most common mistakes:

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

2. Never clean the brush with harsh chemicals.

3. Never use a brush to stir paint.

4. Don't use your fingernails to scrape off dried paint.

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

1. After painting, immediately wipe off the 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 with a twisting motion. Paint must not remain on the end of the metal fastener.

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

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

The most important rule is not to be afraid! Color with pleasure - Everything will turn out! Good luck coloring and shopping!

All children love to draw. But if they can do it directly, without caring about how others will appreciate their work, then adults are more suspicious people in this regard. Do you love and want to draw, but are embarrassed by your "clumsy" creativity? Try coloring pictures by numbers! The technique of coloring by numbers will make you feel like a real artist - even if you don’t know how to draw at all.

What is a coloring kit? It includes the actual painting (canvas), a control chart in case you are afraid to mess something up, a set of brushes and acrylic paints. The colors are numbered so you can be sure you can't go wrong with the tone.

There are kits that offer you pre-numbered shades, but there are also kits that require you to mix the shades. This is an even more creative process, so you can show your talent as an artist-decorator more fully and vividly.

Here is the set for you. From which side to approach it? If you want to master coloring by numbers, the instructions from the Schweiprofi online store will help you!

First, choose a place where you will create. Ideally, this should be a well-lit table or, if you like, an easel on an open sunny terrace. Make sure that the light will fall on the entire canvas, illuminating it evenly. Now cover the place of work with newspapers so that after the act of creation you do not have to wash everything - you never know what can happen. Acrylic paints dry very quickly, and it's not so easy to wash them off afterwards! Remember this - try not to stain your hands and clothes with paints.

Put the canvas in front of you, put the paints, lay out the brushes. Prepare also a glass of water and, if required, a palette. An ordinary flat plate can also serve as a palette. You will also need a rag to wipe the washed brushes, and if the paints need to be mixed, then matches or toothpicks.

When you color pictures by numbers, the coloring technique is different from the usual coloring with felt-tip pens or pencils. It is convenient to first select one color and paint over all areas, and then only move on to another color.

So choose one of the colors. Carefully examine the picture to find all the areas that belong to this color. Choose a paint. Using brushes of different sizes, carefully paint all areas with the selected shade. Small surfaces are painted over with small brushes, and large surfaces are first outlined along the contour with a thin brush, and then painted over with a thick one. The amount of paint in the set is calculated in such a way that you paint over the surface well. Light shades are sometimes transparent, so feel free to go over the surface a second and third time so that the contours and numbers are not visible.

When you're done with one color, rinse your brush thoroughly so the colors don't mix. And then start painting with a different color, the brush should dry before that.

How to alternate colors? Practitioners believe that it is better to go from the lightest shade to the darkest. Why? Because in case of an error, it is more difficult to paint over a light area with a dark pigment than a dark area with a light one.

Acrylic paints dry very quickly, so there is no need to take long breaks between painting with different shades. It is important to make sure that the paint jar is tightly closed when you are not using it, otherwise it will dry out. For the same reason, you should not leave a brush in a jar of paint.

Paint by numbers- a great opportunity to realize your creative potential even without special artistic training. All you need is a ready-made paint-by-numbers kit that comes in one set!

Briefly about the main thing:

Color by number - prices and where to buy

Prices for paintings by numbers range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. Why such a big price difference? In fact, there are a lot of factors that affect the price - this is the size of the canvas, the complexity of the pattern, the type of picture (canvas / cardboard), the completeness of the package, the brand.

Where is the best place to buy coloring by numbers?

It is best to buy paintings for coloring by numbers where they buy our local stores - on Aliexpress. There you can not only buy a coloring book at the lowest prices, but also choose a more suitable version of the picture - the choice on Ali is simply huge - about 23,000 options!

Link to the drawing by numbers section on Aliexpress: http://ru.aliexpress.com/

Return part of the money from each purchase in online stores! In the return base - already 788 stores from all over the CIS

• Aliexpress - 5% back on every purchase
• L'Etoile - refund of 150 rubles with an order amount of more than 900 rubles
• BonPrix - 5% refund if the order amount is more than 500 r

What is included in the standard set of painting by numbers for coloring

Coloring by numbers are sold in sets - small sets of all the accessories that are needed to create a complete picture. The complete set of the set may differ slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, the most standard set consists of the following items:

• Canvas or cardboard with the contours of the drawing applied to them and cells with color numbers
• Paints in numbered jars, sometimes tubes with different colors (from 14 to 36)
• Paint brushes - from one to three, depending on the set
• Checklist for Checking Numbers
• Instruction
• A box of the whole set with an image of how the picture should turn out. This is another way to check if the drawing is correct.
• Canvas mounts
• Sometimes the canvas comes separately, not stretched over the frame. Then a canvas frame is also included

More about set items

Canvas

Canvas is a fabric, the basis on which the paint by numbers. This is one of the two basic canvases for painting by numbers.

Canvas Advantages:

• this is a more professional type of creativity - when drawing, you get the feeling that you are a real artist
• Canvas on a stretcher has a more three-dimensional look and can be hung on the wall without a frame (gallery way)
• The canvas is practically not affected by humidity and air temperature.

Disadvantages of painting canvas:

• The canvas has a grainy canvas texture, so it can be a little difficult for beginners to apply paint at first.
• The canvas flexes a little on the stretcher, so it's best to paint the picture in an upright position, on a stand or easel
• If there is a desire to make a frame, an ordinary photo frame will not work, since the canvas on the stretcher has a relatively large thickness
• Coloring by numbers on canvas is more expensive than on cardboard

Cardboard

Cardboard is the second option for the basis for drawing by numbers. Has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

• It is easier for beginners to draw on cardboard, as it does not flex.
• Paints fit better on cardboard, you can paint in one layer
• It is easy to choose a frame for a cardboard picture - you can take a regular photo frame
• Cardboard base is cheaper

Flaws:

• The cardboard picture is affected by moisture and temperature and may "curl" over time. It almost needs to be framed.
• Without a frame, it looks unfinished, like a regular painted sheet.

Paint by numbers- an example of a cardboard base. Please note that there is no graininess:

As a rule, acrylic paints are included in special numbered jars or tubes. The number of colors is different, from 14 to 36. Why exactly acrylic paints are used - the thing is that they have unique qualities - acrylic is absolutely non-toxic, such paints have a very bright and saturated color, they are resistant to light and fit well on any surface! Acrylic paints also dry very quickly, so be sure to close the jars of paints - if they dry out, it will not be possible to dilute.

Paint brushes

The sets come from one brush to three or more, depending on the type of surface and the complexity of the canvas. For cardboard colorings, one brush usually goes, for paintings by numbers on canvas- two or three. At the same time, two brushes are thin and round - for drawing lines and small segments, and one flat - for drawing large segments. The brush material is usually synthetic.

Brushes after painting and between color changes should be thoroughly washed so that the paint does not dry out.

Brushes for painting by numbers. Pay attention - two of them are thin and sharp, and one is wide:

Drawing by numbers - subtleties and what you need to know

Drawing difficulty

Paint-by-number makers usually use a five-star system of difficulty: 1 star is the easiest level to paint, 5 stars is the hardest. Purchase Recommendations - For children, it is best to buy coloring pages with a difficulty level of 1-2 stars and a small size. For a beginner adult, it is better to buy a painting with a difficulty level of 3 stars and eventually move up to 4-5.

Drawing technique

Drawing is primarily a creative process and in principle you can draw as you want.

However, there are a few tips to make the process easier and simpler:

1. Try to paint the sectors with numbers in the corresponding colors from top to bottom, this reduces the risk of smearing paints with your sleeve (if you draw randomly or from bottom to top)
2. It is best to paint over the cells first with only one color, wait until the paint dries and then proceed to the next color.
3. If you draw on canvas- you can paint with two or three layers, so the color saturation will become even higher!
4. If you made a mistake with the color number and the sector in the picture - it's not scary, just wait until the first "erroneous" layer dries and apply the correct one on top of it
5. In order to avoid mistakes, periodically refer to the control sheet and the finished version on the front side of the kit box.
6. Small sectors can be marked with remote color numbers with a stroke linking the paint and the sector. Keep it in mind
7. After painting, the paints must be tightly closed so that they do not dry out. Before closing, you can add a few drops of water to the surface of the paint - but do not stir!
8. Brushes should be thoroughly washed after drawing in water and dipped with a cloth. Do not let the paint dry on the brush - then you will not wash it off.
9. Brilliant paints need to be applied in several layers - as they are much worse applied to the surface
10. If you want to make the paint thicker and more liquid, you can use water or special thickeners and thinners. Sometimes they come with paints.

How to store a painting by numbers and do I need a frame?

If the picture is not finished yet, it can be stored in a box from under the whole set. But after you finish drawing, most likely you will want to hang your creation on the wall. There are a few tricks here. In order for the picture to shine better in a room where there is not enough light, you can apply a glossy acrylic varnish to the canvas. And if the room is vice versa - there is too much light - you can apply matte acrylic varnish, it will remove excess shine and preserve the original colors of the picture.

Also, for the picture, most likely it will be necessary to make a frame. For a picture on canvas, of course, you can do without it - since the canvas is already stretched over a three-dimensional frame. But for color by number a frame on cardboard is required - you can buy it at any office (photo frame), or make it to order - if the picture has a non-standard size.

This is interesting: The history of the invention of paintings by numbers

Painting by numbers is a relatively recent invention. They were invented by two people in America in the 50s of the twentieth century. The first was a talented artist - Dan Robins, the second - an entrepreneur from Detroit (Michigan) Max Klein. The latter had his own production of paints in this city. The advent of coloring by numbers is a classic example of the collaboration between a good artist and an enterprising businessman. The first copy of coloring by numbers went on sale in 1951 under the Craft Master brand. The first sets of paintings drawn by Dan Robins consisted of a canvas, a set of paints and two brushes. Success was not long in coming - sales grew and already in 1954 sales reached a value of 12 million copies sold! Paintings with landscapes, images of domestic animals and religious subjects were especially popular then. Each package was decorated with the slogan:

Everyone is a Rembrandt!