Here are the top 10 artist tips to help you create your work. These tips are intended primarily for our experienced artist clients who have already painted at least one canvas, but you can consider them from the beginning if you wish!
10 - HOW TO AVOID SEEING THE NUMBERS THROUGH THE PAINTING
Mostly, the numbers can not be seen through paint, but this can happen with very light colors. The magic solution? Color the numbers with a white pencil!
Find the numbers for the lightest colors on your canvas, and color those numbers with your white pencil before painting. You will see a great result!
9 - GESSO TRANSPARENT: GET A BETTER ADHESION OF THE PAINT
Gesso Transparent brings extra roughness to the canvas, allowing acrylic or oil paint to stick better.
This fabric preparer is transparent (Clear Gesso or Clear Gesso in English), optimizing the canvas's adhesion without affecting the visibility of the numbers and areas to paint!
Therefore, it is ideal to apply it on your canvas and let everything dry for at least 24 hours.
8 - FLUIDIFIER: MAKE THE PAINT MORE LIQUID OR REVIVE DRY PAINT
Some people prefer their paint to be less thick and easier to handle.
Acrylic paints are soluble in water, so you can usually get by with a few drops.
However, for the most complex paints, you can optimize the fluidity of these with a fluidizer. Order your acrylic paint fluidizer now!
7 - SUPPORT - HOW TO STABILIZE YOUR CANVAS IN COMPLETE MOBILITY
Drawing boards can also be handy for painting by numbers! They bring a large flat surface on which you can hold your canvases.
Once placed, fastened, or clipped onto the support panel, you can bring your canvas wherever you feel comfortable to paint.
Inside or outside, in your garage or living room, paint where you want!
We offer A3-size drawing boards, A2 drawing boards, and small, easy-to-use easels for organizing your canvas and frame.
6 - BE SMART WITH YOUR EXTRA PAINT
After finishing your canvas, you often have excess paint, mostly in garbage.
Our paints are non-toxic and harmless to the environment. However, we strongly suggest not spoiling this painting and using it between two paint-by-numbers to train on a blank canvas. This way, you can see your progress and express your creativity without being limited by zones and numbers! You can now order your blank stretched canvas ready to use.
5 - DIGITAL SOLUTIONS: HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR SIGHT
Some customers find the numbers too small, affecting their reading and painting experience.
However, having paint by numbers with small areas also allows you to obtain a more detailed and beautiful job, so limiting our paintings to large areas of color is tricky.
Rather than providing a magnifying glass, which would be impractical, we recommend that you take a picture of your canvas before starting the painting.
This way, during your creation, you can return to this photo via your smartphone or tablet while zooming in on smaller areas!
4 - MODELING GLASSES: BETTER VISIBILITY OF THE NUMBERS
As noted in the last tip, some customers find the numbers too small, affecting the ease of reading and their paint experience.
However, having paint by numbers with small areas also allows you to obtain a more detailed and beautiful job, so limiting our paintings to large areas of color is tricky.
In addition to replacing the "digital" solution described in Tip 5, we recommend using our magnifying glasses for paint-by-numbers with integrated LED lighting.
This is the traditional solution artisans or model makers have used to do precision work since the dawn of time! Order your pair of prescription glasses!
3- PLEATED CANVAS: HOW TO SMOOTH THE WRINKLES OF A CANVAS
The wrinkles on the canvas are standard, especially after a rolled or folded canvas shipment.
Fortunately, just like the wrinkles on clothes coming out of the dryer, you can use your iron!
- Ironing the canvas before applying the paint!
- Flip the canvas to iron with the iron against the back of it.
- Gradually increase the temperature of your iron without ever reaching Lin / Cotton (Canvases are usually linen, but the surface to be painted on has special treatment and an impression of numbered areas).
Be careful with the temperature of your iron!
2 - PAINTING ONE NUMBER AT A TIME: KEEPING YOUR PAINT WET
If you paint a single color at a time while making sure to close the jars between each application on the canvas, you will avoid exposing the paints to the air too long, and you will prevent drying your paint prematurely.
Before opening paint pots, there is no risk; everything is arranged so the paint is fresh when it arrives.
However, after opening, in case of prolonged exposure to air and, therefore, in case of partial drying of the pots, do not panic! We have the solution!
These paints are acrylic so that you can use a little water or professional acrylic fluids even more efficiently.
1- ZIGZAG: HOW TO FADE AND MANAGE TRANSITIONS
The Zig Zag technique is an advanced technique for professional painting by several painters.
The basic concept is to blur the transition areas between each color area for a more natural and realistic look. Indeed, we must remember that the numbered regions are there to guide you, but it is optional to follow them!
Painting is Art, and therefore, there are no rules! Express your creativity, and with practice, think outside the box to improve your work with some personal touches.
SUMMARY OF THE SHADING STEPS:
Initial step:
Paint by numbers, trying to get a smooth look without strokes and with a relatively thin layer of paint. Stay calm if the numbers are still visible through the painting because additional layers are expected to get the final result.
Final step:
Follow the Zig Zag method on transition areas to create realistic and breathtaking gradients!
The purpose of the maneuver is to blur a transition zone between two colors by painting a Zig Zag shape and crossing both colors. The example introduction of the video is a test with green and brown. We begin with brown oblique brush strokes on the green zone, then continue with oblique but opposite green brushstrokes towards the brown area. Using a clean brush, it is then a question of "mixing" the size of Zig Zag delicately to create a beautiful blurring gradually. Never fade through your meeting too far from the Zig Zag area. Clean your brush regularly with a piece of fabric during this shading phase for an even more precise result.
Congratulations, you are now a confirmed painter who knows how to master beautiful gradients! Like any discipline of Art, good results come with training and time—no need to rush thinking about the results, focusing only on your final canvas. You may not appreciate the moment, won’t be satisfied with your work, and waste your time. Focus on the process of painting, acquiring technique, and experience rather than on the outcome. If you apply yourself and take your time, you will always be satisfied with the incredible result of your hard work.
