Although many consider paint by numbers cheating, they’re wrong. Art takes many forms, from painting to raw form, like sculpting. There’s no cheating to be done where there is an artist involved. So, is painting by numbers cheating? Do some people find paint by numbers easy? Or do they truly appreciate art? Let’s delve into some hidden truths about painting.
What is Paint By Numbers?
If you’ve heard of paint by numbers before, but never challenged yourself, try not to get confused. Essentially, every paint by numbers kit comes with the basics, i.e. paints, brushes, and pre-drawn canvas. But, the kits only come with one set of each. So, if you lose anything or mess up badly, you’d have to buy another kit. You see, that’s the beauty of painting by numbers. There’s no such thing as making mistakes or ruining your painting. All blips can be easily restored. The idea of the kits is to help beginner artists, or those with slightly less experience, to better their work and boost their confidence in painting.
Cheating in Art: Can it Be Done?
Whoever said cheating in art could be done, was wrong. All artists are unique, no matter their experience. Some use painting by numbers to help them develop and progress, while others use them as the baseline for their masterpiece. After all, you are still painting a picture – and creating something beautiful depends on your commitment to art itself.
In essence, paint by numbers kits come with pre-drawn canvases that signify a meaning personal to the artist – just like every other piece of art. Though your painting may be sketched by somebody else, you chose that particular painting for a reason: whether that be something personal to you or just something you love. The point is, without your brush and paints, the canvas would still display a sketch. Again, sketch work is still a form of art, but with no color. You add that to the painting. As an artist, you bring the painting to life.
Is Paint By Numbers Cheating?
Despite the common thread, paint by numbers isn’t cheating. Without skills and a keen eye for art, you’d be stuck with a pre-drawn canvas and no color at all. But, a painting is what you make it. You can choose to follow the step-by-step guide in your kit and still create something beautifully unique. Or you could learn new tricks along the way, like blending your paints. By blending your paints into a subtle fade, you really will bring your painting to life and prove that you can add your own twist to painting by numbers.
How Painting By Numbers Works
Experienced and beginner painters dabble with paint by numbers kits as they have everything they need to complete the painting. But there’s also the instructions, if they struggle. Here’s a brief run-through of how painting by numbers works:
- Pick your paint by numbers kit.
Either go simple, or challenge yourself to something more complex.
- Each painting is marked into sections and numbered.
For example, 1 – 10 if there are ten sections, or 1 – 50 if there are fifty sections.
- Unpack your kit and lay everything out.
- Look through your instructions if you’re new to painting by numbers.
- Start at the beginning (section 1) and find the matching color.
- Load your brush, and get painting!
It really is simple, even for beginners. But, you don’t have to stick to just what’s in the kit. You can add your own twist to the painting, if you’re confident that you know what you’re doing.
You can also try blending your acrylics to make your artwork stand out. And better yet, you can come back to different sections and take your time. There’s no rush.
What Makes Someone An Artist?
Art conveys an intimacy that no words can comprehend. It communicates for us in many different ways, and only those who appreciate fine art will understand the true message behind a painting. More importantly, art isn’t just paintings of portraits and landscapes – there’s more to art than that. An artist is someone with a hidden talent. A person who can convey a message without speaking. A true artist is someone who seeks to improve their work, no matter how beautiful it looks.
Paint By Numbers Easy: Creating Beautiful Art
Painting by numbers isn’t cheating – it’s still painting, just in numbered sections. Your skills as an artist depend on your ability to create an image that your audience will understand and appreciate. Not just your ability to create something pretty and easy to look at. There are plenty of easy paint by numbers kits to choose from, all of which will help you create beautiful and unique art. And remember, in the hands of unique artists, no two paintings are the same.
Here are a few top picks:
Just Paint By Number: Colorful Butterfly
The Colorful Butterfly kit can be found in the children’s section, but isn’t just for kids. The kit itself comes with all the tools you need to complete the painting, including a picture of what the final piece should look like (for guidance). Be careful not to mix your masterpiece up with the original image, as you might not be able to tell the difference!
Crafty Arts: Harbor at Sunrise
The Harbor at Sunrise is a picture you’d expect to see hanging in a gallery. With this kit, you get the chance to paint something thousands of people likely already have framed in their homes. The point is, you can practice and practice until your end piece looks the part. It’s not cheating if you paint it yourself, but be sure to use the instructions if you get stuck.
Just Paint By Number: Ocean Turtle
Another super simple but stunning paint by numbers kit is the Ocean Turtle by Just Paint By Number. Again, you’ll find this in the children’s section, but a lot of beginner artists have bought and completed the painting using only the tools in the kit. You get the paintbrushes, paint pots, and pre-drawn canvas, as well as a picture of what your painting should look like. But, you can always add your own twist to the end piece.
DIYFirstPainting: Rocky Mountain National Park
Another gallery-worthy picture to paint is the Rocky Mountain National Park. But, this depends on how comfortable you are with painting by numbers. If you prefer, you could always go for something with less blending required, or just something super simple.
Just Paint By Number: Cute Fox
Last but not least, the Cute Fox kit by Just Paint By Number is a fantastic easy painting by numbers kit to buy. It’s just a few dollars online and comes with all the tools you need to complete the painting. And it’s an easy way of painting something gallery-worthy. Something that you can be proud of, no matter what your experience as an artist.
