When I paint a Petit Pinceau, I like to take my time, listen to a podcast, and watch the illustration emerge. But I also have a few little tricks to avoid spills, keep my brushes in shape, and enjoy the moment.
Here are my 12 tips for paint-by-numbers, whether you're just starting out or already have a few creations hanging in your home.
1. Start with a design that inspires you
For your first try, choose a design you like with fairly large areas. I especially recommend Flowers, Mimosa, Nuit Bleue, ST Barthélémy, Tigre fleuri, or Tout schuss. The goal is to enjoy painting, not to start with the fifty most complicated little windows in the catalog.
2. Set up in a well-lit area and wash your hands
It may seem obvious, but a smudge on the pretty white border can be frustrating. Clean hands, a clear table, a stable glass of water, and a cloth: you're ready to start. I like natural light, but a good desk lamp or magnifying lamp can also help. If possible, place it on the opposite side of your hand to minimize shadows.
3. Take a photo before you start painting
Photograph the canvas with the numbers clearly visible. If you accidentally cover a number, you can find the color on your photo. A few close-ups are useful for highly detailed designs.
4. It's generally best to paint from light to dark
A small spill of light paint is usually easier to cover with a dark color than the other way around. Starting with the light shades can therefore make touch-ups easier. It's a guideline, not a rule: the opacity of the paints also matters.
5. Find your own way of working
I prefer to paint color by color: all the spaces of one shade, then the next. This avoids changing pots constantly. You can also work area by area, to see a flower or a section of the landscape finished. Both ways work. Just remember to avoid leaving fresh paint under your hand.
6. Choose the right brush and don't overload it
The large brush for large areas, the fine brush for small details. With very little paint on the tip, the stroke is easier to control. And turn your canvas if necessary: it's better to move the paper than to contort yourself to follow a contour.
7. Keep your water clean and close your pots
Between two colors, rinse the brush and then blot it lightly: it should not be soaked in water. Change the water when it becomes very colorful, especially before light shades. Close the pots during breaks and clean their rims if the paint prevents the lid from closing properly.
8. Apply another thin coat if a number is still visible
There's no need to apply a thick layer to hide a number. Let it dry, then add a second thin coat. Also wait for one area to dry before painting the neighboring one if the two colors are likely to mix.
9. Sometimes paint the background before the details
On a facade, I sometimes like to paint the background by going over the little windows, then redo them once the background is dry. This works especially well with dark or highly opaque details. For light windows on a dark background, preserve their spaces. And keep your photo close at hand to find the markers!
10. Protect your borders with masking tape
I use masking tape to keep the white edges. Choose a paper tape with low adhesion, suitable for the canvas, and test it on a similar piece of paper. Remove it slowly, folding it back on itself. If you spill over into the design, let it dry and touch it up with the right color. On the white border, avoid rubbing or scratching: the paper can get damaged.
11. Don't let the brush sleep in the water
When you finish late, you may be tempted to leave everything for tomorrow. But the bristles pressed to the bottom of the glass are likely to become deformed. Rinse them without crushing them, then clean them with fresh water and mild soap if necessary. Reshape the tip and let it dry without supporting the bristles. A few minutes of maintenance will prevent you from painting details with a frayed brush.
12. Stop when you no longer enjoy it
If you start to tense up or lose patience, close the pots and resume tomorrow. Your Petit Pinceau should remain a moment for yourself. Once finished and dry, I like to look at the artist's illustration and add a few small details. You can do the same, or keep your creation just as it is.
The little questions we ask ourselves while painting
Should I follow the numbers in order?
No: they indicate the colors, not the order of the steps. Choose your own way of working.
How to hide a number or correct a mistake?
Let it dry, then apply another thin coat of the right color. A light shade over a dark one may require several coats.
Can I personalize my paint-by-numbers?
Yes, once the paint is dry. Start with small touches: a line, a pattern, or a detail inspired by the design.
What should I do if the brush has lost its tip?
Clean it, gently reshape the bristles, and let it dry. If it remains deformed, keep it for large areas and take a fine brush for details.
Choose a paint-by-numbers you like, get comfortable, and work at your own pace. There's nothing to finish before tonight. Just a moment to savor.
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