Yes. It’s one of the easiest art hobbies you can start. You match numbered sections on a canvas to numbered paint pots and fill them in. No drawing skills, no color theory, no artistic training needed. If you can stay mostly inside the lines, you can do this.
The whole system is designed for people who’ve never painted before. That’s literally the point.
Why Paint by Numbers Is So Easy
The hard parts are already done for you.
You don’t choose colors. Every color is pre-selected and pre-mixed. Open the pot, use the paint. No guessing, no mixing, no “does this shade look right?”
You don’t plan composition. Where things go, how they’re arranged, what the focal point is? Already decided. The design is printed right on your canvas.
You don’t worry about technique. Just fill in the sections. Brush strokes don’t need to be perfect. The numbered system hides any amateur mistakes.
Think of it like paint-by-numbers coloring books you did as a kid, but you’re using actual paint instead of crayons. The concept is identical. The results look way more impressive.
What Makes a Kit Beginner-Friendly
Not all paint by numbers kits are equally easy. Here’s what to look for when you’re just starting.
Larger Sections Bigger numbered areas are easier to paint. You can use broader brush strokes. Less precision required. Less eye strain too.
Tiny sections the size of a grain of rice? Save those for later when you’ve got experience.
Fewer Colors Beginner kits typically use 20-30 colors. Advanced kits might have 50+ colors. More colors mean more detail, but also more complexity and time.
Start simple. Browse beginner-friendly designs at Shomaz Brand with good color counts for first-timers.
Clear Contrast Designs with obvious color differences are easier. A sunset scene with distinct oranges, pinks, and purples? Easy to see what goes where.
Designs with 15 shades of blue that all look similar? Harder to distinguish. You’ll grab the wrong paint pot constantly.
Simple Subjects Landscapes, flowers, and animals with bold features work great for beginners. Abstract art with complex patterns? Maybe your third or fourth kit.
The Learning Curve (Spoiler: It’s Short)
Here’s what actually happens when you start your first kit.
First 30 Minutes: You’re figuring out which brush works best for which size sections. You’re learning how much paint to load on the brush. You might go outside the lines a few times.
Totally normal. You’ll adjust quickly.
Hours 1-3 You’ve found your rhythm. Dip the brush, paint section, move to next one. It becomes almost meditative. Your technique improves without you realizing it.
Hours 4+ You’re in the zone. Brush control is way better. You know exactly how the paint behaves. You’ve figured out your preferred painting strategy.
By the time you finish your first kit, you’re already decent at this. Your second kit? Even easier. You’ll breeze through it.
Common Beginner Concerns (And Why They Don’t Matter)
“I can’t draw.” You’re not drawing. The design is already printed on the canvas. You’re literally just coloring it in.
“I’m not artistic.” Doesn’t matter. The artist who designed the template did the artistic work. You’re following their instructions.
“What if I mess up?” Acrylic paint dries fast. If you paint the wrong color somewhere, let it dry and paint over it. Fixed. Nobody will ever know.
“I’ve never painted before.” Perfect. This is designed specifically for people who’ve never painted. That’s you.
“What if it looks bad?” It won’t. Follow the numbers, use the right colors, and it’ll look good. The system is foolproof.
Actual Challenges (And How to Handle Them)
Is paint by numbers easy? Yes, but here are the few tricky parts you might encounter.
Tiny Sections Some kits have detail areas with sections the size of your pinky nail. Use your finest brush and steady your hand. Go slow. It’s tedious, not difficult.
Similar Colors Paint 14 and paint 16 might look nearly identical. Check the number twice before painting. Keep the reference picture handy to verify.
Paint Consistency Some colors might be thicker or thinner than others. Thick paint? Add a tiny drop of water and mix. Thin paint? Let it sit open for a few minutes to thicken slightly.
Patience The only real challenge is sitting still long enough to finish. Some people struggle with that more than the actual painting part.
Solution? Paint in sessions. Do an hour tonight, an hour tomorrow. No rule says you have to finish in one sitting.
Time Investment for Beginners
Is paint by numbers easy in terms of time? Depends on the kit size and your pace.
Small kits (8″x10″): 3-6 hours total
Medium kits (16″x20″): 8-15 hours total
Large kits (24″x36″): 15-25 hours total
Most beginners paint 2-3 hours at a time. You’ll finish a medium kit in a week or two, painting a few evenings.
Skills You’ll Actually Learn
Even though paint by numbers is easy, you still pick up real painting skills.
Brush Control You learn how to hold a brush, how much pressure to apply, and how to make clean strokes. These are foundational painting skills.
Color Recognition You start noticing how different shades work together. How light and dark create depth. How colors transition.
Patience and Focus You can’t rush this. You learn to slow down, focus on one small task, and see it through.
Completion Finishing a painting, even a guided one, builds confidence. You started something and finished it. That matters.
These skills transfer to freehand painting if you ever want to try it. Many advanced painters started with paint by numbers to build comfort with brushes and paint.
Tips to Make It Even Easier
Start with good lighting. You need to see the numbers clearly. Natural daylight or a bright lamp makes everything simpler.
Organize your paints. Lay them out in numerical order. Saves time hunting for the right pot.
Work in sections. Complete one area of the painting before moving to another. Seeing finished sections motivates you to keep going.
Don’t stress perfection. Going slightly outside the lines won’t ruin anything. The overall image is what matters.
Take breaks. Your eyes get tired. Your hand cramps. Paint for an hour, step away, come back fresh.
Use a magnifying glass. For tiny sections or if you’re over 40, this helps immensely.
What Beginners Should Avoid
Don’t buy cheap kits. Thin paint that doesn’t cover, canvases that tear, brushes that fall apart. You’ll hate the experience and quit. Spend $25-35 on a quality kit like Shomaz Brand instead.
Don’t start with complex designs. That intricate landscape with 60 colors and tiny details? Save it for kit number five. Start simple.
Don’t paint tired or stressed. This is supposed to be relaxing. If you’re forcing it, you won’t enjoy it.
Don’t compare to others. Someone’s third kit will look better than your first kit. That’s normal. Focus on your own progress.
The Satisfaction Factor
Here’s the thing nobody tells you about paint by numbers: it’s weirdly satisfying.
Watching a blank canvas transform into a complete image, section by section, scratches some deep itch in your brain. Each finished section is a tiny win. You’re making visible progress.
Plus, you end up with something tangible. You can point at it and say, “I made that.” In our digital world, that physical creation matters.
And honestly? People are impressed. They see your finished painting and go, “You painted that?” Yeah. Yeah, you did.
Custom Kits for Personal Projects
Want to paint something meaningful? Custom paint by numbers kits turn your photos into numbered templates.
Upload a picture of your dog, your wedding, your kid’s first birthday. They convert it into a paint by numbers kit. Same easy process, but you’re painting your own memories.
Is paint by numbers easy for custom kits? Just as easy as pre-made designs. The process is identical. The subject is just more personal.
Final Thought
If you can follow directions, you can do paint by numbers. That’s the honest answer.
You’ll spend 5-15 hours total on a typical kit. Most of that time is relaxing, meditative, and satisfying. The hard thinking is minimal. The skill requirement is basically zero.
Your first painting might take longer. You’re learning as you go. But by hour two or three, you’ll be comfortable. By the end, you’ll be confident.
And you’ll have a finished painting worthy of hanging on your wall.
Grab a beginner kit from Shomaz Brand and try it. You’ll either discover a new hobby or waste $25. Those are pretty good odds.
Either way, you’ll have tried something new. And you’ll probably surprise yourself with what you create.
