Remember how as a child we all wanted to be great artists? But as time went on, we matured and realized that the talent that our parents told us so stubbornly was completely absent in us. And how you want to draw a picture with your own hands! Only so that later you don't have to explain to everyone. what kind of creature is depicted on it and from which side it is better to look at it. Special numbers for coloring by numbers will come to the rescue.
Typically, such a set includes: base, paints or pencils, brushes and instructions. Sometimes the manufacturer adds a color mixing palette. The basis is of two types:
- cardboard;
- a canvas on which a contour drawing with numbers inside is applied.
Pencils can be plain or colored, but paints are acrylic, oil and watercolor. If you are new to painting, then acrylic paints are worth choosing. They completely overlap each other and make it possible to correct mistakes or inaccuracies, but it is worth remembering that paints dry very quickly. There can be one brush in the kit, but more often there are several of them, so that you can choose the most convenient thickness. The instructions give instructions on how to color the picture, indicate the colors that are in the set, and also repeat the outline drawing with numbers.
Kits with a cardboard base are cheaper and easier to draw, since the borders of colors and numbers are very clearly visible, and the paint lays down evenly and is well absorbed. The pictures are very bright, and to add saturation to certain areas, it is enough to paint over them several times. For finished works, you can easily use photo frames.
Kits with a canvas base are a little more difficult to paint, since the canvas is a fabric, so the paint does not adhere and absorb as evenly as on a cardboard base. But if you apply several layers of paint, the picture looks very voluminous and bright. The host can be rolled up or attached to a stretcher.
A stretcher is a wooden base for stretching the canvas. Due to the stretcher, the thickness of the picture increases, so choosing a frame is much more difficult. Most likely, you will have to make a custom frame, which significantly increases the cost of completing the finished work. However, there is a trick here: if you do not have a fundamentally expensive design and are drawing for yourself, then it is enough to paint over the picture from the ends of the stretcher and you can hang it on the wall, since the picture looks complete and no frames are required.
Once you've decided where you want to start (cardboard or canvas), you need to choose a manufacturer. All of them differ in complexity, brightness of colors, country of manufacture and price. Let's consider the most popular ones.
1. Sets, in which the base is cardboard:
Schipper is very popular with color by number lovers. Manufacturer - Germany. The sets use acrylic paints, which are in special small containers and are hermetically sealed, so they can be stored for a very long time. Great for beginners as all the colors are already blended and ready to paint. All components of the set are of very good quality, so for some the price may seem high. Huge selection of paintings for every taste.
Dimensions not only produces color by number, but also cross stitch kits and diamond embroidery. Manufacturer - USA. All paints are of good quality, they fall evenly on the cardboard. This set is suitable for more experienced artists, as when drawing, you will have to mix colors according to the instructions. There is a huge scope for creativity here. You can change the shades to your taste and mood. The finished painting is usually slightly different from the one shown on the box, so do not be upset if suddenly some parts of you do not look the way you would like. Huge selection of paintings on all kinds of subjects. The price is slightly lower than that of the Schipper manufacturer.
Ravensburger does not have such a large selection of themes for drawing, and half of them are children's pictures. Manufacturer - Czech Republic. Ravensburger, like Schipper, is good for a beginner, as there is no need to mix paints. The price is lower than that of previous manufacturers.
PLAID is less popular among art lovers: relatively small selection of themes for painting, high price. Although it is worth noting that the finished work corresponds to the one stated on the package. No mixing required. Manufacturer - USA.
"Snow White" has a fairly large assortment of themes for coloring and a small price. Manufacturer - Russia. The paints do not require mixing, so they are ideal for beginners.
KSG produces two types of kits: painting without mixing colors and painting where paint mixing is required. Be careful in choosing, carefully study the packaging, which indicates which set it is. Manufacturer - Great Britain. The set uses brushes made from natural materials, so they climb a little. The price is comparable to the most popular manufacturers. A small selection of themes for drawing.
2. Sets, in which the base is canvas:
Menglei is one of the most popular manufacturers of canvas painting kits. A big plus is that the canvas is already stretched over the stretcher. Huge selection of subjects for painting and price range. The manufacturer produces sets of various difficulty levels. This information can be found on the packaging or instructions. Manufacturer - China. The set includes acrylic paints that do not require mixing, but sometimes you need to apply them 2-3 times to paint over the numbers. A great option for beginner artists who are just trying to paint on canvas.
Hobbart is a well-established company, but the prices for the kits are higher than those of other manufacturers. Most kits have the canvas already stretched over a stretcher, but there are also kits without a stretcher. Be careful when choosing. Manufacturer - China. The set uses acrylic paints, which are in sealed tubes. Thanks to this, the paints stay fresh for much longer. A wide selection of stories on any topic. No paint mixing required.
Paintboy Original is another popular paint by number company. Manufacturer - China. Quite good product quality and low prices. Huge selection of subjects for creativity. The set comes with a stretcher and uses acrylic paints that do not need to be mixed. The manufacturer produces sets of various difficulty levels. Be careful when choosing. Unlike Paintboy, the improved version of Paintboy Original comes with 2 color fixer jars.
Color-KIT can offer a small selection of plots for painting, good product quality and a low price. Manufacturer - China. The composition includes canvas stretched on a stretcher and acrylic paints that do not require mixing. Brushes are not very convenient for drawing, so you will have to purchase a set separately. The manufacturer produces sets of different difficulty levels.
"Snow White" - we considered this company in sets, where the basis was cardboard. Manufacturer - Russia. In sets, the canvas is stretched on a stretcher, acrylic paints are used that do not require mixing. The choice of plot with canvas is very large, but a little uninteresting. The price is slightly higher than that of Chinese manufacturers.
Mosfa is another Russian paint by number manufacturer. The set includes a host with a stretcher and acrylic paints, which are packed in special vacuum bags to prevent drying out. No paint mixing is required, so it is perfect for beginners. On the canvas, the numbers are the same color as the paint being applied. Not a bad choice of plots, although less than that of the Chinese manufacturers.
Royal & Langnickel is not the most popular manufacturer as the kits are suitable for experienced artists. The technique of mixing paints of two or three types is used, so it is very difficult for beginners to achieve the desired shade. But a wide field for creativity and imagination is created for those who do not like to limit themselves to the framework of selected colors. Canvas is already stretched over a stretcher, acrylics in tubes to prevent drying out. The manufacturer cannot boast of a large selection of plots and prices are higher than those of Chinese manufacturers. Another disadvantage is the lack of instructions in Russian.
Adventura produces sets of two types: with canvas on stretcher and canvas on cardboard. A kind of plot series of pictures, not everyone will like it. The set uses a technique without mixing paints, so it is suitable for novice artists. The price is slightly higher than that of Chinese manufacturers.
We have reviewed the main manufacturers of paint by number. The final choice is yours alone. Discover the magical world of painting! Albeit with the help of tips, but you can create an amazing picture with your own hands.
