Golden retrievers are the most painted dog in this store, and there are five kits to choose from. The coat is similar on all of them: a handful of gold and cream tones laid in the direction of the fur. What changes from kit to kit is everything behind the dog, and that is where the evenings go. Here they are, from the plainest background to the busiest.

Golden Retriever, the portrait

Golden Retriever is the straight portrait: the dog, the face, the warmth, and not much else to distract from it. It is the one to buy if you want the dog on the wall and nothing competing with it. The coat is the whole canvas, which sounds like a lot of work and is actually the opposite. Fur regions on a retriever are long and flowing, and they fill quickly. The hard part is the eyes, where the regions get small and a single white catchlight does most of the expression. Use the thinnest brush in the kit there, or a liner from the detail brush set, and paint the white last.

Golden Puppy in the Meadow

Golden Puppy in the Meadow is a retriever puppy sitting in a meadow of daisies and poppies under a blue sky. Bright, simple and happy, which is why it sells to people who have never painted before. The sky is a few large regions, the puppy is softer and rounder than the adult dogs, and the flowers are the only small work. If the kit is for a child or a complete beginner, this is the one. It also sits in the beginner friendly collection.

Retriever by the Lake

Retriever by the Lake puts the dog in front of water. Water in paint by numbers is a lot of long horizontal regions in blues and greys that look like stripes on the printed canvas and only turn into water once the last one is filled. Trust the numbers. It is a calmer picture than the meadow and a slightly longer one, because there is more background to cover.

Golden Retriever in Autumn Leaves

Golden Retriever in Autumn Leaves is the dog sitting in a drift of orange and red leaves, mouth open, clearly pleased with itself. The fur takes a handful of gold tones and the leaves around it are drawn loose and quick, so they go faster than they look. The palette is the warmest in the set and the dog almost disappears into it, which is the charm. It is the kit for a hallway or a living room in October.

Golden Retriever by the Christmas Tree

Golden Retriever by the Christmas Tree is the one people order for a gift. A retriever in a red Santa hat lies on a plaid blanket in front of a decorated tree and a pile of wrapped presents, with warm lights filling the room behind. The tree is where the time goes: ornaments and lights are many small regions in a dark green field. The blanket and the presents are generous shapes and go on quickly. Order it early if it is a December present; the Christmas gift guide has the dates.

Sizes, colors and time

All five come in five sizes from a 12x12 inch square to a 23.5 inch square, with 24, 36 or 48 colors. The 36 color version is the sensible middle for a dog: it keeps the mid golds that separate the ear from the cheek. Most people finish one over two or three weekends. The portrait is the quickest because the background is almost empty; the Christmas tree is the longest.

Questions people ask

Which golden retriever kit is easiest?

The puppy in the meadow, then the plain portrait. Both have simple backgrounds and large fur regions.

Can I paint my own golden retriever?

Yes. The custom pet portrait kit turns a photo of your dog into a numbered canvas with paints matched to the coat. A sharp daylight photo with the face in focus works best; the guide to working with the photos you have covers the rest.

Do these kits come with a frame?

Each kit is sold without a frame or with a DIY frame kit for a few dollars more. The canvas arrives rolled, with the paints and brushes.