How to Choose the Right Paint By Numbers Kit for Your Skill Level

Paint By Numbers has been around for decades, but let’s be honest—it’s come a long way from those clunky, old-school kits with thick black outlines and colors that didn’t quite match the picture on the box. These days, you can find kits that look like genuine works of art, but the real challenge is picking the right one for your skill level. Go too simple, and you might lose interest. Go too complex, and frustration kicks in before the first coat of paint even dries.

So, how do you find the sweet spot? Whether you're brand new to this or looking to level up, here’s how to pick a kit that matches your experience, patience, and creative ambitions.

Beginners: Keep It Simple, Keep It Fun

If you’ve never done Paint By Numbers before, you don’t want to start with a kit that has 48 colors and microscopic details. That’s a fast track to giving up. Instead, think of your first kit as a warm-up—a way to get comfortable with the process before tackling something more ambitious.

What to Look For:

• Larger sections – Bigger spaces mean fewer tricky details and an easier time staying in the lines.

• Fewer colors (24 or fewer) – A limited color palette keeps things manageable and prevents decision fatigue.

• Simple, clear designs – Flowers, animals, or abstract shapes work best. Leave the intricate landscapes and fine portraits for later.

Some kits are even labeled “Easy” or “Beginner”—a sign that the manufacturer knows you’re just getting started and isn’t trying to trick you into painting a Monet on your first try.

Intermediate Painters: Time to Step It Up

So you’ve completed a few Paint By Numbers kits and are feeling pretty confident. Maybe you’ve figured out how to blend colors better, or maybe you just want something that takes a little longer to finish. This is where intermediate-level kits come in.

What to Look For:

• Smaller sections – These will challenge your brush control without making you want to throw your paint across the room.

• More colors (24–36) – Additional shades mean better depth and detail, making your painting look more realistic.

• Engaging themes – Landscapes, stylized portraits, and multi-layered scenes add variety and keep things interesting.

Intermediate kits are where you start to see real improvement in your painting skills. If you enjoy the process and want to push yourself just a bit more, this is where you’ll find the sweet spot.

Advanced Painters: The Challenge Awaits

This is where things get serious. If you’ve already tackled a few intermediate kits and are craving more detail, realism, and complexity, it’s time to go all in with an advanced kit. These aren’t just Paint By Numbers projects—they’re commitment pieces.

What to Look For:

• Tiny, intricate sections – Precision is everything, and patience is required.

• A large color palette (36-48+ colors) – More shades mean more depth, but also more time spent switching between colors.

• Realistic designs – Think lifelike portraits, detailed cityscapes, and multi-layered nature scenes.

Advanced kits can take weeks or even months to finish, but the final result? Worth it.

Custom Kits: The Wild Card for Any Skill Level

One of the coolest things about Paint By Numbers today is the option to create a custom kit from a personal photo. The catch? Not all custom kits are created equal, and some images are harder to paint than others.

Choosing the Right Custom Kit Based on Skill Level:

• Beginners: Pick a high-contrast image with clear details and a simple background.

• Intermediate: A little more texture, a little more layering—portraits or scenic views work well.

• Advanced: If you're feeling ambitious, go for an image with complex shading, light variations, and lots of intricate details.

Custom kits make for great gifts, personal projects, or ways to memorialize special moments. Just be aware that they require extra patience, especially if the design includes tiny, detailed sections.

Time vs. Patience: Know What You’re Getting Into

Skill level isn’t the only thing to consider when picking a Paint By Numbers kit. Think about how much time you actually want to spend on your painting.

• Short on time? A small, beginner-friendly kit can be completed in a weekend.

• Want something long-term? Advanced kits will keep you occupied for weeks.

• Looking for balance? Intermediate kits offer a nice mix of challenge and completion satisfaction.

Some people like breezing through a painting quickly, while others enjoy having a long-term project to work on. Figure out what works for you before you commit to a 40-hour masterpiece.

Final Thought: The Right Kit Makes All the Difference

Paint By Numbers is supposed to be relaxing, not frustrating. Picking the right kit means setting yourself up for an enjoyable experience—not one where you’re squinting at the canvas, wondering why you ever thought this was a good idea.

At Artistry By Numbers, we’ve got a wide selection of kits tailored to different skill levels, so you can find the one that’s just right for you. Browse our collection today and start your next masterpiece!