From Paint by Numbers to Freehand: Making the Leap
You have completed 5, 10, maybe 20 paint by numbers kits. Your technique is solid. Your brushwork is confident. And now you are thinking: could I paint without the numbers? The answer is yes, and paint by numbers has already taught you more than you realize.
At ArtistryByNumbers, we designed our kits to build real skills. Free shipping to the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia and New Zealand and Buy 2 Get 1 Free.
Want to paint this yourself?
Turn one of your own photos into a numbered canvas (from $19.95). We trace it, mix the paints to match, and ship the kit with brushes.
Or pick a ready-made design
- Bold and Free Painting by Numbers Premium Kit (from $19.95)
Skills You Already Have
After completing several paint by numbers kits, you already know
- Brush control: loading paint, pressure, direction, edge work
- Color recognition: you see subtle shade differences others miss
- Layering: thin coats, drying time, coverage techniques
- Composition awareness: foreground, midground, background, focal points
- Paint consistency: how much paint, how thin, how to avoid lumps
- Patience: the most important skill of all
The Transition Steps
- Customize your next PBN: change colors, blend sections, add personal touches
- Use a reference photo: paint freehand but follow a photo (like PBN without numbers)
- Start with simple subjects: single fruit, flower, or abstract shapes
- Use grid method: divide your reference and canvas into a grid (like PBN but less structured)
- Go fully freehand: paint from imagination or observation
Keep Painting PBN Too
Going freehand does not mean quitting paint by numbers. Many experienced artists do both, freehand for creative expression, PBN for relaxation and guaranteed beautiful results. They serve different purposes in your creative life.
Keep Building Skills | Custom Kit
Free shipping to the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia and New Zealand, with no minimum order. Buy two kits and the third is free, applied automatically at checkout.
