If you’re looking for a relaxing, calming activity that requires zero prior painting experience, an Artists Loft Paint by Number kit is the perfect project. It’s essentially coloring inside the lines, but with high-quality acrylics!
These kits (popularly found at Michaels) are fantastic because they are “no-mix”—meaning the colors are already perfectly blended for you.The kits come with everything you need, and all you need to is fill your canvas with color. I’ll share my Paint by Numbers Tips in this post that will encourage you to start, troubleshoot and successfully complete a kit!
Where can you buy your Paint by Number Kits?
I absolutely love variety of designs of the Artists loft paint by number kits you can find at Michaels. Below are the Butterfly design and Eiffel Tower design.
TIP: Buy a design that interests you and has colors that make you happy. You will be spending a good chunk of time with this kit 🙂
Here’s how many Artist loft paint by number kits our family has tried. This Red Cardinal one was super complicated even though it says intermediate level. It was not a fun one to complete. We’re now starting the Snowy Cottage, Dalmation and Mountain Scene.
What all comes in the Artists Loft Paint by Number kit?
Artist’s Loft kits are wonderfully comprehensive. When you open yours, you will find:
- A rolled canvas
- All the premixed acrylic paints you need
- 4 paintbrushes of varying sizes
- A paper reference guide and a full-color picture of the final design
- A wooden frame to display your finished art!
Tips for A Satisfying Artists Loft Paint By Number Experience
1. Work from Light to Dark
Always start with your lightest colors (like yellows and pale pinks) before moving on to the darker greens, blues, or blacks. Light colors are much more forgiving if you make a mistake early on.
2. Never Add Water!
Artist’s Loft paints are formulated to be beautifully thick so they don’t drip or splash. Keep your canvas dry, and never add water to the paint wells. Simply dip a dry paintbrush directly into the paint.
3. Paint One Color at a Time
Instead of painting section by section, pick a single number/color and move around the canvas filling in every spot that requires it. This is the most efficient way to cover ground!
4. Flatten Your Canvas For Ease
Because the canvas comes rolled, if you flatten it it becomes easier to paint.
- The Cardboard Hack: Cut a large piece of cardboard from an old box. Using wide 2-inch tape, stretch your canvas flat and tape down the edges.
- The Ironing Hack: If your canvas has stubborn creases, you can gently iron it from the back side or use a garment steamer before taping it down.
5. Hide the Numbers with Thick Paint (or a Gel Pen!)
Because you are using light colors first, you might notice the printed numbers showing through the paint once it dries.
- Tip: Apply a nice, thick layer of paint from the get-go. (Don’t worry about running out; these kits come with plenty of extra paint!)
- Genius Hack: Use a white gel pen to color over the printed number on the canvas just before you apply a light paint color.
6. Guard Against Smudges
If you are right-handed, start painting from the top-left corner and work your way down to the bottom-right. This ensures you always have a dry, unpainted area of the canvas to rest your wrist on. (Reverse this if you are left-handed!)
7. Save Your Reference Sheet
Don’t throw away that paper reference guide! You will inevitably find “orphan” areas on the canvas where the paint-by-number lines are confusing or a number got cut off. The reference sheet is your map for figuring out what color goes where.
8. Light It Up
Some of those numbered sections are tiny. Save your eyes by painting under a bright, dedicated desk. I love using this task light on my desk while painting. It helped me see those tiny printed numbers VERY easily.
9. Frame and Display
Once you’re done, remember that your Artists Loft paint by number kit comes with a wooden frame! Simply assemble the frame, mount your dried canvas, and proudly display your beautiful, hand-painted art.
The Artists Loft Paint by Number Kits come with a wooden frame included. At time frame 05:27 of my video I show you how to frame Paint by Number canvas easily!
You can also use this white frame or magnetic frame– it’s easier to put together.
artists loft paint by number Video
I share all of my Paint by Numbers tips and tricks for finishing your canvas in this Artists Loft Paint By Number YouTube video. Not only that- you get to watch the canvas come alive with color. Enjoy 🙂
Conclusion:
Don’t expect to finish your canvas in one weekend! Treat it as a daily self-care habit. Spending just 15 minutes a night painting is a fantastic, screen-free way to wind down. It might take you 20+ days to finish, but the process is highly addictive and rewarding.
I don’t know what I expected when I bought this Artists loft paint by number kit. This became the perfect creative break I needed every day.
Let me know in the comments below which Artists loft paint by number you have tried? The kits labeled “EASY” are great for kids 7 to 11 years old depending on how crafty they are. Adults and 11+-year-old kids can do the INTERMEDIATE level. Try making it a group activity and enjoy the time together.
I’d highly recommend you check out What is a Diamond Art Kit for your next project! It is a similarly satisfying project. If you are looking to get creative with paint, try these posca pens next!
Lovely, thanks for the tips!
Can you order just the paints? Some of mine have dried up before I was able to finish.
I’m not sure the paints are available by themselves. Have you tried reviving the dried up paint?
I was hoping that you’d add in the instructions on how to frame using the kit that came with it. I lost my instruction paper and been trying to find on YouTube.
Hi! In my second paint by numbers video I do show how to add the frame that comes in the kit- hope you find it useful Paint by Number and Glitter? https://youtu.be/CGxC4skUrqM
I had the same problem 😔
Add a few drops of distilled water and let sit overnight. Shake the paint pot the next morning and see!
Thank you! I thought there would be a customer service for this company. Silly me didn’t close the lid hard enough. #4 color is a huge detail part of this painting too. But thanks for the suggestion!
I just bought the Nite Cafe kit. I’m so glad I found your video, great tips/hacks. I’m left handed so it was good you suggested the direction for me to paint. Some of my colors seem dull, I’m thinking I might want to experiment with mixing colors on the fly. I’m also in Minnesota! Your daughter is adorable.
Thank you! A few colors might seem dull in comparison- but those are necessary to make the brighter colors pop!
I bought my first. Is the a top coat to look smoother?
I dont know if there is a top coat.
Do you stir the paint with a toothpick, or shake the paint?
I just mix it with the paint brush
how do you use those hooks that come with the kit to hang the finished painting?
I’ll try to share a video of that soon!
You talk about using a dry brush, if you change colors in the time you are painting, do you dip it in water and then dry the brush with like a paper towel? That is what I did in between and it seemed to work for me.
I don’t really clean my brush in between, I’m okay with the color contamination. But, yes you should wash your brush and dry it in between.
beautiful work!
Just bought my first one and it is saying to mix two colours together, what is the best way to do this ,mix on a separate piece of paper then apply to the canvas ?
Use a plastic palette to mix your paints before applying to the canvas!
Can my piece be stretched instead of framed?? I am almost finished with it.
I think it would work if stretched too!
I lost the paper with the instructions on how to add the wooden frame that comes with it. Can you please explain how to do so? Thanks!
Hi Dani! At time stamp 05:27 in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGxC4skUrqM I show how to add the wooden frame that comes in the kit! Hope this helps!
If I paint one color at a time , don’t I run the risk of smudging with my hand when I do the other colors?
I paint from the top left corner and move downwards to the bottom right. I also will mostly paint for 15 to 30 mins and then walk away from the canvas. No smudging as the paint dries very quickly.
I received 2 Artst’s Loft paint by number kits as a gift. The Dalmatian and another one of scenery. The pictures on the canvas are so pale I am having difficulty seeing the numbers or borders. I have tried different lights, different backing, and magnifiers. etc. Is there any way to make the lines more visible so that I can paint these pictures?
Oh that’s not good. I would actually take the canvas back to the store and ask for a replacement. The lines should be easily visible.
Hello,
I really enjoyed all your tips. I purchased a kit from Etsy and really enjoyed it. Just received my second one yesterday. It has teeny, tiny windows, some white and some black, in houses. Any tips for staying in the lines?
Thank you!
Jeanne
I recently purchased a paint by volor but confused about the colours. it says A 1/4 ,not sure which colour to use the 1 or the 4. all letters are the same with at least 2 numbers underneath
can you please assist.
thanks
Sometimes, the kit gives 2 pots of paint for each color. Just to be sure that you don’t run short of paint?
Just ordered my first kit and figured I’d see if there was really anything important I needed to know about before starting. Wow! Was there ever! Very very well done video. Thank you!
Mine came without paint with numbers. Not sure how to complete now.
I would reach out to the manufacturer and see if they can send some replacement paints!