How Paint By Numbers Started
Most people could only dream of painting like Van Gogh - he became one of my favourite artists after reading "Dear Theo" - and I wish I had learnt to paint from a paint by numbers kit. I might have learnt to paint a lot sooner. Here's a simple way to make your own paint by numbers picture, how to paint it and own a masterpiece based on a master artist.
Critics would scorn the paint by numbers method, but it was the Paint By Numbers Inventor, Dan Robbins who noticed Leonardo da Vinci, 500 years prior, numbered his paintings for assistants to fill in . . .. . . well Paint by Numbers was born.
Why paint anyway?
Why bother attempting to paint a Van Gogh when software and canvas inkjet papers can make a printout look like it was painted? Well there are many benefits when you paint - copying a masterpiece - or even painting at all. If you don't have paint why not paint-by-numbers in plasticine or even playdough? http://www.instructables.com/id/Playdough-Paintings/
I like how it helps the beginning artists to:
How Easy is This Instructable?
Watch this video of The Largest Paint by Numbers Painting of a Foot
Well, that just goes to show - everyone could paint as wonderfully as Vincent Van Gogh.....
if they wanted to. God made the world too beautiful to ignore * . *
Here's how to get a foot into the secret world of painting ....
So let's get started!
Most people could only dream of painting like Van Gogh - he became one of my favourite artists after reading "Dear Theo" - and I wish I had learnt to paint from a paint by numbers kit. I might have learnt to paint a lot sooner. Here's a simple way to make your own paint by numbers picture, how to paint it and own a masterpiece based on a master artist.
Critics would scorn the paint by numbers method, but it was the Paint By Numbers Inventor, Dan Robbins who noticed Leonardo da Vinci, 500 years prior, numbered his paintings for assistants to fill in . . .. . . well Paint by Numbers was born.
Why paint anyway?
Why bother attempting to paint a Van Gogh when software and canvas inkjet papers can make a printout look like it was painted? Well there are many benefits when you paint - copying a masterpiece - or even painting at all. If you don't have paint why not paint-by-numbers in plasticine or even playdough? http://www.instructables.com/id/Playdough-Paintings/
I like how it helps the beginning artists to:
- develop eye and hand co-ordination
- observe carefully by sharpening your shape and texture recognition,
- understand how colour works - why some colours look good together and why others not so good together
- improving your aesthetic sensitivity a hundred times over
- turn once boring blobs of paint - humdrum ordinary things turn into interesting things of simple beauty.
How Easy is This Instructable?
Watch this video of The Largest Paint by Numbers Painting of a Foot
Well, that just goes to show - everyone could paint as wonderfully as Vincent Van Gogh.....
if they wanted to. God made the world too beautiful to ignore * . *
Here's how to get a foot into the secret world of painting ....
So let's get started!
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Signing UpStep 1: Trace the artwork on acetate / clingwrap
(Please check out How to draw anything instructable Part 1, first, to get through this instructable faster)
1. Choose the artwork you want to copy. Choose a high resolution version that clearly shows up the artist's brush strokes. Print out from computer in colour as a reference point.
2. Grab some acetate or plastic cling wrap and a fine permanent marker.
3. Cover the picture with acetate / cling wrap and trace over each area that has the same colour.
When you can see a slightly darker or light colour - outline that as well.
4. Scan the acetate / plastic wrap tracing.
5. Print out the scanned outlines on paper.
1. Choose the artwork you want to copy. Choose a high resolution version that clearly shows up the artist's brush strokes. Print out from computer in colour as a reference point.
2. Grab some acetate or plastic cling wrap and a fine permanent marker.
3. Cover the picture with acetate / cling wrap and trace over each area that has the same colour.
When you can see a slightly darker or light colour - outline that as well.
4. Scan the acetate / plastic wrap tracing.
5. Print out the scanned outlines on paper.
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Childhood activities do remain in your phyche I too did PBN when i was a girl and thoroughly enjoyed them. I also remember my first paint box. It was a Reeves poster paint box with six colours and a brush. The box was plum colour and had two levels. Whilst I can't claim to be an artist I do enjoy all forms of art and craft.
We should give kids these type of sets to help sow the seeds of art.
Very impressive work.
If you'd rather trace by hand than computer, clear plastic or acetate tracing over an original picture for the line art works well. Then its simple to photocopy onto a larger sheet of paper.
they enhance your understand of the structure of the patterns. I agree with what you wrote. As an art teacher I used to give them as prizes to smaller kids..great for big kids as well.
It is a very relaxing activity for everyone and a wonderful sense of accomplishment getting one done! I had a sketch book as a kid and I was creative there but did my paint by numbers by the book..lol
I cannot find carbon paper sold anywhere anymore... Did you have a private stash???
Again thanks!!! Thanks for the tutorial on using that program also!
Stay inspired!
Thanks and Art on!
Instead of carbon paper, I cut off used bits of fax carbon paper for tracing. It seems to be the same stuff.