There's a reason that virtually every acrylic paint by numbers kit on the market uses acrylics rather than oils or watercolours. Acrylics are the ideal medium for hobby painters: they dry quickly, clean up with water, offer vibrant colours, and forgive mistakes gracefully. Whether you've never picked up a brush before or you paint regularly, acrylics make the experience enjoyable from the very first stroke.

Acrylic paint was only invented in the 1950s, making it one of the newest paint mediums available. But it quickly became the favourite of hobby painters and professionals alike because of its remarkable versatility. You can thin it with water for delicate washes, use it straight from the pot for bold coverage, or layer it thickly for textural effects. It sticks to almost any surface, dries to a durable finish, and won't yellow or crack over time.

If you're just getting started, our how to paint by numbers guide covers the fundamentals. But if you're ready to take your acrylic skills to the next level, keep reading.

When you open your acrylic paint by numbers kit, you'll find a set of numbered pots containing pre-mixed acrylic paints. Each number corresponds to a specific area on the canvas. But what exactly is in those little pots?

What Acrylic Paint Is Made Of

Acrylic paint consists of pigment (the colour) suspended in an acrylic polymer emulsion (the binder). When the water in the emulsion evaporates, the acrylic polymers fuse together, locking the pigment in place and creating a flexible, water-resistant film. This is why acrylic paint is water-soluble when wet but waterproof once dry.

Paint Consistency

Paint by numbers kits typically contain acrylics with a creamy, medium-body consistency. This is thick enough to cover the printed numbers in one to two coats but thin enough to flow smoothly from your brush. If your paints feel too thick when you open them, a single drop of water mixed in with a toothpick will restore the perfect consistency.

Keeping Your Paints Fresh

Acrylic paint dries out once exposed to air, so always close your paint pots tightly after each session. If you notice a skin forming on top of the paint, carefully peel it off before using the paint beneath. For longer projects, consider transferring your paints to airtight containers or adding a drop of acrylic retarder to slow drying in the pot.

One of the defining characteristics of acrylic paint is its fast drying time. A thin layer can be touch-dry in as little as five to ten minutes, while thicker applications may take 20 to 30 minutes. This is mostly an advantage, but it requires a few adjustments to your approach.

Working Quickly

Because acrylics dry fast, you need to work with some urgency when blending two colours together on the canvas. If you want a smooth transition between adjacent sections, paint them in quick succession while the edges are still wet. Once acrylic paint dries, you can't blend it the way you can with slower-drying oils.

Slowing Things Down

If you find the paints are drying too quickly for your liking, there are several tricks. Lightly mist your palette with water every few minutes to keep the paints workable. You can also add a tiny amount of acrylic retarder (available at art supply shops) to your paint, which extends the drying time without changing the colour or consistency.

Using Fast Drying to Your Advantage

Fast drying means you can layer colours quickly without waiting hours between coats. Finished a section and want to add highlights or shadows on top? Just wait ten minutes and you're ready. This makes acrylic paint by numbers kits ideal for painters who like to see rapid progress in a single sitting.

For more hands-on techniques, explore our paint by numbers techniques article.

Layering is the secret weapon of experienced acrylic painters. Instead of applying a single thick coat, building up your painting in multiple thin layers creates depth, richness, and a more professional finish.

The Base Layer

Your first coat of paint should be relatively thin and even. Don't worry if the printed numbers still show through slightly. This base layer establishes the overall colour and provides a foundation for subsequent layers to grip onto. Let it dry completely before proceeding.

Building Coverage

Apply a second coat to any areas where the numbers are still visible or the colour looks patchy. This second layer should give you solid, even coverage. For most colours, two coats are sufficient. Light colours like yellow, white, and pale pink may need three coats because their pigments are naturally less opaque.

Adding Dimension

Once your base coverage is complete, you can add optional detail layers to make your painting pop. Consider adding slightly darker shades to shadow areas and lighter touches to highlights. Even subtle variations in tone can transform a flat-looking painting into something with real visual depth.

Your kit comes with pre-mixed colours carefully matched to the design, so you don't need to mix anything. But learning basic colour mixing opens up a world of possibilities for customising your painting and adding personal touches.

Why Mix Colours?

Colour mixing lets you create smooth transitions between adjacent sections, fix small colour mismatches, and add subtle highlights or shadows that aren't in the original design. Even mixing two kit colours together to create an intermediate shade can dramatically improve the realism of your painting.

How to Mix Acrylics

Mix colours on a palette (or any non-porous surface like a ceramic plate or plastic lid). Start with the lighter colour and gradually add tiny amounts of the darker colour. Acrylics are powerful, so a little goes a long way. Mix thoroughly with your brush or a palette knife until the colour is uniform.

Key Mixing Tips

• Always mix more than you think you need. Matching an exact mixed colour later is nearly impossible.
• Acrylics dry slightly darker than they appear when wet. Mix your colour slightly lighter than your target shade.
• Use white sparingly. Adding white to lighten a colour also makes it more opaque and chalky. For lighter tints, consider using a light yellow or pale version of the colour instead.
• Avoid mixing complementary colours (red and green, blue and orange, yellow and purple) unless you intentionally want a muted, brownish tone.

For a deeper dive, our colour mixing tips guide covers everything from basic theory to advanced techniques.

Your brushes are the most reusable part of your acrylic paint by numbers kit, and with proper care, they'll last through many projects. The key is cleaning them before the paint dries.

During Your Painting Session

Keep a jar of clean water next to your workspace. Every time you switch colours, swirl your brush in the water to remove the old paint, then gently blot on a paper towel or cloth. Never leave your brushes sitting in water for extended periods. This bends the bristles, loosens the ferrule (the metal collar), and ruins the brush shape.

End-of-Session Cleaning

When you're done painting for the day, rinse each brush thoroughly under running water. Work the bristles gently between your fingers to release any paint trapped near the ferrule. If paint has started to dry, use a drop of gentle dish soap or brush cleaner to work it out. Reshape the bristles with your fingers and lay the brushes flat or stand them upright (bristles up) to dry.

Rescuing Stiff Brushes

If acrylic paint has dried in your brush, soak it in rubbing alcohol or a specialised brush restorer for 30 minutes, then work the softened paint out with your fingers. A fine-toothed comb can help separate bristles that have clumped together. Prevention is always better than cure, though, so make brush cleaning a habit.

Varnishing is the final step that transforms your acrylic paint by numbers from a finished hobby project into a protected, professional-looking work of art. It's optional, but highly recommended.

Why Varnish?

Varnish does three important things. First, it protects your painting from dust, dirt, and accidental fingerprints. Second, it provides UV protection that prevents your colours from fading over time. Third, it unifies the sheen across your entire painting. Without varnish, some sections may appear matte while others look slightly glossy, creating an uneven appearance.

Choosing Your Finish

• Gloss varnish intensifies colours and adds a rich, wet-look shine. Best for vibrant, bold paintings.
• Matte varnish reduces glare and gives a soft, contemporary finish. Best for subtle or pastel designs.
• Satin varnish splits the difference with a gentle lustre. This is the most versatile choice and our recommendation for most acrylic paint by numbers projects.

How to Apply Varnish

Wait at least 48 hours after completing your painting before varnishing. Make sure the surface is clean and dust-free. Use a wide, soft brush and apply thin, even strokes in one direction. Don't overwork the varnish, as this can create bubbles or streaks. Apply two to three thin coats, allowing each coat to dry for at least two hours before applying the next.

Spray varnish is a convenient alternative that eliminates brushstroke marks entirely. Hold the can about 30 centimetres from the surface and apply in light, sweeping passes. Multiple thin coats are far better than one heavy coat.

Browse our paint by numbers collection to find your next acrylic masterpiece.