Watercolour Paint by Numbers Kits

If you love the ethereal, translucent quality of watercolour paintings but feel intimidated by the medium, watercolour paint by numbers is your perfect starting point. These kits take the familiar paint by numbers format and reimagine it with softer colour palettes, lighter applications, and techniques designed to mimic the flowing beauty of traditional watercolour art.

Unlike standard paint by numbers kits that typically use opaque acrylic paints, watercolour-style kits encourage you to work with thinner layers of paint. The result? Paintings that feel airy, luminous, and full of gentle movement. You still follow numbered sections, but the approach is more about layering and blending than filling in solid blocks of colour.

Whether you pick up an actual watercolour paint by numbers kit or learn to adapt your existing acrylic paint by numbers kits with thinning techniques, the watercolour aesthetic is surprisingly achievable. And the results are absolutely stunning on a wall.

Before you dive in, it helps to understand the key differences between these two approaches. Both are wonderful, but they produce very different results.

The beauty of watercolour-style painting is that imperfections become part of the artwork. A slight bleed between colours or an uneven wash actually adds to the organic, handmade feel. If you're used to the precision of standard acrylic kits, this can feel liberating. For a deeper look at different approaches, check out our paint by numbers techniques guide.

The hallmark of watercolour painting is the wash: a smooth, even layer of diluted colour that flows across the surface. Getting this right is the single most important skill for watercolour paint by numbers success.

The Flat Wash

A flat wash creates a single, consistent tone across an area. To achieve this, load your brush generously with diluted paint and work in horizontal strokes from top to bottom. Each stroke should slightly overlap the one above it while the paint is still wet. Keep your canvas at a slight angle so gravity helps the paint flow downward naturally.

The Graded Wash

A graded wash transitions from dark to light (or vice versa). Start with your full-strength diluted colour at the top, then add a tiny bit more water to your brush with each subsequent stroke. By the time you reach the bottom of the section, the colour should be barely there. This technique is perfect for skies, water reflections, and backgrounds.

The Variegated Wash

This is where two or more colours blend into each other while wet. Apply your first colour to the top of a section, then quickly switch to a second colour at the bottom, letting them meet and mingle in the middle. The result is a smooth, organic transition that looks effortlessly beautiful.

Most paint by numbers kits come with acrylic paints, but that doesn't mean you can't achieve a watercolour effect. Acrylics are actually quite versatile, and with the right thinning technique, you can create surprisingly convincing watercolour-style results.

How to Thin Your Acrylics

The key is adding water gradually. Start with a small puddle of acrylic paint on your palette, then dip a clean, wet brush into the paint and mix. You want a consistency similar to milk rather than cream. If the paint still looks opaque on your brush, add a touch more water.

A good rule of thumb: for a light wash, aim for roughly a 1:3 ratio of paint to water. For a medium wash, try 1:1. You can always build up colour with additional layers, so it's better to start too thin than too thick.

Using an Acrylic Medium

If you want more control, consider using an acrylic glazing medium instead of plain water. This thins the paint while maintaining its binding properties, which means your diluted colours will adhere better to the canvas and resist lifting when you add subsequent layers. You can find glazing medium at any art supply shop.

For more on working with colours in your kit, our colour mixing tips guide is packed with practical advice.

Blending is what separates a good watercolour painting from a truly breathtaking one. In standard paint by numbers, you generally paint one section at a time with solid colour. For watercolour effects, you'll want to soften the boundaries between sections.

Wet-on-Wet Blending

This technique involves applying wet paint onto an already wet surface. First, dampen the area you're about to paint with clean water. Then, while the surface is still glistening, apply your diluted colour. The paint will spread and soften naturally, creating beautifully smooth transitions.

Work quickly with wet-on-wet blending. Acrylics dry faster than traditional watercolours, so you have a narrower window to manipulate the paint. If you notice edges starting to dry, mist them lightly with a spray bottle.

Feathering

Feathering is a technique where you use a clean, damp brush to soften the edge of a freshly painted area. Paint your section as normal, then immediately take a clean brush dampened with water and gently stroke along the edge you want to soften. This pulls the colour out into a gentle gradient.

Lifting

If you've applied too much colour, you can lift some of it off while the paint is still wet. Press a clean, damp sponge or paper towel gently onto the area to absorb excess paint. This creates lighter areas and adds a lovely luminous quality to your painting.

If you're new to painting techniques in general, start with our how to paint by numbers beginner guide to build your foundation.

Not every subject lends itself to the watercolour treatment. The best designs embrace the medium's natural strengths: soft transitions, delicate details, and a sense of lightness.

Once you've completed your watercolour paint by numbers masterpiece, you'll want to show it off properly. The way you display a watercolour-style painting can make a significant difference in how it looks.

Framing Choices

Watercolour paintings traditionally look their best in simple, elegant frames. Think thin white or natural wood frames with a generous mat border. The mat (or mount, as we say in Australia) creates breathing room around your painting and draws the eye inward. A white or off-white mat is almost always the right choice for watercolour-style works.

Glass or No Glass?

If you've painted on paper or thin board, glass is essential for protection. For canvas paintings, glass is optional but can add a polished, gallery-quality feel. If you use glass, opt for non-reflective or UV-protective glass to keep your colours from fading over time.

Varnishing Considerations

Be cautious with varnish on watercolour-style paintings. A heavy gloss varnish can destroy the matte, delicate look that makes watercolour so appealing. If you want to protect your work, use a matte or satin varnish applied in very thin coats. Better yet, skip the varnish entirely and protect your painting behind glass instead.

Placement Tips

Watercolour paintings look best in well-lit areas with indirect natural light. Direct sunlight will fade the delicate colours over time. They pair beautifully with minimalist or Scandinavian interiors, but honestly, a lovely watercolour painting works in almost any room. Bathrooms and bedrooms are particularly nice spots for the calming, gentle aesthetic.