Paint by numbers is becoming one of the most popular creative hobbies these days. Not only does it help people relax after stressful working hours, but this activity also brings a sense of accomplishment when you complete a beautiful painting with your own hands.
However, one of the most common questions of beginners is: “How long does it take to complete paint by number?”
The practical answer is: This depends on the size of the painting, the detail level, the painter’s experience, and how to enjoy the painting process. With paintings from Wander Painting, most of the painters often finish their artwork within a few hours to several weeks, depending on the design.
I. How long does it take to complete a Paint By Numbers painting on average?
In fact, the time of accomplishment often depends on the size of the canvas:
|
The size of the painting |
Average time |
|
12”x16” |
10 - 24 hours |
|
18”x24” |
20 - 40 hours |
Paintings with many details and areas may take more than 40 hours to finish.
This is just an estimation to consult. Some people like quick accomplishment on the weekend, while others consider paint by number kits a relaxing activity for a long time.
In Wander Painting, you can find many paintings, from simple designs for newbies to detailed artistic designs for experienced painters. .
II. Why do some Paint By Numbers paintings take longer?
2.1 The size of Canvas
The foremost factor affecting the time of accomplishment is the size.
One small painting with fewer coloring sections is far easier to control and suitable for beginners, while large paintings often have hundreds of tiny coloring areas that require careful attention.
Large landscape or classic art paintings often more likely need a lot of time to finish.
2.2 Detail of the Painting
What makes the best paint by number kits the most time-consuming isn't the size, but the number of small sections in the painting.
For example:
- Portrait paintings like The Royal Couple
- Pet paintings like Bobcat - National Park Wildlife
- Detailed landscape paintings like Denali National Park and Preserve
- Reproductions of famous works
often have many small, closely spaced color areas, requiring a higher level of meticulousness. In contrast, paintings about flower-leaf, simple landscape themes, or abstract style will be much easier to paint and will be completed faster.
2.3 Painters’ experience
Beginners usually spend time on small gestures like:
- Change colors constantly
- Smudge lines
- Use too much color paint
- Correct mistakes many times
After about 1-2 paintings, most painters become faster and much more confident.
That is also the reason why many customers of Wander Painting often begin with simple designs before trying more detailed paintings.
2.4 Acrylic Paint Quality
One factor that few people pay attention to is the coverage of the paint.
Light colors such as:
- pale yellow
- pastel blue
- pale pink
often require two coats to completely cover the numbers and lines printed on the canvas.
Good quality acrylic paint will help the color be more even, reduce correction time, and make the painting look more professional after completion.
III. How Long Does It Take a Beginner to Do Paint By Numbers?
For beginners, a standard painting usually takes about 20-40 hours.
However, very few people sit and paint continuously for hours.
Most will paint in the following way:
- 30-60 minutes in the evening
- a few hours on weekends
- painting small sections each day
Therefore, a painting can take several weeks to complete while still providing a relaxing and comfortable feeling. It is the reason why paint by numbers adults becomes a “slow hobby” which helps reduce stress.
IV. How to finish Paint by Numbers faster?
If you want to complete your painting both quickly and beautifully, you should apply some tips as below:
4.1 Paint colors one by one
Instead of changing colors constantly, it’s advisable to color all the same-number-labeled areas at first. This helps:
- save time that you spend on washing paintbrushes
- avoid forgetting the current position
- work more efficiently
4.2 Start from large areas
These large areas help you see the progress more clearly and create motivation to move forward.
4.3 Use good lighting
Adequate lighting helps you see small areas clearly and avoid smudging.
4.4 Keep paintbrushes clean
Dirty paintbrushes will mix colors and force you to fix many times.
4.5 Choose paintings fitting your level
If you are a newbie, you should start with designs having:
- just a few details
- clear colors
- large sections
In Wander Painting, there are many beginner-friendly paintings that both are suitable for beginners and ensure high aesthetic appeal.
V. Why Should Paint By Numbers Be Completed Slowly?
Many people think the main goal is to complete the painting as quickly as possible. But in reality, most experienced painters prefer to enjoy the process.
When painting slowly:
- you relax better
- make fewer mistakes
- The outlines are neater
- The colors are more even
paint by numbers beginner is not simply "coloring by numbers". It's also a time to temporarily disconnect from your phone screen, work, and daily pressures.
That's why this art form is becoming increasingly popular worldwide.
VI. Do Custom Paint By Numbers Paintings Take More Time?
The answer is yes.
Customisable paint-by-numbers projects are often more complex because they require reproducing:
- faces
- expressions
- color transitions
- lighting details
For example:
- pet paintings
- wedding photos
- family photos
- personal portraits
… often have many small areas to paint and require more patience.
A custom paint-by-numbers project can sometimes take over 40 hours to complete.
If you are looking for a unique personalized gift, the custom service at Wander Painting is a very worthwhile option.
So, how long does painting a canvas take to complete? Most standard 12”x16” and 18”x24” projects will take about 10-20 hours and 20-40 hours, respectively, while custom or highly detailed designs may take longer. However, the most important thing is not speed, but the relaxing experience throughout the painting process.
If you're just starting out, prioritize simple, less detailed patterns that suit your personal preferences to make it more enjoyable from the beginning. You can explore hundreds of patterns from landscapes, flowers and leaves, animals to custom personalized paintings in Wander Painting to set off your own paint brushes for acrylic paint journey.