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Finding the right paint by numbers kit makes the difference between a frustrating experience and a genuinely enjoyable creative project. With hundreds of options across Amazon, specialty craft stores, and direct-from-brand websites, narrowing the field requires knowing what separates quality kits from cheap disappointments.
This guide covers five paint by numbers brands for adults, with notes on paints, canvas and value.
What We Evaluated
The brands are compared on paint quality and consistency, canvas material and print clarity, design variety, and value relative to price.
Schipper: Best Overall Quality
Origin: Germany | Canvas: Pre-mounted artist board
Schipper has been manufacturing paint by numbers kits in Germany since 1969, and their half-century of experience shows in every detail. Their proprietary acrylic paints are renowned among hobbyists for consistency and color accuracy. The numbered sections are precisely printed and easy to read, even in detailed designs.
Schipper’s paints come ready to use, with no water or thinning needed. The pre-mounted artist boards eliminate the need for framing. Their design catalog leans toward landscapes, cityscapes, and classic art reproductions.
Best for: Painters who want museum-quality results and are willing to pay for premium materials.
Potential drawback: Higher price point and limited availability in the US (often requires ordering from European retailers or Amazon import listings).
Winnie’s Picks: Best Curated Designs
Origin: US-based | Canvas: Rolled linen canvas
Winnie’s Picks focuses on curated, aesthetically modern designs aimed at adults who want artwork they would actually hang in their homes. Their collection includes contemporary photography, pet portraits, and artistic interpretations that feel more like gallery pieces than typical paint by numbers fare.
The linen canvas is heavier weight than most competitors. Each kit ships with a reference image and color chart for easy matching.
Best for: Adults who care about design aesthetics and want modern, home-decor-worthy results.
Potential drawback: Canvas ships rolled, so you need stretcher bars or a frame (sold separately).
Ledgebay: Best Value for Quality
Origin: US-based | Canvas: Pre-framed on wooden stretcher bars
Ledgebay hits the sweet spot between quality and affordability. Their kits come pre-framed on wooden stretcher bars, which saves you the cost and hassle of framing. Acrylic paints are smooth and well-pigmented, and the canvas print quality is sharp with clearly legible numbers.
The canvas comes pre-framed, and brushes are included. Their design selection covers landscapes, animals, florals, and abstract patterns.
Best for: Beginners and intermediate painters who want a quality experience without premium pricing.
Potential drawback: Design catalog is smaller than some competitors.
Artownlar: Best Budget Option
Origin: China-based | Canvas: Rolled canvas or board
Artownlar kits deliver surprisingly decent results at the lowest price point in our comparison. While paint quality does not match Schipper or Winnie’s Picks, it is adequate for casual projects and testing whether you enjoy the hobby before investing in premium kits.
Lighter colors may need an extra coat to fully cover the numbers, and paint pots can be small for larger sections. The low price makes these kits an easy way to try the hobby.
Best for: First-time painters testing the hobby or anyone on a tight budget.
Potential drawback: Paint quantity can be tight; colors may need multiple coats.
BOSHUN: Best for Variety
Origin: China-based | Canvas: Rolled canvas
BOSHUN offers one of the largest design catalogs on Amazon, with hundreds of designs spanning landscapes, animals, florals, abstract art, and seasonal themes. This makes them an excellent choice for painters who want to explore different subjects without committing to premium prices.
Canvas is thinner than premium brands but adequate when stretched on bars. The sheer variety of available designs is their primary selling point.
Best for: Painters who want many design options at accessible prices.
Potential drawback: Quality is inconsistent across their large catalog.
Comparison Table
| Brand | Paint Quality | Canvas | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schipper | Excellent | Pre-mounted board | Premium quality |
| Winnie’s Picks | Excellent | Rolled linen | Modern designs |
| Ledgebay | Very Good | Pre-framed | Value + quality |
| Artownlar | Good | Rolled/board | Budget starter |
| BOSHUN | Good | Rolled | Design variety |
What Makes a Kit Beginner-Friendly
If this is your first kit, the design matters at least as much as the brand. A beginner-friendly kit usually has:
- Larger numbered sections that are easier to paint inside the lines
- Fewer colors overall, which means fewer pots to keep track of and bigger areas to fill
- Clear, high-contrast printing so the numbers are easy to read
- A forgiving subject such as a landscape, sunset, flowers or an abstract, where small slips are less noticeable than in a portrait
- A pre-framed canvas, so there is no stretching to deal with
Check the design preview and the number of colors on the listing before you settle on a brand.
Choosing Your First Design
Good subjects for a first kit:
- Sunsets and skies: large, soft areas with forgiving edges
- Landscapes: trees, hills and water look natural even with small imperfections
- Flowers: bold colors and organic shapes hide small mistakes
- Abstract art: there is no wrong way to paint it
Better saved for later:
- Portraits: small errors in a face are noticed straight away
- Architecture: straight lines and perspective need a steady hand
- Detailed animal close-ups: fur and eyes call for fine brush control
How to Get the Most From Any Kit
- Open your kit immediately and check that all paint colors are present and sealed. Contact the seller if anything is missing.
- Test paints on the canvas margin before starting to check consistency.
- Seal paint pots after every use to prevent drying. Some painters transfer paints to airtight containers.
- Invest in a set of quality brushes if the included ones feel flimsy. A $5-10 set of synthetic sable brushes makes a noticeable difference.
Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A few habits cause most of the frustration on a first project:
- Too much paint on the brush. Dip only the tip. A thin coat covers better than a thick one, which pools in corners and creeps over the lines.
- Not rinsing between colors. Rinse until the water runs clear, then blot the brush on a paper towel before the next color.
- Painting next to wet sections. Let a section dry before painting one that shares an edge, so the colors do not bleed together.
- Getting discouraged halfway. A canvas looks patchy until a good share of the sections are filled. That is normal, and the picture comes together as the colors start to connect.
Your First Session: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
- Unpack the kit and check that every color is there. Match each numbered pot to the color chart.
- Set up with good lighting and a flat surface.
- Start with the largest sections of one color. It builds confidence quickly.
- Use the medium brush for most sections and the fine brush only for small areas.
- Apply thin, even coats without overloading the brush.
- Let each section dry before painting the one beside it.
- Take breaks. Shorter sessions are easier on your hands and eyes.
Paint by numbers kits make wonderful presents. Our gift guide for crafters has painting gifts for every level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which paint by numbers brand has the best paint quality?
Schipper and Winnie’s Picks are the two higher-priced brands in this list. Their acrylic paints are pre-mixed to the right consistency, offer excellent coverage, and produce vibrant colors that match the preview image accurately.
Are expensive paint by numbers kits worth the money?
For most adults, mid-range to premium kits ($20-50) provide a significantly better experience than budget options. Better paints cover more evenly, canvas holds detail better, and the finished result looks more like actual art. Budget kits work for trying the hobby but can be frustrating for serious projects.
Can I use my own paints with a paint by numbers kit?
Yes, you can supplement or replace kit paints with artist-grade acrylics from brands like Golden or Liquitex. This is useful when kit paints dry out or when you want better pigmentation for specific colors.
What size paint by numbers kit should I buy?
16×20 inches is a common size for adults. It is large enough to display as wall art but manageable as a project. Larger sizes (20×24 and up) create more impressive pieces but take significantly longer to complete.
What is the easiest paint by numbers kit for a first project?
Rather than one brand, look for a kit labeled beginner or easy, with fewer colors, larger numbered sections and a simple landscape, floral or abstract design. Of the brands reviewed above, Ledgebay is our pick for most beginners, and Artownlar is the lowest-cost way to try the hobby.
Where to Buy Paint by Numbers Kits
Amazon
Amazon offers the widest selection of paint by numbers kits for adults, with all five brands reviewed above available for Prime shipping. Amazon listings also show photos of finished kits, which can help when comparing brands.
Direct From Brand Websites
Schipper (schipper.com) and Winnie’s Picks (winniespicks.com) both sell directly from their websites. Buying direct often provides access to the newest designs before they appear on Amazon, and both brands offer bundle deals that reduce per-kit costs for multiple purchases.
Craft Stores
Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and Joann Fabrics carry limited selections of paint by numbers kits, typically from mid-range brands. The advantage of in-store shopping is the ability to see the box and design preview before purchasing. Some stores also carry complementary supplies like varnish, extra brushes, and stretcher bars.
Paint Quality: What Separates Good From Great
Acrylic paint quality varies dramatically across price points. Premium paints from Schipper have a smooth, creamy consistency that flows from the brush without dragging. They cover in a single coat for most colors and produce vibrant results that closely match the preview image.
Mid-range paints from Ledgebay and Winnie’s Picks perform well but may require two coats on lighter colors. Budget paints from Artownlar and BOSHUN are functional but sometimes need thinning (too thick) or multiple coats (insufficient pigmentation). The difference is most noticeable in whites, yellows, and light pinks, which are inherently less opaque.
Regardless of brand, always stir paints gently before use and keep pots sealed when not actively painting. These two habits extend paint life significantly.
Our Recommendation
For most adult painters, Ledgebay offers the best combination of quality and value, especially for beginners. If you want the absolute best materials and do not mind the price premium, Schipper delivers an unmatched experience. And if design aesthetics are your priority, Winnie’s Picks has the most appealing catalog for home decor.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice; consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
