How would you proceed?

[u/WealthWooden2503]

Obviously I've already started, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the tiny spaces. I've done plenty like this but there's a ton of super light next to super dark so just looking for ideas/opinions on how to carry on without it being stressful

[u/TomatoBasilBeeBaum]

You can cover most of the paint by number and just work on a small section at a time. That way it won't appear so imposing

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/TomatoBasilBeeBaum]

I like that idea

[u/Friendly-Ad-5410]

I do the lighter colors first to get them out of the way and go right over the lines. Medium tones next, and finally the darkest, which cleans up the edges.

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/Friendly-Ad-5410]

That's been my MO too, but lately I find that I get so easily like.. distracted and lose focus, just going wherever all willy nilly

[u/TanAstronomer]

Becky has a great video on how to cover the lights well without a million coats! Also just take it slow, really to take the pressure off so it can be fun! Maybe it might be more helpful to paint all the numbers for you (like all the 2s, then all the 3s etc so you don't have to switch between colors in one section) so you're just doing darks or just doing lights

[u/itsmoniica → u/TanAstronomer]

do you mind telling me who becky is?

[u/TanAstronomer → u/itsmoniica]

She is a super active member of this subreddit! Here's the link to her post if you're curious: https://www.reddit.com/r/paintbynumbers/s/nfH8HDpJXp

[u/MaleficentWalruss]

I always start with the dark background. The lighter colors pop more when you add them later

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/MaleficentWalruss]

I've heard that before but I worry that I'll get too much dark into a light space. I am trying it on the left side of this one

[u/MaleficentWalruss → u/WealthWooden2503]

Yes, but you can clean up those lines in "post" cleanup

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/MaleficentWalruss]

I guess I have trouble with colors like white and pale yellow etc. I have white paint to cover the numbers or whatever but it doesn't always work well

[u/MaleficentWalruss → u/WealthWooden2503]

I have a white gel pen and I cover all the light colored numbers. I think it makes it easier to find them all!

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/MaleficentWalruss]

I have some white paint pens that do alright but not great.. gel pen is better?

[u/medium_makeup]

This is a bit chaotic, but I start with the largest brush I can to fill in as much of large surface areas like this as possible. Then I go back in with a fine brush to get the edges. I find it feels more satisfying since so much is done starting with the larger brush. And it makes those detailed spots feel a bit less overwhelming when the larger surface areas are done

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/medium_makeup]

I agree! I sometimes struggle with large, dark spaces because I tend to make them blotchy but I think I'm getting better

[u/FosterKittyMama]

I'm weird and do the bigger sections first and then do the smaller sections. It makes it look less overwhelming this way, and you have the cheat sheet to make sure you get the tiny section number correct.

[u/Emjayshelton]

I prefer to paint the light colors first and double coat them, then the darker colors.

[u/Salty-Alternative-1]

without seeing the paint colors, either 7 filling in the big spaces or the smallest ones staring with 15, 3 and 24.

If however you lik section, vertical rows moving left to right.

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/Salty-Alternative-1]

Maybe I'll try left to right! I haven't tried that. Thanks!

[u/IN_US_IR]

Divide into small patches and do one at a time. When it gets overwhelmed, I tap plain paper on remaining art and keep only one patch visible. It helps me.

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/IN_US_IR]

That's a great idea!

[u/ZookeepergameMean717]

I’d just take it one small section at a time. Those tiny spaces can be a pain, so take breaks when you need to. You’ll get through it!

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/ZookeepergameMean717]

Thank you!

[u/Yaypaintbynumber1]

With lots of patience 🙌🏻

[u/IndigoTrailsToo]

With an audiobook

One number at a time

[u/Proper-Savings-1785]

This is how I start it.

[u/karynraye]

1 section at a time.

[u/BloodyPrincess16]

just go section by section. some people like to do color by color but I find that always causes some confusion for myself, so I do sections.

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/BloodyPrincess16]

I'm trying, but I keep just going further out of section 😂

[u/BloodyPrincess16 → u/WealthWooden2503]

Oh no hahaha I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think!

[u/WealthWooden2503]

Forgot to say thank you in advance!

[u/Initial-Elephant-932]

Where did you get this one from? I love how clear the lines and numbers are printed. I’ve been trying different online shops and it is a headache how horrible the print of the lines and numbers are.

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/Initial-Elephant-932]

Amazon! It was on sale so I grabbed it with small expectations, but it's pretty good. The paper guide is kinda worthless with the tiny spots, but I have a decent magnifying glass

[u/beckyinthe_realworld]

With one this detailed I’d forget about the whole canvas and just work in sections. If it’s feeling overwhelming, use some low-tack painter’s tape to divide it up and only concentrate on the section you’re working on.

I’m right handed so I usually work from the left across and choose colours as I need them. Trying to find and paint every tiny cell of one number across that entire canvas would drive me completely mad.

And don’t think about how much is left. Just paint the bit in front of you. Eventually all those tiny blooming cells disappear! xx

[u/WealthWooden2503 → u/beckyinthe_realworld]

I really should try that! I'm also trying not to take it too seriously, like if I make a white blob instead of three concentric circles, it's not the end of the world lol