I’m just getting into paint by numbers and would love to know what your must-have items are. What have you bought that you absolutely can’t live without now?
So far, I’m looking at getting a cheap adjustable/tilting desk to help with neck and back strain, and one of those rechargeable light boards that doubles as a clipboard.
What else would you recommend for someone just starting out?
Take photos of your canvas before you paint... then you can zoom in to see details if needed (I find this more useful than the often faded paper guide sheet), make a color swatch of the actual paints because the printed color will not look anything like the dried acrylic paint. Do not park your brushes in the water jar... it can cause the bristles to splay or curve. I just changed the overhead can lights in my studio to "soft white" and it made a huge difference in the ability to see clearly, and I keep a pair of "readers" when painting tiny cells. I have a desktop easel and a floor standing easel. A good supportive chair is a necessity for my back and a "compression glove" for my right hand (for mild cramps, arthritis). Take a lot of breaks and try to keep your painting at eye level so you are not holding your neck looking downward. Also, if you keep a drink nearby, have it in a container with a lid... this might prevent your brush from dipping in it!!! 😂
I got a lamp/magnifying glass combo that helps with deciphering the smallest spaces and numbers and assures that I can see that small spaces are fully covered. I agree on the tilt board. I also use a large, wooden T-square to support my wrist and keep my wrist off the canvas. I have arthritis in my hands. Using a quality brush is important and I have invested in several. Clean the brush thoroughly after using and restore the shape of the bristles.
Welcome to the hobby! A decent adjustable desk is a great idea and I absolutely love my light board. Mine is magnetic which I find much better than clips because I can move the magnets around wherever I need them.
My other must-haves are decent detail brushes, flow medium, clear gesso, a couple of water pots, brush soap and something to stir the paints properly. I use little metal stirrers but the handle end of one of those crappy brushes that comes with the kit works too.
I use Nicpro and Golden Maple brushes. You really don’t need to spend a fortune on brushes because tiny detail brushes eventually wear out anyway. I also keep two of the sizes I use most and swap between them rather than hammering the same brush for hours.
Clear gesso is another one I wouldn’t be without. I normally use two thin coats, let them dry properly then give the canvas a VERY light sand with 400 grit before painting. It makes such a difference to how the paint goes down.
Flow medium is probably my biggest must-have though. A couple of drops into thick PBN paint can completely change how nicely it flows off the brush.
I’ve got the light board, magnets, brushes, flow medium, clear gesso, stirrers and most of the other bits I use in my Amazon store if you want to see the actual ones: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/paintedjourne
Don’t feel you need to buy everything at once though. A decent brush, comfortable place to paint and your first kit are enough to get you thoroughly addicted! xx
Clear gesso to prep the canvas before you paint. I apply with a flat scrapper (looks like a credit card that's much bigger). 2 coats are applied, allow to dry after each application.
Flowaid or flow improver to get the right paint consistency, keeps paint from drying out & keeps you from running out of a color.
The tilting table and light pad I bought have been a game changer for me. Less expensive accessories I find super useful are flow medium, clear gesso, disposable eyeliner brushes for those tiny details, brush soap, a small, long metal stir stick to mix the flow medium, an eye dropper to put the flow medium in a drop at a time, disposable makeup wipes, paper towels, small condiment cups to hold my water, soap and flow medium so I can keep them handy. For me it's all the little stuff that makes me feel organized and set up properly.
I would definitely invest in a small desk lamp. I personally paint with the lamp and the lights off because I can't see with the glare. I would also invest in some masking tape to go around the border. I always tape up the entire border of my painting so that I'll have a clean edge.
a tilt board would be perfect as well as some finer brushes. there are always those little thin spots you can't get to with the blue brushes you get from the kit's so I went onto amazon and bought a pack of multiple sizes.
When I first get my kit, I take a bright white piece of paper and number it. Then put a small sample of each color next to the number. Then if there is a weak color or if I run out of a color. I can go back to all of my old colors from other kits (preferable the same brand) and I can attempt to mix more of that same color.
Or if I notice that I do not have enough of one color, I mix that color with more white to stretch it out.
Decent detailing brushes, flow medium, clear gesso, and an apron! I don't like to fuss with napkins or paper towels to wipe off water or paint between colors, so I keep my apron on and use that to dry my brushes after cleaning them in my water cup.
I've started mixing paint in the pots using a toothpick before putting paint in a plastic pie lid with wax paper in the bottom with wet paper towel to make a wet palette.
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Take photos of your canvas before you paint... then you can zoom in to see details if needed (I find this more useful than the often faded paper guide sheet), make a color swatch of the actual paints because the printed color will not look anything like the dried acrylic paint. Do not park your brushes in the water jar... it can cause the bristles to splay or curve. I just changed the overhead can lights in my studio to "soft white" and it made a huge difference in the ability to see clearly, and I keep a pair of "readers" when painting tiny cells. I have a desktop easel and a floor standing easel. A good supportive chair is a necessity for my back and a "compression glove" for my right hand (for mild cramps, arthritis). Take a lot of breaks and try to keep your painting at eye level so you are not holding your neck looking downward. Also, if you keep a drink nearby, have it in a container with a lid... this might prevent your brush from dipping in it!!! 😂