# Are Those "Paint By Numbers" "Painting" kits Still Around? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 20, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336 "2008-02-20T00:15:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/1 "2008-02-20T00:15:01Z")
I saw one of those horrors at a yard sale…they were preprinted canvassses, to which you applied paint to. Eventually, you wound up with something that looked like a painting. Anyway, are these things still around? do some collectors look for them? ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/2 "2008-02-20T00:17:01Z")
I hope so - I love doing them! I did one about ten years ago. It looked terrible, of course, but it was an incredibly relaxing activity for someone who loves colour but is artistically-challenged. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/3 "2008-02-20T00:23:09Z")
> **[Dimensions, Paintworks, Royal Langnickel, Reeves painting by number paint by...](https://oakridgestores.com/crafts/paint-by-numbers/)** > > Learn to Paint Art Set, Adult Art Painting Kits Paint By Number Sets, Paint ing By Numbers, Color By Number, by Dimensions, Paintworks, Royal Langnickel, Reeves. Paint like the Artist, learn to paint art, with our Acrylic Paint By Number, Oil Paint... ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/4 "2008-02-20T00:36:48Z")
A lot of arts & crafts stores sell them. If you have a Hobby Lobby near you, they will have a large selection. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/5 "2008-02-20T00:43:15Z")
The whole Paint by Numbers craze was a lot more interesting and widespread that you might think. I went to see [this exhibit](http://americanhistory.si.edu/paint/introduction.html) at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History back in 2001 and really enjoyed it. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/6 "2008-02-20T01:00:01Z")
[Another source](http://herrschners.com/depts/id-5661.html). ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/7 "2008-02-20T01:20:44Z")
I always liked the idea of paint by numbers (and its relative, where you’d peel off a numbered label and sprinkle some sort of velvety fibrous material over it to make a velvet painting) but the subject matter was always so bland and lame. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/8 "2008-02-20T09:02:06Z")
I was in a craft store last week, and they had paint by numbers in oil and acrylic. They also had pencil by numbers, which looked rather interesting. I have to admit that I have a butterfly coloring book which shows butterflies and their caterpillars. I use my BIG collection of colored pencils in it. My husband got a bit jealous, so I had to get him a coloring book, too, of race cars. Coloring is quite relaxing. Why should little kids have all the fun? ---
**Author:** ![SomeUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e480ec/32.png) [@SomeUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeUserName)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2008, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/9 "2008-02-20T10:43:48Z")
I got my daughter several of the pencil by number kits for Christmas. She really enjoyed them and framed her work. IMO they come out much nicer looking than the paint by number kits which she also enjoys. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/10 "2026-06-05T14:17:52Z")
I’m raising this zombie rather than start a new, identical thread. I just got a pair of these kits and have started this one: [Amazon.com: Mandun Paint by Numbers Kit for Adults, Dragonfly Paint by Numbers, Crafts for Adults for Wall Art Gifts 16x20 Inch](https://www.amazon.com/Numbers-Dragonfly-Beginners-Acrylic-Painting/dp/B0DSVM29JN/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=OI4JXVSCBM5Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ApcdRqi1FeTC92UotkUCzrLxWUMNRl8Mn-J_Wyi6t1Ta8n9-piVcuklU5fOWCqSusOvDiNdqQaQaBdHeuGpj3VCjFwx68afoTsd6MJo1y5J_tixZZhE804M31yS-Uq38sbfUnP7sYJIMp-hwLG5KQxkbD2Dopo2jmFla1I6qs7sFlB6HdRpv732BDKG8PPPQRdsRovywRH8vdYOLNzJTmmacGLu1CRkWQL4TBNfmBHTn3uenr5ljou8czSTLWJlkGUm76zFiCSUvxwhFOWSKbFqcfWxE8EgfWDuBCFk67o8.iEr0w_CNNTbcWaBb3zsyAF9_IXrfgCS--4f1-C7ZKsc&dib_tag=se&keywords=paint%2Bby%2Bnumbers%2BDragonfly&qid=1780668736&sprefix=paint%2Bby%2Bnumbers%2Bdragonfly%2Caps%2C674&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1) I find that the paint is still a little difficult to use. It’s too thick to use straight from the source, but thinning it enough to work it reduces the opacity so much that I have to go back and put in two or three layers. I think I may try using some of my mini figurine paints. Especially for black which covers a lot of the painting. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/11 "2026-06-05T14:25:35Z")
My god, those pictures are insane! Even paint-by-number, I don’t think I have the skills to make them turn out like that, but I’m tempted. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/12 "2026-06-05T14:33:44Z")
Work your way up to more complicated things with Mondrian or a Mike Rothko Paint by Numbers These really eist! > **[Mondrian Pattern - Paint By Numbers - Num Paint Kit](https://numpaint.com/products/mondrian-pattern-paint-by-number/)** > > Buy colorful art pattern by piet mondrian paint By Numbers kit or check our new collections canvas paint by number for adult [https://www.etsy.com/market/mark\_rothko\_paint\_by\_numbers](https://www.etsy.com/market/mark_rothko_paint_by_numbers) ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/13 "2026-06-05T15:05:02Z")
The Satellite of Love already invented the Paint by number Rothko in the 90’s. ETA: Episode 419 (The Rebel Set) in 1992. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/14 "2026-06-05T16:56:23Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > My god, those pictures are insane! Even paint-by-number, I don’t think I have the skills to make them turn out like that, but I’m tempted. I think that I am going to have to revise my expectations of progress in order to paint effectively. The funny part is that it’s easier to do the small “dots” than the larger splotches. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/15 "2026-06-05T17:03:31Z")
Ahh, @Hypno-Toad you’re a Post-impressionist at heart. BTW ..if I was to get into this heavily, I might purchase a set of decent oils. ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2026, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/16 "2026-06-05T23:03:50Z")
I recently completed two paint-by-numbers canvases created from photographs I sent to the vendor. There are quite a few such vendors now. I also enjoy painting my own compositions in both oils and acrylics, but painting a rendering of my own grandchildren was very relaxing and lots of fun (and popular with the family). ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/17 "2026-06-07T22:17:38Z")
Ignore if this is too much of a highjack but I just started a latch hook pillowcase because I had to do _something_ with where I am in my life right now. I remembered doing it when I was young and now it all of a sudden here I am painting by yarn numbers. There are very intricate ones but I need a relaxing time passer and so my pattern is simple. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/18 "2026-06-09T16:44:10Z")
I had trouble with paint blobs and runs with paint by number. I prefer the colored pencils. I do like the abstract paint by numbers. It doesn’t require as much precise techniques. > **[Heart Paint By Numbers Kit | Hobby Lobby | 6301303](https://www.hobbylobby.com/spring-shop/spring-crafts/spring-craft-kits/heart-paint-by-numbers-kit/p/81215463)** > > Show your love for art by completing this Heart Paint By Numbers Kit! This kit features a printed piece of canvas embellished with an abstract heart design. Each accent is numbered for you to match with the labeled paint pods to give the design an... ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/19 "2026-06-09T17:27:29Z")
Tonight, I’m going to try laying down a base coat of white mini paint on the light colored sections so I can get better coverage on those parts. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336/20 "2026-06-09T19:47:57Z")
Covid really gave paint-by-numbers a huge boost. My teenaged-at-the-time kids did a ton of them, including Starry Night and The Scream. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-paint-by-numbers-painting-kits-still-around/438336.md?page=2)