When people think of painting, their minds often jump to traditional tools: brushes dipped in oils, abstract splashes on giant canvases, or hyper-realistic portraits done in delicate watercolours. But here’s the truth: you don’t need an art degree or a studio setup to start painting.
At Kiki’s Club, we believe the joy of painting starts with something simple, grounding, and good for your nervous system like paint by numbers.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most popular painting techniques, starting with acrylics and gently explore where your creativity can take you next.
1. Acrylics: Beginner-Friendly, Bold, and Forgiving
Acrylic paint is water-based, fast-drying, and vibrant. That’s why we use acrylic paints in all our paint by number kits. They’re easy to work with, beginner-friendly, and don’t require any special setup (no turpentine, no fancy brushes, no mess).
With Kiki’s paint by numbers, you’ll learn:
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How to layer colours because acrylics allow you to build up layers of color or texture. Apply a base layer, let it dry, and then add details or highlights on top.
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How paint behaves on canvas. Acrylics allow you to build up layers of color or texture. Apply a base layer, let it dry, and then add details or highlights on top.
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How to dry brush using minimal paint on a dry brush to create texture and visible brushstrokes.
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How soothing it feels to focus on one brushstroke at a time
It's the perfect intro to painting especially if you're feeling anxious, burned out, or simply want to reconnect with your creative side.
Oil Painting: For When You’re Ready to Slow All the Way Down
Oil paints are rich, slow-drying, and often used in classic portraiture and still life. They allow for lots of blending and texture, but they can feel overwhelming to beginners. You’ll need solvents, patience, and a dedicated space.
Feeling curious about oils? Try one of our more detailed kits first to build confidence around layering and blending in a safe, stress-free way to prep your skills before you upgrade to oil painting.
Techniques to Try
- Wet-on-wet: This technique involves applying wet paint on top of wet paint, allowing for smooth blending and rich, deep colors.
- Glazing: Apply thin layers of transparent paint over a dry layer to build depth and luminosity in your work. This is particularly useful for creating realistic skin tones or glowing effects.
- Impasto: Thickly applying oil paint to the canvas to create texture and dimension. This can be done with a palette knife or a brush.
3. Watercolours: Beautifully Fluid, Slightly Wild
Watercolours are beloved for their softness and transparency. They’re often used in botanical illustrations and dreamy landscapes, but they require a totally different technique: more water, less control. It’s more about suggestion than precision.
Paint by numbers won’t teach you how to master watercolours, but it will teach you patience, colour discipline, and brush control. All useful if you decide to experiment with watercolours later.
Brush Up on This Technique
- Wet-on-wet: Apply wet paint onto a wet surface for fluid, blending effects and soft edges. This technique is great for creating atmospheric backgrounds or abstract effects.
- Wet-on-dry: Apply wet paint onto dry paper for more defined edges and control over details.
- Layering: Build up light, transparent layers of color to create depth and variation in your painting.
4. Gouache Painting
Gouache is similar to watercolor but more opaque, offering greater coverage and a matte finish. Like watercolor, it is water-based but allows for more solid, vibrant colors. Gouache is a favorite among illustrators and designers because of its flexibility and vibrant color payoff.
Techniques to Try
- Opaque layering: Since gouache dries opaque, you can layer lighter colors over darker ones to create dynamic compositions.
- Flat washes: Gouache is excellent for creating even, flat washes of color without streaks.
- Detailing: Its creamy consistency allows for crisp lines and detailed work, making it ideal for precise illustrations.
5. Mixed Media
Mixed media combines different painting techniques and materials to create unique effects and textures. This approach lets you blend acrylics with pastels, watercolors with ink, or even oils with textured mediums. It encourages experimentation and opens new avenues for creativity.
Signature Moves of This Medium
- Collage and layering: Combine paint with paper, fabric, or textured materials for a multi-dimensional effect.
- Acrylic underpainting: Start with an acrylic base and layer other media such as oil paint or pastels over it for different textures and finishes.
- Mixed media washes: Combine watercolor or acrylic washes with pen, ink, or charcoal for a detailed, layered composition.
6. Pastel Painting
While not a traditional paint, pastels are a versatile medium for creating richly colored works. Available in soft, hard, and oil pastels, they offer a direct and tactile way to blend and layer colors without the need for brushes or solvents.
Techniques to Try
- Blending with fingers or tools: Smoothly blend colors using your fingers, blending stumps, or soft cloths to create soft gradients or transitions.
- Layering: Apply multiple layers of pastel to build up color and create depth. Hard pastels can be used for base layers, while soft pastels are perfect for finishing touches.
- Sgraffito: Scrape through a top layer of pastel to reveal the color underneath, creating texture and contrast.
You Don’t Need to Choose a “Real” Technique
At Kiki’s Club, we want to remind you: you don’t need to graduate from paint by numbers to be an artist. You’re already creating. You’re already expressing something personal.
If, down the line, you want to explore oils or try freeform acrylics. Amazing. But if your ritual is a cup of tea and an hour with your paint by numbers, that’s just as valid, just as nourishing, and just as beautiful.
Ready to Start?
Our destination kits are a great way to explore colour, technique, and flow. All without the stress of a blank canvas. Explore our full collection here and pick a design that fits your mood, your space, or your next self-care Sunday.
Also read: The Power of Minimalism in Painting: Less is More