Color by Numbers for Beginners: The Complete Starter Guide
Color by numbers is one of the easiest creative hobbies to pick up: you need no drawing or painting skill at all — just a pre-printed canvas with numbered sections and the matching numbered markers. You color one section at a time, number by number, and slowly a finished painting appears under your hands. No paint, no water, no mess: just you, a cup of tea and an hour of calm at the kitchen table. In this starter guide we walk you through it step by step, so you can begin your first color by numbers project with confidence.
Quick facts
- What you need: a pre-printed canvas, the included markers and a quiet spot with good light. That is genuinely all.
- Beginner-friendly: as a starter, choose a set with 24 colors and a size around 30×40 or 40×50 cm.
- Working order: top to bottom and light to dark keeps your canvas clean and easy to follow.
- Price: a Color by Numbers Set (two canvases that share one set of markers) starts from €59.95, with free worldwide shipping.
What is color by numbers exactly?
With color by numbers you get a ready-to-go canvas with a design already pre-printed in small, numbered sections. Each number matches one marker in exactly the right color. You find the number, color the section and move on to the next one. That way you build a full painting without ever having to think about color choice or composition.
The big difference with paint by numbers (which uses acrylic paint) is that our version works with markers. No pots of paint drying out, no brush to rinse, no waiting between colors. You can stop at any moment and simply continue later — perfect if you like to work in short, relaxed sessions. Why markers are so pleasant to work with is covered in our article on color by numbers with markers instead of paint.
What do you need to get started?
The lovely thing about this hobby: you barely have to buy or prepare anything yourself. A Stitchi Studio set includes everything you need. Still, it helps to set up your spot before you begin.
- The canvas — pre-printed with numbered sections. A set gives you two canvases that share the same color palette, so one set of markers makes two matching paintings.
- The numbered markers — included as standard and matched to the numbers on your canvas.
- Good light — daylight or a bright desk lamp, so you read the small numbers effortlessly.
- A flat, sturdy surface — a table where you can lay the canvas out flat.
- A scrap of paper (optional) — to test a marker briefly before you start.
How do you begin? Step by step
Follow these steps and you will be underway within minutes:
- Find a calm spot with good light and lay your canvas flat on the table.
- Line up the markers in numbered order so you always find them quickly.
- Glance at the legend: each number matches exactly one color.
- Start at the top of the canvas and work downward, so your hand never rests on sections you just colored.
- Pick one number and color every section with that number before moving on — or work calmly zone by zone. Choose whatever feels right for you.
- Work light to dark: light colors first, dark colors last. Any small overlaps then show the least.
- At the end, check that you have not skipped an empty section anywhere.
And that is it. No mixing colors, no sketching, no fixing mistakes — the numbers do the work.
24, 36 or 48 colors: what should a beginner choose?
Our Color by Numbers Sets come in three versions. The number of colors decides how much detail and how smooth the transitions become. More colors give a more refined result, but also mean smaller sections and a little more time.
| Colors | Level | What you get | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 (Essential) | Beginner | Clear, slightly larger sections | Your very first project, quick results, relaxed coloring |
| 36 (Detailed) | Intermediate | More nuance and softer transitions | Anyone wanting a bit more challenge and detail |
| 48 (Premium) | Advanced | The finest sections, the smoothest transitions | Portraits and realistic scenes, when you take your time |
Our advice for a first time: start with 24 colors. You reach a beautiful result faster, which makes it all the more motivating. Enjoyed it and want more detail? Then happily pick a 36 or 48 color set next time. Browse the full range in the Color by Numbers collection.
Why work from top to bottom?
This one tip makes the difference between a clean canvas and accidentally smudged colors. When you start at the top and work down, your hand always rests on the part of the canvas that has not been colored yet. Start at the bottom and you would lean over sections you just finished.
Left-handed? Then work top to bottom and right to left, so your hand does not touch fresh sections sideways either. Combine this with the light-to-dark order and your result stays crisp and fresh.
Practical tips for a great result
- Take your time on edges. Gently outline a section first, then fill the middle. That keeps you neatly inside the lines.
- Color calmly and evenly. Several light layers give a more even section than pressing hard once.
- Cap your markers well. Then they will not dry out between sessions — exactly the advantage of color by numbers: you can spread it across several evenings.
- Work in the light your painting will actually hang in. Colors look different in daylight than under a lamp.
- Unsure about a number's color? Test it on a scrap of paper before you touch the canvas.
How many evenings it takes depends on the size and the number of colors. In how long does color by numbers take we give realistic time ranges per size. Curious how it compares to other relaxing crafts? Our cross stitch vs paint by numbers comparison puts them side by side.
Prefer a painting of your own photo?
You do not have to start with a ready-made design. With Custom Photo – Color by Numbers you turn a treasured photo into a numbered canvas yourself, markers included. It works exactly like this starter guide — only now you are coloring in your own memory. Rather practice on a ready-made design first? The cheerful Wildflower Garden set is a lovely, colorful start.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need drawing or painting experience?
No. Color by numbers is made specifically for anyone without experience. The canvas is already pre-printed and every number points you to exactly the right color. You never have to draw, mix or design anything yourself.
How many colors should a beginner choose?
For your first project we recommend a set with 24 colors (Essential). The sections are a little larger, so you reach a beautiful result faster. If you want more detail later, choose a 36 or 48 color set.
In what order do I color the canvas?
Work from top to bottom, so your hand rests on the still-empty sections rather than on freshly colored ones. Color light to dark as you go. If you are left-handed, also work from right to left.
What happens if I make a mistake or color outside the lines?
Small overlaps barely show, especially when you work light to dark. Outline a section gently first and then fill the middle; that keeps you neatly inside the lines almost automatically.
Can two people do a set together?
Absolutely. Because a set consists of two canvases that share the same color palette, you can work on it together: each on your own canvas, one shared set of markers. Great for an evening together or with the kids.
How long does a first project take?
That depends on the size and the number of colors. A smaller canvas with 24 colors is done in a few relaxed evenings; larger sizes with 48 colors take more time. Our article on how long color by numbers takes gives realistic ranges per size.