II became hooked on painting by numbers in April 2021 when I completed my first canvas, Meadow Menagerie. Since then, I’ve finished sixteen more and am currently working on number eighteen. It has become a relaxing and satisfying hobby that I look forward to whenever I feel in the mood to pick up a brush. There’s never a rush — each painting takes the time it takes.

Most of my kits came from Masterpiece by Numbers, though I’ve recently tried Canvas by Numbers as well. I work with acrylics and use Winsor & Newton’s Artists’ Acrylic Flow Improver to keep the paint flowing smoothly. Once finished, I seal the surface with Mod Podge to protect the artwork, then build a custom frame in my workshop. Stretching and stapling the canvas is part of the fun, and so far I’ve found plenty of wall space to display my work — though with a big house filling up, that could eventually be a challenge!

Most of my paintings are 16″ x 20″, but my most recent, Land of Hope, was a larger 20″ x 24″. I’m even considering tackling a 24″ x 30″ piece next — something completely different. With seventeen paintings complete and more to come, I can say this is one hobby I highly recommend.