Level Up: How to Make Your Paint by Numbers Look Like a Real Oil Painting

You have mastered the basics. You know how to keep your brushes clean, you know to paint from top to bottom, and you have finished a few beautiful kits.

But if you look closely, you might still see it: the "blocky" look.

Standard Paint by Numbers kits are made of distinct shapes. While this makes them easy to paint, it can sometimes leave hard, sharp lines between colors—especially in areas that should be soft, like a sunset sky, a fluffy cloud, or a cheek on a portrait.

Ready to take your art to the next level? Here are two professional secrets—Flow Improver and Blending—that will transform your kit from a "coloring project" into a masterpiece that looks like a genuine oil painting.

 

1. The Secret Ingredient: Flow Improver

 

Have you ever felt like your acrylic paint was a little too thick? Or that it "dragged" across the canvas rather than gliding smoothly?

Acrylic paint dries very fast and can sometimes be heavy. Professional artists use a liquid called Flow Improver (or Flow Aid).

• What it does: It breaks the surface tension of the water in the paint. This makes the paint feel "looser" and creamier without losing its color strength. It creates long, smooth strokes that look like oil paint.

• How to use it: You can buy a bottle of Flow Improver at any art store. Dip your brush into the improver, then into your paint.

• The DIY Hack: If you don't have Flow Improver, water works too! Just add one or two drops of water to your paint pot and stir with a toothpick until it has the consistency of heavy cream. This helps the paint lay flat on the canvas, hiding the texture of the canvas weave.

 

2. The "Zig-Zag" Blending Method

 

This is the number one technique for getting rid of those hard, artificial lines between numbers. It is perfect for skies, water, and backgrounds.

The Golden Rule: You must work while the paint is wet.

How to do it:

1. Paint Color A: Fill in the first numbered section (e.g., a dark blue sky).

2. Paint Color B: Immediately fill in the neighbor section (e.g., a lighter blue). Do not let them dry!

3. The Blend: Wipe your brush off so it is dry (but don't rinse it). quickly run the brush back and forth in a "Zig-Zag" or "X" motion right over the line where the two colors meet.

4. The Result: The wet paints will mix slightly on the canvas, creating a soft, fuzzy transition instead of a sharp line.

 

3. Feathering (Softening Edges)

 

If you have a large area that needs to look soft (like animal fur or hair), the "Block-and-Line" method doesn't look natural. Instead, try Feathering.

Instead of painting a solid block up to the line, flick your brush quickly at the edge of the shape. This creates tiny, uneven strokes that look like strands of hair or fur. When you paint the next color beside it, flick that color back into the first one. This creates a textured, realistic look that adds depth to your painting.

 

embrace the Imperfection

 

The beauty of a real painting is that it isn't perfect. By blurring lines and adding flow, you are removing the "computer-generated" look of the numbered grid and adding your own artistic touch.

Grab your brushes and give it a try—you will be amazed at the difference!