Paint-by-Number kits were first developed in 1950 by Max S. Klein, an engineer at and owner of the Palmer Paint Company in Michigan. In March 1951, shoppers of all ages descended on Macy’s in New York City’s Herald Square. Palmer Paint introduced the Craft Master brand which sold over 12 million kits. Paint-by-Number kits have sections with different numbers showing which colors should be used to paint them in. They allow you to develop your creativity by yourself.
In March 1951, shoppers of all ages descended on Macy’s in New York City’s Herald Square. Eager customers packed in for a glimpse of the first in-store demonstration of a new craft project called Paint-by-Number. They swarmed the demonstrators and bought multiple sets without hesitation. Anyone present could see that the kit had mass appeal. There was just one problem. The customers were mostly actors. The creators of the phenomenon would never know for sure. The rush on Macy’s was part of one of the most brilliant publicity stunts in the history of art or business.
When Dan Robbins, the thirteenth employee of Detroit-based Palmer Paint Co., read that Leonardo da Vinci taught his apprentices the basics of painting by using numbered patterns on a canvas, he suspected the idea might have wider appeal. So he worked to put out a new product that would delight aspiring artists of all ages. Paint-by-Number isn’t just a fun pastime. It is also one rich with benefits. A few include…
·
Decreased
stress —A
stylish way for adults to lower stress is by coloring. Could it be that
Painting-by-Number would have the same effects as coloring? Adult coloring
generates wellness, quietness, and stimulates brain areas related to motor
skills, the senses, and creativity. Like coloring, Painting-by-Number requires
a good bit of focus, stirs creativity, and calms the senses.
·
Encourages
other artistic endeavors — It’s possible that some artists started out Painting-by-Number.
Maybe Paint-by-Number was their first-ever experience with art. This painting
technique could reveal a love for art that you were previously unaware of.
Don’t be surprised if Painting-by-Number leads to engaging in more serious
artistic endeavors. At the very least, it will be fun and offer you a creative
outlet.
·
Increased
hand-eye coordination
—This is important because developing hand-eye coordination may result in
better reaction times as well as enhanced agility and athleticism. It may also
improve your typing skills, which can help you become more productive at work.
The
beauty of painting-by-number is that one doesn’t have to be an artist, or even
be artistic, to make the system work. When executed as the directions command,
a beautiful piece of art will result. A love for art and a somewhat steady hand
are the only prerequisites to Painting-by-Number successfully. Here are a few
tips to make your lovely creation outstanding:
·
Before
you begin, clear a flat area. Have a cup of water and paper towel handy to
clean brushes.
·
Clean
brushes when they start to get unusable. Make sure the tops are completely
closed when you’re done with them to prevent drying.
·
Try
working from top to bottom.
·
Paint
with the lightest or darkest colors first. ThoughtCo
stated, “Start with either the
darkest color or end with the lightest or the other way around, leaving any
segments that have a mixed color (double number) till last. The reason I
recommend doing the colors in sequence from dark to light (or the other way
around) is that this helps you learn a little about the tone and chroma of
colors.”
·
If
you don’t want to work with the brushes Paint-by-Number kits come with, you may
want to buy your own at a craft store. In particular, you may want to have a
larger brush on hand not just the very small ones offered in the kits.
·
Some
canvases come wrinkled. Spray a light mist of water on the canvas and iron on a
low setting on the back side to press out any wrinkles before you begin
painting.
·
Paint
with just one color at a time, beginning with the largest areas meant for the
color.
·
“You’ll
notice some shapes have two numbers in them not just one,” stated ThoughtCo. “This indicates that you need to mix two colors together.
Equal proportions should give you a suitable color, but don’t dip your brush
from one paint container into the next as you’ll contaminate the colors.”
“The minute there's a map, there is no art. Paint by numbers is not
art. Paint by numbers is a mechanical activity.”
(Seth Godin)[i]
 |
| Paint=-by-Number kit |
[i] Sources used:
·
“Everything You Need to Know About Paint-by-Number”
by Jessica 0 Comments
·
“Paint-by-numbers” by Oxford Dictionaries
·
“The 11 Reasons Why People
Are Going Crazy Over Paint by Numbers Kits” by Anza San Francisco
·
“The History of Paint-by-Numbers” BY Zac Bissonette
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