Worried a kit will be too hard, or unsure how many colors you actually need? Here's the short version. Paint by numbers is a beginner-friendly craft where you fill numbered sections of a canvas with matching, pre-mixed paints. Paint by numbers difficulty levels come down to three things: the color count, the size of each numbered section, and your subject.
For a first project, 20 to 24 colors is the sweet spot. Get those three factors right, and the hobby stays relaxing instead of frustrating. Below, we explain what these paint by numbers difficulty levels really mean, what truly makes a kit harder, and how to pick the one that fits you. For now, you can browse along in our paint by numbers kits.
Key Takeaways
- Beginner kits usually carry about 20 to 24 colors. Detailed, portrait-style kits climb to 48 or more.
- Difficulty is driven more by section size and subject than by the color number alone.
- Match a kit's challenge to your skill. Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi's idea of "flow" places enjoyment between boredom and frustration.
- You don't need to be artistic to benefit. A 2016 Drexel University study found 45 minutes of art-making lowered stress-hormone levels in most people, regardless of skill.
- Pre-mixed paints and roomy sections make a kit easier. Having to mix your own colors makes it harder.
What do paint by numbers difficulty levels mean?
A difficulty level is a rough rating of how much skill, patience, and time a kit needs. Most brands sort kits into three of them: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. A few add an "expert" tier on top. However, the quickest signal of a kit's level is still its color count.
As a rough guide, beginner kits carry around 24 colors, intermediate kits about 36, and advanced kits 48 or more. In our experience, that number rarely tells the whole story, yet it remains a useful first filter when you're scanning a shop. The format has welcomed first-timers for decades, too. In fact, by 1954 more than 12 million kits had sold, according to the Smithsonian's history of the craft. So if you feel unsure, you're in very good company.
What makes a kit harder than its color count suggests?
Color count is only part of the story. For example, two kits with the same number of paints can feel completely different in practice. Each numbered area is a cell, and a cell is just one shape you fill with a single color. Therefore, before you judge a kit by its number alone, weigh the four factors below.
Section size and fine detail
The biggest driver is how small the numbered sections are. Tiny cells demand a steady hand, good light, and patience. Because product photos are shrunk to fit the canvas, a busy design often hides far more little sections than it first appears, so the kit feels harder in person than it looked on screen. In addition, soft gradients raise the difficulty, since you blend between shades rather than simply fill them in. A flat block of one color is forgiving; a sky that fades from deep blue to pale cream is not. As a rule, count the smallest sections, not just the colors. If they look thinner than your brush tip, expect slow, careful work. Our guide to blending colors like a pro covers the trickiest of those transitions.
Canvas size
Notably, canvas size quietly changes everything. The same image on a smaller canvas means smaller, more crowded cells, and therefore a harder paint. The standard size is 40 by 50 cm, or about 16 by 20 inches. Compact formats like our mini paint by numbers sets are charming, but their cells can get fiddly.
Your subject
Subject matters as much as numbers. Portraits and faces are the hardest, because skin tones rely on subtle, gradual shifts. On the other hand, bold abstracts, simple animals, landscapes, and florals are far friendlier for beginners. If you're set on a face, our portrait kits are worth saving for a second or third project.
Pre-mixed or mix-your-own paint
Pre-mixed paint is paint that arrives ready to use, with no mixing required. Some brands ship paints you have to combine yourself, which can rattle a beginner. Most kits, including ours, come pre-mixed. In addition, our Extra Thick Paint covers the printed numbers in fewer coats, so you fight the lines less.
How many colors should you choose?
To start, pick the color count that matches the result you want and the time you'll enjoy spending. This ladder is a common industry guide, not a strict rule.
| Colors | Level | What it feels like | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~24 | Beginner | Larger sections, fewer color changes, quicker to finish | First-timers, kids, quick wins |
| ~36 | Intermediate | More detail and gentle shading, a balanced challenge | Returning hobbyists |
| 48+ | Advanced | Fine shading, subtle transitions, tiny sections | Experienced painters, portraits, realism |
If you can't decide, start lower. In any case, finishing a 24-color piece feels better than abandoning a 48-color one. With our custom paint by numbers kits, you choose the color count yourself, so you can dial the same photo up or down.
Match the difficulty to your skill
Above all, the real goal isn't the easiest kit, or the most impressive one. Instead, it's the kit that matches your current skill. Flow is the absorbing state where a task is neither boring nor overwhelming, a sweet spot named by psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi.
Too easy, and you'll lose interest. Too hard, and you'll feel frustrated. As a result, the right challenge sits in between, as the chart shows.
And you don't need to be artistic to feel the benefit. A 2016 Drexel University study found that 45 minutes of art-making lowered stress-hormone levels in most participants. Notably, the effect held regardless of prior art experience.
Which difficulty level is right for you?
Here's where to start, depending on who's painting.
Complete beginners
First, choose about 24 colors, a simple subject, and a standard 40 by 50 cm canvas. Skip portraits for now. Our complete beginner's guide covers the first session step by step.
Kids
Similarly, kids do best with fewer colors, larger sections, and a playful subject. Our breakdown of kids versus adult kits explains the difference in detail and grip-friendly design.
Returning hobbyists
Meanwhile, if you've finished a kit or two, a 36-color intermediate piece adds detail and gentle shading without feeling like a marathon.
Advanced painters
Finally, advanced painters can reach for 48-plus colors, fine sections, and ambitious subjects like portraits or photorealistic scenes. Of course, budget more time and set up good lighting.
How we make picking your level easier
We built our kits to take the guesswork out of difficulty. For example, our Color Preview Before Order lets you see the finished look first, and our Smart Sectioning Algorithm keeps sections as clean and paintable as possible.
In addition, the paints arrive pre-mixed, and our custom kits let you set the color count. We've shipped kits at every level, so we've watched which choices people finish and which they abandon. With the biggest collection online, you can filter by subject and difficulty level until the challenge feels right. In our experience, that filter spares beginners the most common regret: a kit that looks lovely in the photo but feels punishing on the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, kits with 48 or more colors are the most challenging. They pack in fine detail, tiny sections, and subtle shading. Around 36 colors is a comfortable middle, while 24 or fewer suits beginners. Even so, a bold 48-color abstract can be easier than a detailed 24-color portrait.
Not always. Color count is a useful signal, but section size and subject matter more. A bold design with large sections stays relaxing even with many colors. However, a busy design with tiny cells is tough even with few. In short, the design beats the number.
Generally, start with about 20 to 24 colors, a simple subject like a landscape or flower, and a standard 40 by 50 cm canvas. Avoid portraits at first. Most beginner guides agree this range gives enough variety to look polished without overwhelming you with tiny sections.
Yes. The same image on a smaller canvas squeezes the numbered sections into tighter spaces, which is harder to paint neatly. By contrast, a larger canvas gives roomier cells and is often easier, though it takes more time. The standard 40 by 50 cm is a safe starting size.
Yes. For instance, bright, daylight-style lighting and a magnifier help with tiny numbers. Thinning thick paint slightly and using a fine brush, like a size 00 or 000, improves control. Work from the top down, take regular breaks, and finish one section at a time.
Ultimately, paint by numbers difficulty levels aren't about talent. They're about fit. Match the color count, section size, and subject to where you are now, and every kit becomes a calm, finishable project. When you're ready to level up, the next one is just a few more colors away.
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