Paint Your Numbers

How to Create Your Own Pet's Portrait

Just about everyone has a four-legged friend close to their heart. It doesn't matter if it's a dog, cat, or pot-bellied pig, our pets matter a lot. They give us so much!

 Just like with your human friends, sometimes you want a way to express how important your pet is to you. Pictures on your phone are fine, but sometimes you want something more permanent. One of the best options to remember your favorite animal in a long-lasting way is with a custom portrait. It's a great way to transform your pet into a piece of art that will last for years to come and add some class to any space. 

As great as this idea sounds, there are some issues. First, it's kind of hard to get your pet to sit still long enough for someone to paint them. Also (and this is a pretty big problem for most of us), portraits are seriously expensive. A commissioned portrait could cost more than your car! Don't get us wrong; we love our pets too, but that's a bit more than we have in the home decorating budget. Don't give up hope, because at Paint Your Numbers, we have exactly the thing you need to create your own pet's portrait in a fun and interesting way.

All you have to do is send us one of your favorite photos of the special pet, and we'll send you a custom paint by numbers kit so that you can create a one-of-a-kind portrait of your animal. It is designed to be easy and simple. No previous art experience is necessary to get a great result. The best way to create your own pet portrait is to use one of our intuitive kits. 

Pets in Art

Wanting your favorite animals immortalized in art is something humans have done for almost as long as we've kept pets. Experts have discovered art dedicated to specific dogs going back as far as 3,500 years ago. Even before that, the Egyptians used to mummify cats owned by important people, and if you go to a major museum today, there's a chance you might see one of these ancient felines. You're really not alone in wanting a pet portrait, although it's never been easier than it is now to get a custom painting made of your pet.

The Paint Your Numbers System 

Our system is specifically designed to allow you to paint whatever you want in the easiest way possible. We make custom paint by numbers kits to help you get started creating. This method tears down a lot of the barriers that have traditionally kept people from painting. Our process works by taking an image you upload to us and breaking it down into separate shapes. When you receive a kit, you can fill in the spaces by matching each number to a corresponding color. Once you've colored in all the shapes, you’ll be left with the beautiful pet portrait of your dreams!

The History of Paint by Numbers

Paint by numbers has actually been around for longer than you think. It was invented by the great painter Leonardo Da Vinci. Apart from being an early animal rights activist, he pioneered this art technique. Leonardo would draw in the outlines in certain paintings, and number the shapes he drew. Da Vinci would then have his apprentices color in the shapes to finish them according to a series of numbered colors. So when you use our kits, you paint just like the greats did.

By the 1950s, paint by number was a major trend. Famous artists like Andy Warhol used this method to express themselves.  Back then, just like today, paint by number was a valuable way for busy people to set aside time for art.  It was an attractive way for people who didn't have years of expensive art school to create.

But these kits were limited. Back then you only had a choice between the options in a catalog. But you don't want some premade painting. You want a painting of your pet. And we can offer you a custom paint by number portrait for less than you might think. 

How to Start

Getting going is really easy, and our website is intuitive and will guide you through the process. We've satisfied over 30,00 customers so far; and how can that many people be wrong? To make it even easier we broke it down into three simple steps.

The Paint Your Numbers System

Upload Your Image

This first step is to upload your image to our website. Once you choose your favorite picture of your pet, decide what size canvas you want. No matter if you just want something small for your shelves or a dramatic statement piece, you'll have plenty of options. No matter the size you select, the canvas will look great. We have lots of options to suit your needs. Whether you have a perfect photo of your furry friend or couldn't quite get them to sit still, we will make sure that the end result turns out great.

After we receive your photo, we'll get right to work transforming it onto a high-quality canvas. This is exactly the same material that paintings in a fancy art gallery are made with. Your image will be turned into a detailed paint by numbers scheme that's completely unique to your image. 

Complete Your Order

Finishing your order is just as easy as uploading your image. Before you finish you'll have the option to add a few extras. Our custom DIY frame kit is a great addition to your portrait. It has a sleek and classy construction that would look at home anywhere. It comes in a durable plain wood finish that looks great. If you want, you can turn your creative genius loose on the frame, too, and paint it however you like. Nothing completes a portrait like a frame, and our kit comes with everything you need to construct the perfect one! 

Once you've made your decision, there's one last thing to do. At Paint Your Numbers, we know that one of the worst things about shopping online is dealing with shipping, so we decided to offer free worldwide shipping. All you have to do is plug in your information, and in around three weeks, your one-of-a-kind kit will be at your door. 

Time to Get Creative!

Once you've received your kit, the real fun part starts. The Paint Your Numbers kit comes with everything you need to complete your unique portrait. All of the paints, brushes, and other equipment are included! Our kits are deliberately crafted to be easy and fun for all skill levels. 

There are a few tips to remember so you can get a result that will leave you, and your pet happy!

  • Start with the largest shapes first: Prioritize the largest shapes in your image. Finishing these first will get you comfortable with the brush more quickly, and make it easier to see how the picture is coming to life. 
  • Take a picture before you start: It may sound strange, but this helps you remember exactly how your painting is supposed to turn out. You always want to have a reference for what color belongs in each blank.
  • Clean your brushes: A clean brush is much easier to use, and if the paint dries it can completely ruin your tool. Clean after each use and whenever you change colors to ensure they last for a long time.
  • Only use one color at a time: This is the best way to ensure that you don't miss anything and also a good way to be sure that colors will only mix when you want them to.

It's just as simple as it sounds. As long as you go slowly, you'll have a great portrait of your pet in no time!

The best way to create your own pet portrait is to do it yourself! Using a Paint Your Numbers kit is a great way to make sure that you will get the best result possible for the best price possible. It's never been easier to make a portrait of your pet than it is now.


Sources:

https://www.penn.museum/documents/publications/expedition/PDFs/53-3/kitchell.pdf 

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2011/nov/30/leonardo-da-vinci-animal-rights-activist 

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/shortcuts/2019/apr/05/from-warhol-to-minimalism-how-painting-by-numbers-revolutionised-art