I’d like to sit here and tell you that I’ve got a new trend for you. That I’ve come up with the most clever thing ever. That’d be a big ‘ol lie. I didn’t invent paint-by-number. It’s been around for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, I remember getting a paint-by-number set depicting a puppy running by a lake…cause you know, that’s apparently what puppies do. It kept me occupied for hours. And even though I didn’t invent paint-by-number, I am pretty excited to say that with the help of K.Becca and the Canon PIXMA MG7720 printer, paint-by-number is now just a click away.
After several rounds of printable coloring pages, I bet you didn’t expect us to flip the script and give you a free printable paint-by-number design. This baby has been in the works for a couple of months and I’m not gonna lie – it’s my favorite K.Becca and I collaborated and man, oh man, she knocked this one out of the park. The girl is good. Really, really good.
Believe it or not, this all started with a photo of a succulent plant which K.Becca turned into a paint-by-number illustration that you can download below and print on your PIXMA MG7720.
To make this a completely fool-proof project, we’ve also created a color key including the name of each paint color you need to fill in every piece of this printable paint-by-number design.
TIPS FOR PRINTING YOUR PAINT-BY-NUMBER DESIGN
- Select “Borderless Printing” for Letter paper size on your printer. This way, you’ll get perfect edge-to-edge lines to follow when you’re painting
- Print onto Printable Fabric. This will give your finished piece texture and it will look like a vintage piece of art. Don’t worry –PIXMA MG7720 can handle this printable fabric without a problem. Leave the setting on “Matte Paper” and print away.
- Print two copies of the design. One onPrintable Fabric to paint and another on plain paper to reference while you work. This way, you can look back at the blank version to see what numbers you’ve already worked on.
TIPS FOR PAINTING YOUR PAINT-BY-NUMBER DESIGN
- Work one number at a time. Fight the urge to jump around! Painting one number at a time will keep you organized and minimize mess ups.
- Paint areas 1, 2 and 3 last. This allows you to use the background to clean up the edges of the plant image.
- When mixing colors, mix plenty from the start. This way, you’ll have more paint if you need it later to fill in sections or go over certain areas.
- Store your paints in plastic paint pots labeled by number. This way, you’ll easily be able to find the color you need and you’ll be able to go back and grab a color if you miss a spot.
- Use larger paint pots for colors 1, 2, and 3 since you’ll use more of them. If you can’t find larger paint pots, just fill a few of the smaller paint pots with colors 1, 2 and 3 so you have plenty on hand.
- Just like coloring, take your time! This is not the sort of thing you are going to finish in one sitting. I completed mine over the course of a week.
- Keep a cup of water and an old towel nearby to quickly clean your brushes as you work and move from one color of paint to another.
When you have painted the entire image, frame it! I opted for an 11×14 ornate frame that reminds me of a modern version of something you’d find in an antique shop. Use a piece of washi tape to secure your painting to the inside of the mat and hang it on the wall.
PRO TIP: Don’t forget the PIXMA MG7720 has a scanner! You can scan your finished painted masterpiece and print it in different sizes for other crafty projects.
DOWNLOAD YOUR PRINTABLE PAINT BY NUMBER & COLOR KEY
Illustration: K.Becca
Styling & Crafting: Amber Kemp-Gerstel
A shout out to Canon for sponsoring this content. All ideas, opinions and silly anecdotes are mine, all mine. Thanks for supporting all the amazing sponsors who help keep the lights on in this joint.
We love paint by numbers in our house, and this design is very pretty. I downloaded the instructions, but there was no outline page for printing – just a coloured picture.
Katie I had the same problem, no idea how to get a paintable version to print.
Hey Katie and Rona – Have you actually printed out the PDF yet? Did it print out colored? Sometimes, the image shows up as colored in but it actually prints as an outlined image.
Amber,
I printed it and got the colored copy not outlined. Still trying to figure out what I need to do.
Thanks,
Ronna
Ronna – will you send me an email at [email protected] and I’ll email you the PDF and maybe that will work. I’m not sure why you’re getting the colored version of the PDF. I know there are several other people who’ve been able to download and print out the outlined version. I’ll do what I can to help out!
I used to love doing paint by numbers as a kid too! And this one rocks!
This is so cool! And the finished painting looks great!
Looks great!
Love this illustration but the download prints a color copy and all numbers aren’t readable and can’t be painted on. There is no blank copy to print and paint as shown in the tutorial. What do I need to do to get the paintable version?
Shut the front DOOR, this is amazing!! I love it!
I kinda LOVE these tips, lol. Who knew you’d need some clever tips for Paint By Numbers? It turned out so beautiful too!
-Clarissa @ The View From Here
Really loved this design but when I try to open the PDF it says the file is empty 🙁
me too. 🙁
So sorry that you’re having trouble! I’ve just updated the post to include new download links. You’ll see them at the top of the post. I hope this helps!
I haven’t been able to download the printable design to paint. Is this only available if I have the little Cannon printer that is advertised?
Thanks for your help.
So sorry that you’re having trouble! I’ve just updated the post to include new download links. You’ll see them at the top of the post. I hope this helps!
Hi! Can you also send me the black and white version?
Me too. Even the new link is still just showing the colored image with the outline layover. 🙁
How do I convert my image to paint by number?
Could I also get a copy of the paint by number version? [email protected]
It turned out beautiful. I can see this done and then sewn into a bag for everyday.Thanks Amber good job.
I’d love the already painted file 🙂 Can I download that on your site somewhere?
Hi, I was wondering what you used to mount the fabric on. I don’t want the fabric I printed on to be too floppy when I
paint on it.
Thanks,
Lynn
I was able to print the download with no problem on my laser printer. Wish there was a version without the numbers shown so it could be done in watercolor but no worries, I’ll use the acrylics. I note that the particular Canon printer listed is no longer available though. 🙁 Thanks for sharing!
You are a genius!!! This is so cool! I love you!!!! It is “paint date” today with my BF and we’re doing this! 🙂
Unable to print without the color already filled in! Any help available?
I would a paint by number picture of my gradson’s graduation picture if possible please let me know’at dkrattz1935yahoo.com or my address is following
I am also having problems printing- can you please send me the printable version? I tried and it gives me a colored-in version.
I haven’t downloaded it yet, but looking forward to painting it. Some other designs would be fun to go along with that one.
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Sometimes, the image shows up as colored in but it actually prints as an outlined image. Krunker io