An overview and tips for drawing paintings by numbers on the theme "Landscapes"

Drawing by numbers (numbers) has already been discussed by more than one wave of skeptics, but the popularity of such creativity is not diminishing in the meantime. Because, even with the help of mathematics and little tricks, you still manage to feel like an artist. And decorate with a landscape, for example, some cozy corner of the house.

Paint by number - An affordable creative kit that includes everything you need to bring a blank canvas to a finished landscape... Unless a jar of water is included with the kit, but the acrylic paints used in the kit do not require as much water as watercolor does.

What should be in a quality set of "Landscapes" drawing by numbers:

• Stretched canvas. Ideally, this is a full-fledged wooden stretcher, but in cheap kits, you may find completely flat canvases on a thin plywood blank. It is not so convenient to mount them on the wall later as a real canvas. A pattern has already been applied on the white canvas, which will need to be filled with color according to the numbers.

• A colored example of a finished landscape. In addition to the image, there should be a separate reference leaflet on the thick cardboard packaging.

• Checklist. On it you need to check the drawing on the canvas, to understand that they do not differ, then the work will be of high quality, without flaws. It is also convenient to check the shades on the control sheet.

• Acrylic paints... Exactly the colors that are used in this landscape. The paints must be well closed with lids, otherwise they dry out. The amount of paint in a jar is sufficient (often even excessive) for a particular landscape.

• Set of brushes... Typically, this set includes 4 brushes: wide, medium and 2 thin.You can also use your own brushes.

• Jar of white paint... It is used as a corrector.

• Wall mountings. A complete set for safely hanging the finished landscape on the wall.

• Varnish mixture... It is not in every kit, but it may well be, along with a brush. Since the picture will not be behind glass, the lacquer layer is very appropriate - both as protection of the canvas, and as an aesthetic completion of the work.

Exactly those types of landscapes that exist in traditional painting are on sale. Consider the most popular landscapes in drawing by numbers.

• Urban... In this direction, impressionistic landscapes have become in great demand - without precise focusing, always with the mood that either the author or the weather brings to the landscape. The compilers of numbered drawing are inspired a lot by the works of Cal Gajimi - they are complex, but they have a special charm of urbanism.

• Rural... The rural landscape is no less popular than the urban one. Especially rural pastoral motives - quiet, deserted, simple. Most often these are summer sketches, nature waking up in the morning (fog, dew), there is no active color scheme, but the one that is, is very thin, with light transparency.

• Mediterranean... These works become a reminder of a vacation in the south of Italy, or even a way to visit these places, at least through their image. It is always heat, dazzling sun, sea views, natural splendor. There is a lot of color, often these are works of the highest complexity.

• Oriental... Japanese and Chinese landscapes are both sakura in bloom and nature, which is helped by an obedient and hardworking Asian. Winter rarely appears in such pictures, autumn themes are also rare, but spring is the leader in consumer demand. Structures typical of the architecture of these countries may also appear.

• Yuzhny... From the same Italy to the Crimean beauties - there are a lot of options. Those landscapes where the sea is present are more in demand. Such paintings also require special detailing, they have a lot of color, a lot of light accents and shadows. Will look good in a room where there is a lack of sunlight.

• Mountain... The uniqueness of such landscapes is that winter and summer meet on the same plane, in completely natural, unthinkable conditions. Winter experiences are the peaks of snow-covered mountains, while summer experiences are the flowers growing at their foot.

Those who have never tried to draw by numbers or have not the most successful experience are afraid that they will not be able to move according to the scheme, that what they will receive will not look like a sample.

10 tips for beginners:

• In landscapes, the technique of movement from the center to the edges is considered convenient, especially if the compositional center is in the middle of the canvas.... So the main drawing quickly becomes noticeable, and it is problematic to smear the paint, drawing in this way.

• A prerequisite for successful work is good lighting. It is more convenient to sit by the window during the day, and by the table lamp in the evening. If the light is insufficient, you can make a mistake in choosing a shade or not see exactly how the picture is coloristically solved.And the boundaries of the sites may not be noticeable enough.

• It is better to rest your hand on the support - so there is less risk of making strokes unequal in saturation, going beyond the contour, lubricating the already applied paint.

• The set has everything, but it is better to take an extra napkin. And blot the brush with it every time after washing, so that the dry cloth absorbs excess water. Still, paints are not used in watercolors, acrylic does not need a lot of water.

• If the picture is drawn, and the paint is still left, you can use it to create the relief of individual elements of the work. For example, draw foliage on branches or grass, and so on. So the work will more and more resemble a real oil painting.

• When the paints are dry, the painting can be varnished. If it is not in the set, any decorative varnish, matte or glossy, can be used.

• The picture can be placed both on the table and on the easel... It's a matter of personal comfort. Someone draws exclusively while standing, which is normal.

• Beginners should start with lighter colors, gradually progressing to darker shades. This is a good way to correct the mistake in time: if the paint is outside its zone, you can paint it over with a brighter or darker color.

• The strategy "from more color to less" is not for beginners. This needs to be calculated. But it is beneficial: first, the fragments that require a maximum of one paint color are painted. So less often you will have to rinse the brush.