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What Are Mini Paint by Numbers? A Beginner’s Guide

New to mini Paint by Numbers? Learn how the numbered canvas works, what is included in a small framed kit and how to choose your first design.

What Are Mini Paint by Numbers? A Beginner’s Guide – Mini Paint by Numbers UK

Mini Paint by Numbers are smaller versions of the traditional numbered painting kit. The canvas is divided into sections, each section has a number, and each number corresponds to a paint colour.

In short: you match the numbered paint to the numbered area until the picture is complete. No drawing is required.

How does Paint by Numbers work?

The printed outline does the planning for you. Choose a colour, find the matching numbers on the canvas and fill those sections. You can work colour by colour or complete one part of the image at a time.

What comes in a mini Paint by Numbers kit?

Our current 20×20 cm framed kits include:

  • A pre-stretched numbered canvas.
  • The acrylic paint colours required for the design.
  • Brushes.
  • A wooden tabletop easel for painting or display.

Are mini kits good for beginners?

They can be. The smaller physical format feels more manageable than a large canvas, especially if you are unsure whether you will enjoy the hobby.

Difficulty still depends on the design itself. A small canvas can contain fine detail, so choose the image as carefully as the size. Read Small Paint by Numbers for Beginners for a fuller choosing guide.

How long does a mini kit take?

There is no single honest time. The amount of detail, number of colours and your painting pace all matter. You can work through a kit over several short sessions rather than trying to finish at once.

For more detail, see How Long Does a 20×20 Paint by Numbers Kit Take?

Mini Paint by Numbers vs 40×50 cm

The 20×20 cm kits are framed and include an easel. The 40×50 cm kits arrive rolled and include double paint quantity. Choose the smaller format for a compact first project and the larger format if you want more canvas and a longer activity.

Prefer markers to paintbrushes?

Our sister creative format, Paint By Dots, uses printed dot canvases and precision markers instead of paint.

Learn what dot painting is and how it works →

Why people use them as a screen-free hobby

Once the kit is open, you do not need a phone, app or tutorial to continue. That makes Paint by Numbers useful for people looking for an offline hobby for quiet evenings.

What should you look for before buying?

  • Exact canvas size.
  • Whether the canvas is framed or rolled.
  • What materials are included.
  • Whether the design is currently in stock.
  • A subject you would actually enjoy painting and displaying.

Eligible non-mural kits can be mixed in our Any 3 for £21.99 final clearance offer.

Ready to start painting? Continue with How to Paint by Numbers: Step-by-Step Beginner Guide and 15 Paint by Numbers Tips for Beginners.

Start small

Shop this guide.

Compact 20×20 cm framed kits with everything needed to begin.

Any 3 eligible non-mural kits for £21.99. The clearance discount applies automatically when three eligible kits are in the basket.
See the final clearance →

Continue from here

Start with a smaller kit.

Compare the smaller framed kits with our longer 40×50 projects, or browse screen-free hobbies by the kind of evening you want.

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