My Paint-by-Number Collection.
This is a post I’ve been wanting to write for a loooong time. I’ve collected many things throughout my life so far, mostly little doodads and things that have never really stuck and probably have made their way into a number of Goodwills by now. None, however, has been more thrilling than my paint-by-number collection.
If you’re not familiar with paint-by-numbers, you can usually pick them out by their distinct aesthetic. The colors are not usually blended, each color creates a shape, sometimes simple and sometimes more complex, but the idea is that each color is assigned a spot to create a composition. Much like in contemporary paint-by-number’s (PBN’s as I like to call them) they are designed for the masses so that anyone could paint them. That’s one of the reasons I love them so much. It’s approachable art. No real ‘skill’ is required although it does require a certain craft to keep the lines neat. After so many years I could pick one out from a mile away.
Pictured in the center is the piece that started it all. Flanking it on either side are a pair of birds that I purchased from a friend in 2021.
For me, the fascination started when I was in college, in the early 2010’s. I was perusing a local antique shop and stopped when I saw this painting. I couldn’t pin point why I loved the painting so much. Something about the composition and colors and how it was painted. Before then I had not seen anything like that before. The gal at the shop informed me that it was called a paint-by-number, a style of painting that was particularly popular in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. For the longest time that was the only one I had.
2016 was a good year for PBN’s for me, I added a mountain scene (one of my favorites to this day), a seascape, a Japanese-themed port scene and a mill scene. I love how the mill scene and the Japanese port scene feel very complementary in their color scheme. This is purely coincidental. I also found them in matching wood frames so they must’ve come from the same previous owner. All 4 of these came from an antique mall near Dayton, OH.
After 2016 I went many many years without obtaining any new ones. Life happens and moves and transitions and it slipped from my mind. Cut to 2021 and it was another BIG year for new acquisitions for me.
The painting on the left I acquired in December of 2021 and the sailboat scene on the right was acquired in April of this year. Price wise these were about $12 and $9, respectively.
One of my favorite recent finds (January 2022). It reminds me of Ohio and the drives through Amish country we did as kids. A STEAL at $24 from the antique mall.
The rose still life on the top shelf and the still life scene in the image on the right were purchased from the same booth at my favorite antique mall, at different times, both were between $10-12 each - lucky me! The flower bouquet painting on the bottom shelf was purchased at a yard scale for $5, I believe - again, SCORE!
This was a Christmas gift from my sister, who totally enables by PBN obsession. I love it so much!
This set of 3 paintings here has such a special story to me. I was visiting my sister in Nebraska (the very same who gifted me the PBN flamingo scene) in October of 2021 and we were at an antique mall in Lincoln when by providence I stumbled on this original, unopened (still in wrapped plastic!) kit of 3 paint-by-numbers FOR $15. Be still by rapidly beating heart! It had the large scene at 16”x20” and two smaller 6”x8” canvases. The theme was Mediterranean Mornings - perhaps you’ve seen any of these in the wild? Well, as you can imagine the original paints were completely dried up, it was from 1971 after all. For my purposes I bought new acrylic paints and mixed the colors to match, as close as possible to the original set colors. They turned out pretty good I think! The two smaller paintings I completed in November of 2021 and the largest one I completed today (!) August 8, 2022. I was able to thrift some solid wood frames that fit each of these perfectly and all coordinate without being too matchy. I just love it!
As of today my collection stands at 17 (and always growing!) but perhaps you have questions swimming around in your mind. Like, why not just purchase all the paint by numbers you want online? What makes you pick some over others? Well, I’m so glad you asked! I have developed rules and guidelines that have guided me over the years. They’re not steadfast but they help keep my collection intimate and sentimental.
Catherine’s Rules for Purchasing Paint by Numbers:
They must be considered vintage, i.e. made no later than the 1970’s. Yes, there are tons of contemporary options for paint by numbers but if you’re a real die hard like me you know they’re just not the same. I find that the contemporary ones are super elaborate and the subject matter is just too all over the place. As the saying goes, they just don’t make them like they used to.
I only purchase paint by numbers IRL. While I love that we live in an age where you can find anything you want online, to me part of the thrill is finding the perfect piece when you’re least expecting it or when it’s tucked away in a little corner of a booth at an antique mall almost forgotten. It helps keep my collection feeling really special because I think in a way they find me you know?
I generally only purchase landscape scenes. To me, there is something so idyllic and pastoral about a scene from nature. I have strayed from this somewhat as my collection also includes some still life’s and birds. Birds are the only animals I will purchase. They should also be in good condition, i.e. the painter created clean lines and there is no major discoloration.
I will NOT pay more than $40 for a paint by number. And even that was pushing it for me, since I have spent way less on them before. While they are special to me you have to keep in mind that as a whole paint by numbers were mass produced and made for the common man to complete, which means theoretically there are hundreds or thousands of the same exact painting floating out there. Maybe you even have the same paintings I do! When I see paint by numbers at an antique mall for $60, $80, even over $200 once (!!) I just have to laugh but just like any collectible, the value is up to the buyer and how much they’re willing to spend to have that perfect piece in their collection.
This slideshow shows some paint by numbers I’ve come across in the wild but didn’t make the cut. They were probably not the right subject, too expensive (!!), not great quality, etc.
I think paint by numbers are seeing a surge of popularity. My theory is that during the pandemic it was a nice, calming activity for some people and it caused a resurgence in the some of the originals, which probably explains the price tags on some of these puppies. I think like anything else the prices will even out again.
So what do you think of paint by numbers? Are you a fan? Maybe you have seen some before and didn’t notice them or know what they were called. Let’s discuss in the comments, I love sharing thrift stories!
