Shoutout to my mum, who unwittingly, years ago, made a comment that would stick with me, but irk me. And trigger me into a spiral, which would then lead to an epiphany a decade later.

I used to paint these portraits, and they would be block colours, instead of gradient, and one day my beautiful mum said to me: “so, it’s just like paint by numbers?” and at the time, it really got under my skin. Because, well, yes. It was. I would create a stencil, and create an artwork with a guide. But in the back of my mind, I begrudgingly thought : “You might think it’s childish, but, I can create the paint by numbers guide, I bet you can’t do that!”. Can you half tell my inner teenager was being a sook? What I could have heard if I hadn’t been on the defensive was what she was actually hinting at (which I later confirmed) was that she was in awe that I could create something so detailed and break it down into something so simple and achievable.

But still, I had it in my head that it was too simple. Too childish. So, I didn’t really do anything with it out of shame. And oh what a shame it would be.

Fast forward, it took me maybe 10 years after this innocent comment, to paint in that style again. And it just so happened to be that when I accepted it, that it would be my best mural yet. And if I am honest, I still question it from time to time, but then I get to roll it out on a large scale with other people involved, to paint a paint by numbers mural and that self doubt gets blown into a million pieces.

And then it dawned on me… aren’t all murals, that I paint at least, just big paint by numbers?

Casuarina Senior College, Darwin NT. This mural was one big paint by numbers

What exactly is Paint By Numbers (PBN)?

Sounds familiar, hey. Remember when you were younger, and you would be given a colouring in page, wit a colour guide to follow, to create the “perfect” work of art? Well, I do those. But WAYYYYY bigger. A photocopier couldn’t even print a page big enough for what I like to paint by numbers.
The number one thing I get told when I am painting by passers by is: '“ I could never do that” or, “how do you know what goes where?”
Well, I create a template. And if I am lucky, I transfer it on, and create a painting guide to fill it all in. Sometimes just parts are PBN, sometimes it’s the whole design. But more about that later.
So, much like this panda illustration - it the template to a design. And that design can be made GIANT- courtesy of moi, and popped on your wall, or on a giant popup and portable board.

How does it work on a larger scale?

By now, you’ve figured out that if you were colouring in a page, it’s as simple as correlating the colours to the numbers and hey presto, off you go. It’s not that different to when you do something like this large scale. Except you use paint. You could also create a giant PBN artwork with aerosol, or even chalk on the sidewalk- but whatever you do, the key to it working is having a plan.

Have your colours ready. Paint, chalk, aerosol, poscas, pencils, sharpies. Multiple colours. Multiple shades. Make sure they match the guide.
Gather as many shapes and sizes of brushes possible. Your brushes will determine the outcome of each stroke. Got small tight sharp corners to fill in? Don’t go using a bohemeth wall paint brush. Smaller is better.
Determine the surface you’re painting it on. Is it a wall, or something more portable and malleable?
Do you want to keep your masterpiece, or do you want to have fun and then say sayonara? (Nobody ever really says sayonara to them in my experience).
Gather your strength, patience, and an open mind. As with all murals, it will have a messy beginning, middle and nearly end- but then I come in and tidy it all up or outline it for you.
Have a plan. Choose a number, and stick with it until they are all filled in. If you are working with a team, assign everyone a number (or colour) and work around one another.
HAVE FUN for goodness sake. You’re creating a fun piece of art, not operating on someones brain.

Why would you do a Paint By Numbers?

In my experience, one of the most satisfying feelings is discovering that you are in fact capable of something you once assumed you weren’t. I used to teach Paint and Create classes in Darwin, and much like whilst I am painting murals, the one thing I would hear on repeat was: I can’t paint a stick figure. My response, was always, “just you wait, I will guide you through it, and I guaruntee you will surprise yourself”.

That’s what I want to create with these giant artworks. Collaborations that bring people together, to work towards a common goal, knowing they had a hand in creating something super fun, on a huge scale- and that they surprise themselves. We are always capable of more than we give ourselves credit for.

Painting a Paint By Numbers artwork together promotes not only inclusivity and collaboration, team work and team building, but fosters self confidence, creativity, a sense of calm, and childlike joy.

Students at Adelaide Uni work on an O-Week Paint By Numbers Artwork guided by Gen and Tonic Art

Who is Paint By Numbers for?

Everyone. Honestly, if you can hold a brush, and know your numbers or colours (I can help anyone with this!), it’s for you. I can tailor the illusration to be simple for the little ones, or a little more detailed for the adults. There can be words, flowers, patterns, or numbers to paint. If I can draw it, you can fill it in with paint.

But really, the people who I want to work with in creating these fun works, is anyone who is ready to get their hands a little dirty, and have a play. They are not meant to be scary. They are meant to be enjoyable, a new experience, and leave you feeling fulfilled (especially if you hang around to see it unfold to the end).

If you’re more of a “fly by the seat of your pants” kind of painter, I can also create giant stencils, without the numbered guides, for you to have a bit more creative freedom. More on this in a future blog.

What are the benefits to creating a Paint By Numbers artwork?

Aside from it being a heck of a lot of fun, you can create something long lasting, and inspirational for your class, team, office, or community space. You can make new friends, learn a new skill, tap into your inner child, and get into “the zone”.

When working on a PBN, the guide is there, you just have to trust in the process. You get to work on something different, uniquely created for you, by you (and me) and you have me guiding and working alongside you the whole time. I don’t just drop the stencil and make a mad dash for the door- I am going to hold your metaphorical hand the whole time. If I actually for real held your hand, nobody would be painting now would they?

What makes a G+T Paint By Numbers special?

Me. Well- me and you together, my dearest reader. No two works I create are the same, and no two experiences will be the same either. I supply all the designs (pre drawn and planned in collaboration with you), paints, brushes, drop sheets, tables, buckets etc, and I work out the nitty gritty of getting the rest of the supplies if required (giant cardboard, temp fences, big canvases, wooden boards etc).

It is an opportunity for you to build closer relationships with those around you, and even yourself, as you work towards this common goal, of creating something wildly colourful and energetically charged. It will leave you feeling very high vibe and like you can achieve anything!

You too, can feel like a rainbow when painting on this scale.

Can Gen create a custom Paint By Numbers design for me?

Yes, yes and another yes. Designs can be tailored to your workplace, an event, your school, a person (hello fun hens party activity!), if I can draw it- I can turn it into a Paint By Numbers.

How do I get you to come and create a Paint By Numbers for my group?

Well this part is easy. Send me an email!