Switching colors is a routine part of paint by numbers, and a brush can carry a little pigment from one pot to the next. Keeping colors separate starts with a simple habit: check the kit instructions, clean or change the brush as directed, and keep rinse water away from open paint and the canvas.

Brushes and paints vary by product. This guide offers general organization tips, not a substitute for the care directions supplied with your selected kit. Do not use a cleaner or solvent unless the manufacturer says it is suitable.

For acrylic brushes generally, Winsor & Newton’s acrylic brush-cleaning guide recommends removing excess paint, rinsing, gently washing with cool water and mild soap, reshaping the brush, and letting it dry. Follow your kit’s instructions if they differ.

Set up before opening paint

Choose a stable table and place the canvas, color key, and paint pots where they are easy to reach. Set out a clean towel or other surface for a brush between colors. If your kit directions call for water, use a separate cup and keep it away from the canvas and paint pots. A crowded work area makes it easier to knock over supplies or mix colors by accident.

Open only the colors you expect to use next. Keep the number key visible and return each pot to the same spot after checking its label. This reduces the chance of picking up a brush and dipping it into a neighboring color.

Check the kit’s cleaning directions

Before cleaning, read the care instructions provided with your kit. If they specify rinsing, follow that method and use only the recommended materials. Remove excess paint in the way the directions allow, then rinse or wipe the brush as instructed. Avoid assuming that one cleaning approach suits every paint formula or brush.

Keep the canvas covered or away from splashes while you clean. Do not place a wet brush over open paint pots. If the instructions do not explain how to clean the brush, ask the seller or manufacturer rather than adding a household cleaner or solvent.

Keep colors from mixing

After cleaning, check the bristles for visible pigment before moving to a lighter color. If color remains, repeat only the method specified by the kit or switch to another suitable brush if one is available. Avoid pressing a wet brush into a paint pot; excess moisture can alter the paint in ways the kit maker may not intend.

When returning to the canvas, match the numbered area with the color key and pot label again. If you are not sure whether the brush is clean, take a moment to check rather than risk carrying a dark color into a pale area.

Rest a brush safely between colors

Do not leave a brush across an open pot or where it can roll onto the floor. Place it on the clean surface you prepared, with the bristles protected from dust and contact with the table. Follow the kit’s instructions if they describe a holder or a particular way to store the brush during a session.

Avoid leaving a brush soaking unless its care directions explicitly recommend that. Prolonged contact with water or another liquid may not suit every brush. Close paint pots while you work on another color and keep the workspace free of spills.

Clean up when you pause

At the end of a session, follow the kit instructions for cleaning and storing brushes. Close the paint pots, return the color key and tools to the kit, and protect the canvas as directed. Our first-session guide covers a basic table setup; the kit checklist explains where to confirm supplies. Explore current designs in the paint by numbers collection.

Read the product listing for the specific design you own. Included brush types and care notes can vary, so use the current item information as your reference.

If paint has dried on a brush

Do not scrape the bristles or reach for a solvent without checking the manufacturer’s directions. A brush with dried paint may not be recoverable using the routine cleaning steps intended for fresh paint. Contact the seller with the kit name if the care guidance is not clear. This avoids applying a method that could damage the brush or create an unwanted result.

Keep the cleaning area separate from the painting area. A cup, towel, or brush rest that touches wet paint should not be moved over the canvas. Before changing colors, check that the brush is clean and that your next pot is the one shown in the color key. A short pause to reset the tools is simpler than trying to correct a color transfer later.

Frequently asked questions