If someone wasn’t “good” at art in school, it may not even occur to them to try their hand at it again as an adult. But there’s a key difference: Now no one is being graded, there are no assignments, and, most importantly, the idea is to help people manage stress—not create it. There are many different types of art therapy to explore, so it may take some trial-and-error before finding one that truly helps with relaxation. For some people, paint-by-number kits offer the meditative, relaxing escape they need. Yes, the same paint-by-number kits many people may have received as a present as a child, where there is a black-and-white drawing on a piece of paper or canvas, with each section marked with a number that corresponds to a particular color. This gives people the opportunity to take advantage of the calming aspects of painting, without having the stress of having to come up with a design, or how to color it. Paint-by-number kits can be an effective stress management tool for people of any age—particularly if they deal with anxiety (though it may be a little advanced for toddlers). When purchasing a paint-by-number kit, there are several things to keep in mind, like whether you’d rather paint larger areas or smaller details, and the kind of paint included with the kit. Here, the best paint-by-number kits to help you shed some stress. Each of the paintings is based on an original photo, so the Pink Picasso kits tend to result in more realistic-looking and polished final products. One particularly useful feature is that the kits come with a backup map of all the numbers. This way, if you miss (or accidentally paint over) one while you’re in your blissed-out, relaxed state, there’s nothing to stress about (defeating the purpose of this stress-reducing activity). And though everyone paints at their own speed, these kits come with an estimated amount of time it could take to complete the painting. For example, “Sensitive Succulents” takes most people around 12 hours to finish. Time may not be a factor for everyone, but for those who like to go into a project with some type of plan and timeline, this is another helpful detail. The Colorwork DIY kit comes in attractive packaging, making it ideal for a gift—especially for someone who could use a little more zen in their life right now. Plus, once it’s completed, this doesn’t look like the product of a typical paint-by-numbers kit and could be easily integrated into someone’s interior decor—serving as a tangible reminder of what they can accomplish when they slow down and take a breath. While the design may look simple, this painting may be deceptively more intricate than expected. But the key here is remembering that this isn’t a race: the whole point of painting-by-numbers is to be a relaxing activity to help reduce stress. Plus, as at least one study has shown, flowers make people happy, so this particular painting may also help boost your mood. The 8 x 8-inch canvas in this kit is smaller than most of the “adult-sized” versions, but that’s not necessarily a good—or bad—thing. The smaller size may be easier for little hands to work with, and more proportional to their height. On the other hand, bigger canvasses (and pictures) may give beginning painters a little more leeway when it comes to getting the right colors in the right places.
At the same time, people with especially poor vision may have difficulty with the project, or may want to use a magnifying glass while working on it. And this is a great beginner kit for anyone, regardless of the quality of their vision. One particularly useful feature of the kit is that it comes with a wrinkle-free canvas, that’s ready to go as soon as you unroll it—instead of having to wait around for it to flatten or iron. Of course, as an appreciator of the watercolor technique and final product, you’re already aware that this type of paint can be a little finicky to work with—especially if you’re not used to it. But this also offers another dimension to the mindful experience of painting: taking the time to pay attention to details like that, and the adjustments you need to make in order to accommodate the medium.
Difficulty:
This should be a relaxing activity, so pick a kit that matches your skill level. Trying to do an advanced painting as your first attempt may increase your stress, instead of decreasing it.
Size:
Most kits come with a canvas for a 16 x 20-inch painting. That is a good size for a beginner. And if you notice a kit that costs significantly more or less than the others, check the size of the canvas to see if it matches the price.
Design:
Paint-by-number kits may have a reputation as being as original and visually appealing as motel art, but with so many new companies getting in the game, the designs being offered are now ones you would willingly hang in your living room. If it seems like you’re only coming across duds, keep searching, or do a specialized search to help you find what you’re looking for.
Quality of Materials:
By their nature, paint-by-number kits are made to be discarded once the project is complete, so it makes sense that the quality of the canvas, paint, and paint brushes might be lower than if you were to go to an art supply store and buy everything individually. Still, some kits hold up better than others. Pay attention to whether the canvas is made of paper, or something stronger, like linen or cotton. Look at how other reviewers describe the paint and brushes included, to get an idea of whether the paints dry out quickly, or the brushes fall apart after one use.
Why Trust Verywell Mind?
As a seasoned health writer and editor with a special focus on mental health and well-being, Elizabeth Yuko, PhD understands how powerful stress-relieving activities can be for many people—as well as the fact that they’re not one-size-fits-all. With decades of first-hand experience dealing with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, she’s always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with stress and other mental health challenges. In addition to providing an escape, Dr. Leela R. Magavi, a psychiatrist and Regional Medical Director for Community Psychiatry says painting can help “quiet intrusive, ruminative thoughts and improve mindfulness, which can assuage pain and stress.” And according to Dr. Magavi, “painting can improve mindfulness and overall mood states. It can divert attention from painful rumination. It can slow breathing and enhance attention to bodily sensations.” Painting can also be a vehicle for self-reflection. “You can often tell a lot about your feelings while painting. Are your brush strokes really tough on the canvas? Are you selecting dark colors over bright colors? True self awareness can be challenging; painting encourages the practice of true mindfulness.” Painting can also aid in meditation. According to Tate, “many people experience calmer breathing and the surfacing of repressed emotions through the process of creating art.”
