Does anyone do Paint By Numbers anymore?

Not since I was 10 or so but it was fun....didn’t think of it for years. Nostalgia.

My mother did them as a way to occupy herself when she stopped drinking. She wasn't a disaster of an alcoholic, but she found the precision that was needed helped her regain some nerve control in her hands. They shook a bit from drinking so having to stay in the lines really helped her concentrate and develop some muscle control. She was a lovely woman who I admired greatly. While others may scoff at their naiveté, in a way they helped save my family.

DL has hit a new low.

I used to do these all the time as a kid; I always wanted to be artistic, but my woeful work even on PBN paintings clearly indicated I was not artistic at.all.

Puzzles were also popular. I guess we have new toys now.

R3 that's funny, but I was sincere. DL is not always the best platform for that.

They never give you enough paint

I should do it now since I'm bored out of my freaking skull staying at home. Looks fun to me!

I like finding them at thrift stores. They have a great look, especially the ones of birds.

I liked them, but it's damn near impossible to find the real thing anymore. Years ago they changed the pencils to skinny magic markers; yet another example of the dumbing down of things. I do, however, have a bunch of 'adult' (no, not that kind of adult) coloring books and my Crayolas. Very calming. But I miss the PBN experience..

Adult coloring books were the big rage back in 2015? or so.

I liked them, but it's damn near impossible to find the real thing anymore. Years ago they changed the pencils to skinny magic markers; yet another example of the dumbing down of things.

I vaguely recall the acrylic paint being rather potent, particularly in a place that wasn't well ventilated. It might be a safety thing

I do small PBN "canvases" but I use paint pens since I'm terrible with paint brushes.

They have tons of color by number apps

I do some every once in a while.

My mom does them daily on her iPad. along with puzzles and item-find games and Cookie Jam.

I always wondered what would happen if someone creative decided to go outside the lines a bit and make the brush strokes a little more interesting, rather than just filling each little marked area. It would probably make for a neat picture if they provided enough paint.

I say just toss those fuddy-duddy instructions and paint each numbered shape any old color you want! Oh, the heck to with it... just paint! Have fun! HAVE FUN!

R16 = Nina from Joymakers

R16 R17

Paint by numbers was designed by psychologists in the 1950's for patients on Thorazine who wore straightjackets and could only paint with their feet.

Even though the general public could later buy the sets in stores, the target market never really changed.